Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, Special Edition

They're back! No, I'm not talking about those pesky poltergeists in the television set. I'm talking about the killer tomatoes. Before returning for...well...Return of the Killer Tomatoes, the carnivorous vegetables…I mean fruits…were introduced to the world in the classic low-budget tour de force Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. Now, that classic is available on DVD in a Special Collector's Edition with a whole garden of extras (as well as a spiffy movie poster and a cool box).

For those who have never seen the film, the name is a fairly good summary of its premise. Tomatoes have taken on some sort of sentience and have begun eating humans. An amusing crack team is then assembled to study and take care of the problem. Will they succeed or will ketchup replace humans on the food chain? Full of slapstick antics and wacky sight gags, the movie hits on everything from ridiculous conspiracies in the government to political ineptitude. The movie's music is just as memorable as the film itself, from its trademark opening theme to the wretchedly hilarious "Puberty Love". Just about everything here, from the script to the acting to the music, hits a perfect balance of wacky absurdity and intelligent satire.

Fans of the film will find an almost unparalleled smattering of extras, from the original 8mm "demo" version of the film to Do They Accept Traveler's Checks in Babusuland, another inspirational 8mm movie. There are informative audio commentaries for both 8mm films as well as the feature. You'll also find deleted scenes, trivia, ads and trailers, numerous featurettes, and a sing-a-long feature that plays certain musical scenes in the movie with song lyrics and a bouncing tomato displayed at the bottom of the screen. It really has just about everything a Killer Tomatoes fan could ask for and then some.

On the technical side, the quality of the picture and audio isn't always perfect. However, with the semi-low-budget source material and the fact that the film is 25 years old, this is probably the best transfer you're likely to find. The few little glitches that are present usually amount to small sound flaws, apparently from the original source, that are often barely noticeable much less distracting. With all factors considered, it's really an impressive and almost immaculate DVD presentation of the film.

If you're a fan of Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, this special collector's edition DVD is probably a dream come true. If you've never seen the film, it's definitely worth at least a rental if not a purchase. With a great presentation of the classic film and a cornucopia of extras that puts most other DVD reissues to shame, the Attack of the Killer Tomatoes Special Collector's Edition DVD is certainly deserving of a spot in the DVD collection of any horror comedy lover.