Attack of the Killer Tomatoes franchise returns horror comedy review
For nearly fifty years, the menace of the tomato has haunted the world. In 1978, the creative minds of John De Bello, Costa Dillon, and J. Stephen Peace unleashed the world to the “musical comedy horror show,” Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. This independent production did more than just entertain; it established a bizarre, bloody legacy that has kept the world of deadly fruit firmly in the shadows.
The franchise expanded, spawning a series of live-action sequels and an animated television series, cementing the idea that tomatoes were not merely vegetables but genuine, bloodthirsty balls of terror. But after a period of dormancy, the entertainment landscape felt empty—a distinct void where goofy, deadly fruit comedies were sorely missed. That age of doldrums is finally over, as the creators have returned to the kitchen to resurrect the legend.
Thirty years after their initial foray, Peace and Dillon have teamed up with director David Ferino to bring the mayhem back to life with Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence! This new installment is just as silly and ridiculous as its predecessors, proving that the concept of evil tomatoes remains perfectly ridiculous.
While the film is a welcome return for long-time fans of absurd comedy, it tackles the core premise with a fresh, slightly shaky continuity. The film cleverly ties back to the original concept, suggesting that the initial events were part of an attempt to cover up the truth of the Tomato War. Even as new threats emerge, the franchise maintains its core absurdity. Professor Mortimer Gangreen, the original mad scientist, remains animated, proving that some evil science is eternal.
The stakes are higher in this new era. Tomatoes are still evil, and the threat level continues to rise. Now, the struggle involves cutting-edge science and organic terror. A new force, VegIntel Organics, led by the adolescent prodigy Dr. Kate Patelle, has launched MyTomato, a seemingly benign but utterly sinister device that is completely organic and possesses living brain cells. The question is no longer just whether the fruit is murderous, but what horrifying organic intelligence it is developing.
To combat this escalating threat, a team of unlikely heroes is assembled. They include Admiral Simon Grant of Federal Vegetable Investigations, FVI Special Agent Marina Sifuentes, researcher Angela Kharsa, and diver Chad Rains. They must navigate the chaos, pulling in experts and other cast members to uncover the sinister origins of the tomato chaos.
The movie delivers on pure, fast-paced comedy, filled with jokes that fly at a furious pace. While it may not reach the legendary heights of some of the franchise’s past moments, the cast and filmmakers deliver strong performances. For anyone who appreciates dopey comedies and has followed the killer tomato saga for decades, this is a heartwarming and hilarious comeback that proves that some killer tomato nonsense is far from over.
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence is currently playing in select theaters and will be available for VOD release on October 6th.
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