Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!: Special Collector's Edition

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! is a film which does not inspire indifference: either you think this is the funniest thing in the world or you loathe it. Both sides of the aisle actually have strong arguments. To its credit, the film captures the self-important lunacy of the B-grade sci-fi flicks of the 1950s and much of its humor is wonderfully anarchic: the African-American spy as an incompetent master of disguise, a boy and his dog enjoying an unexpected Davey and Goliath moment, and the hilarious music score that includes both the exuberant title track and the wonderfully screechy "Puberty Love" pop tune used to squash the tomatoes. But at the same time, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! often seems like a great short buried inside a flabby feature, and the film actually began as an 8mm short that is included in this collector's edition DVD, along with audio commentary, a half-dozen featurettes, bonus footage and outtakes, and sing-along songs. Ultimately, this is strictly for fans of the film, who don't need to be convinced of its charms; everyone else will do well to pass on this ketchup. Optional. (P. Hall)