Killer Tomatoes Eat France!

"Killer Tomatoes Eat France", which is the fourth and final installment in John DeBello's vegetable quadrilogy, is only my first acquaintance with the series. I love horror and I love comedy, but I'm usually very skeptical about a combination of both; especially when the storyline revolves on giant murderous tomatoes. But I watched this thing together with some friends and whilst heavily intoxicated and, you know, under these circumstances the silly premise isn't even half that bad. Typically, the French stereotypes and jokes are the funniest aspect in this film and actually often downright hilarious. The French are all peasants that live in really low-built houses and only consider fat women to be attractive. They read "Ze Times" and weave bread. The women are all called Marie and they're ready to have sex for free with every stranger that passes by. The story centers once more on the malignant Professor Mortimer Gangrene (John Astin having a blast again) and his killer tomatoes trying to take over the world. After he escaped from prison with the help of his loyal tomatoes, Gangrene entrenches himself in France in a really big castle (appropriately called Igor's really big castle) and kidnap a famous and furry tomato singer for one of his diabolical plans. It's entirely up to a random American tourist and a sexy French maid to save the world. There's also a sub plot stating that the war against the tomatoes will bring forward the new King of France, which makes this film actually a fairly witty parody on "The Man in the Iron Mask". According to most people who have seen the other three previous installments, unlike myself, this "fourth part in the trilogy" isn't as funny in comparison and the franchise is turning more and more children friendly. I can't really judge the other three films, but I did think this was reasonably funny and entertaining.

John DeBello provides us one final Killer Tomato movie and honestly that's probably a good thing.

Professor Gangreen and his incompetent lacky Igor have one more shot at world domination, this time involving an ancient prophecy and the king of France.

Much like the 3rd film there are laughs to be had but most is purile filler and the charm of the first film is thoroughly gone.

John Astin is great once again but the novelty is beyond being worn thin and as much as I think the franchise accomplished something it's definitely best that this film be it's death rattle.

Essential viewing for fans of the series, but as a standalone film this has very little to offer.

The Good:

Brilliant opening credits jokes

The Bad:

Generally very stale

Things I Learnt From This Movie:

Singing tomatoes are still better than 90% of the UK top 40

Bra's make great parachutes for fluffy talking tomatoes....wait, what?

The french armies ammunition of choice are baguettes

The Hunchback of Notre Dame isn't 100% certain but he has a hunch

I have expected a lot worse because of very low ranking on IMDb. Yes, this movie is definitely not a gem, but it is funny in a playful way. The jokes are mostly mild, I was not laughing aloud but I have definitely smiled for the most of the movie. At least this comedy is not filled with obscene jokes, farting and vomiting as is typical for low ranking comedies these days. So you can watch this movie with your kids as well.

The best part is probably "the war with the tomatoes" sequence. But other scenes are actually very good as well (the stories of the tourists suffering the endless tour in the castle). There is a ton of different books and movies being parodied in the movie, yet it is surprisingly not offensive towards the French too much. There is some baguette-waving and such jokes but fun is made at the expense of American school system as well. The "US school map" of Europe is really hilarious, I would like to buy one!

Not really great but definitely not waste of time either. Just a bit of moderate silly fun.

To all of you whom are calling this a horrible movie, get a clue. It wasn't made to compete in the Oscar run. It is pure schlock and silly, corny fun. A good laugh and just funny in a ridiculous way. Take it for what it's worth and don't over think it. Lots of fun. This is such a great franchise. I have seen interviews with many of the regular cast members and they don't take it seriously at all. Just good clean fun and silliness. I guess it doesn't take much to turn me on but I find them hysterical. L A U G H!!! If you can't laugh at them you need to relax and not take it so seriously. I love the stereotypes and the allusions to other age old stories. It must have been a lot of fun to work on.

The Killer Tomato movies are all great, but this one was the best. The Tomato puppets were fantastic, especially Fangmato. John Astin was once again great as Dr. Gangreen. I hope they make a 5th movie soon, I cant wait to see the Killer Tomatoes again. Also they really should release this movie on DVD along with the cartoon series from the early 90's. I think that too many people look down on these movies without even giving them a chance, or they watch them with the mindset of not liking them to begin with. If you like the first one, the second one, or the third one, then you will like this one. The one thing I think they should have done with this film is make a theme song for it, instead there is just an instrumental. The theme song is hilarious in the first movie, and then even better in Return of the Killer Tomatoes, so why stop making new songs!! Anyway, bottom line, if you are a fan of the other films, or a fan of comedies in general, you should watch this movie.