Directed by
John De Bello
Made by
New World Pictures
Discover the intricate plot of Return of the Killer Tomatoes! (1988). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
As the world tries to move on from the Great Tomato War, Wilbur Finletter, celebrated for his brave actions in defeating the insidious forces of killer tomatoes, has turned his newfound fame into a thriving business called Finletter’s Pizzeria. This popular establishment serves delicious pizzas, ensuring none of those feared tomatoes make their way into the recipes. Helping him run the pizzeria is his nephew Chad Finletter, who lives with Matt Stevens, a charming ladies’ man.
But not everyone is ready to put the past behind them. The villainous Professor Mortimer Gangreen, the mastermind behind the previous chaos of the Great Tomato War, is busy plotting a new scheme. With the help of his loyal sidekick Igor, he devises a nefarious plan to create a new wave of tomato terror. Gangreen is still haunted by his defeat, which was largely due to the terrible song “Puberty Love,” and this time, he has an ingenious idea: harnessing the power of music to empower his tomatoes.
By constructing a bizarre device that submerges regular tomatoes in toxic waste before placing them into a transformation chamber paired with a jukebox, Gangreen discovers that he can transform tomatoes into various forms depending on the tune being played. For instance, Michael Jackson’s tracks can produce lookalike clones of the King of Pop, while the Miami Vice theme might give rise to replicas of Don Johnson. Music that is seductive can turn tomatoes into stunning beauties, while rock—his personal favorite—creates an army of tomato soldiers ready to obey his command.
With this new weapon, Gangreen plans to rescue his imprisoned ally Jim Richardson and install him as the President of the United States. To boost his efforts, he invents a captivating female replica named Tara—at first, she serves him loyally. However, as Tara grows disillusioned with Gangreen’s cruel treatment of a mutated tomato she nicknames FT (Fuzzy Tomato), she ultimately decides to flee to Finletter’s Pizzeria, where a romantic connection with Chad begins to blossom.
As the story progresses, a pressing financial crisis looms over the production. Characters break the fourth wall, engaging with the audience directly in a desperate attempt to attract funding by promoting various products. One of the suggestions is thrown out by Matt Stevens, who proposes using product placement, leading to humorous and wild demonstrations of consumer goods as they navigate their adventures.
Eventually, Tara makes her home with Chad and Matt, but Igor remains on the hunt. The story takes a turn when Chad, driven by curiosity, follows Igor’s trail to Dr. Gangreen’s lair, where he witnesses the bizarre sight of a tomato being transformed into a human. This unsettling discovery sends both Chad and Tara into a panic, and Tara soon finds herself captured by Igor and returned to her sinister creator.
Determined, Chad becomes convinced that a seemingly ordinary tomato he’s acquired from the underworld actually holds the spirit of Tara. Meanwhile, Matt seizes the opportunity, persuading Chad to utilize Gangreen’s machinery to restore his beloved. Their experiments result in a variety of unexpected creations, including visions of alluring women that catch Matt’s interest, yet their ultimate goal—rescuing Tara—remains just out of reach.
In response to their meddling, Dr. Gangreen retaliates by imprisoning Chad and Matt in his dungeon, where they discover Tara, who has so far managed to evade harm. As the three plot their escape, FT messages Wilbur, calling for the heroics he displayed in the first adventure to help save them once more.
As the final showdown approaches, Dr. Gangreen plans to use his transformation chamber with a countdown that threatens to turn Chad and Matt into tomatoes. With Tara still in his clutches, he seeks to execute his villainous blueprints for world domination. Just as hope seems lost, Wilbur and his team arrive, successfully thwarting Gangreen’s grim intentions and freeing Chad and Matt from their tomato-bound fate.
The ensuing battle is fierce, with Dr. Gangreen unleashing an army of transformed tomatoes equipped with weaponry, culminating in an intense standoff where Tara is threatened with a gas chamber and only rescued at the last moment by Chad and Matt. Unfortunately, exposure to the gas changes her forever as she retains her human form but is now permanently altered. The townsfolk celebrate their victorious battle against Dr. Gangreen, with FT hailed as a hero for his noble act of sacrifice to save everyone.
In a heartwarming conclusion, Chad and his newly humanized Tara ride off into the sunset, with Wilbur giving his blessing, while Matt revels in the aftermath, surrounded by an array of beauties—all made possible by the demise of the tomato menace and the whimsical adventures they’ve shared.
As the curtain closes on this chapter, a post-credits scene teases a new threat with an army of mutated carrot soldiers, setting the stage for potential chaos yet again.
Track the key events of Return of the Killer Tomatoes! (1988) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Wilbur Finletter's Rise to Fame
Following the Great Tomato War, Wilbur Finletter gains fame for his heroic actions against killer tomatoes. He capitalizes on this recognition by opening Finletter's Pizzeria, a popular establishment dedicated to ensuring that tomatoes are never included in his recipes.
The Return of Professor Mortimer Gangreen
Despite the defeat in the Great Tomato War, Professor Mortimer Gangreen plots his revenge. He teams up with his loyal sidekick Igor to devise a new plan aimed at creating a new wave of tomato terror, fueled by his lingering resentment over his past failures.
Gangreen's Ingenious Tomato Transformation
Gangreen designs a peculiar device that immerses regular tomatoes in toxic waste and then places them into a transformation chamber linked to a jukebox. This innovative method allows him to create various forms of tomatoes based on the music played, turning them into formidable adversaries.
Tara's Creation and Betrayal
To aid his villainous plan, Gangreen invents a captivating female tomato replica named Tara. Initially devoted to him, Tara becomes disillusioned with his cruel behavior towards a mutated tomato named FT and ultimately flees to Finletter’s Pizzeria, sparking a romantic connection with Chad.
The Fourth Wall Break
As financial troubles intensify, characters in the film break the fourth wall to engage with the audience. They humorously suggest product placements as a means to attract funding, leading to comical demonstrations that poke fun at consumerism.
Chad Follows Igor
Driven by curiosity about Igor's activities, Chad decides to investigate and follows him to Dr. Gangreen’s facility. There, he witnesses the disturbing transformation process of a tomato into a human, which instills a sense of panic in both Chad and Tara.
Tara's Captivity
After Chad's discovery, Tara is captured by Igor and returned to Gangreen's lair. The tension mounts as Chad and his friends formulate a daring plan to rescue her from the villain's clutches while grappling with their own predicament.
Desperate Rescue Plan
Chad believes he possesses an ordinary tomato holding the spirit of Tara. Encouraged by Matt, they utilize Gangreen's transformation machinery in hopes of reviving Tara, leading to bizarre and unexpected outcomes during their experiments.
Imprisonment in the Dungeon
As a response to their meddling, Dr. Gangreen captures Chad and Matt, imprisoning them in his dungeon. In this dark setting, they discover Tara, who has managed to evade danger so far, prompting a collaborative escape effort.
The Call for Help
While trapped, FT manages to reach out to Wilbur, calling for the heroics he displayed in the previous adventure. This plea sets the stage for a comeback as Wilbur prepares to rescue his friends and confront the villain once again.
Showdown with Gangreen
As the final confrontation approaches, Dr. Gangreen activates his transformation chamber with a countdown. The stakes are high as he intends to turn Chad and Matt into tomatoes, while Tara remains in his possession.
Battle Against Transformed Tomatoes
The climax erupts into a fierce battle between Wilbur’s team and Gangreen’s army of combat-ready transformed tomatoes. As the chaos unfolds, Chad and Matt must save Tara from the brink of disaster as her life hangs in the balance.
The Sacrifice of FT
In a moment of heroism, FT sacrifices himself to save the townsfolk from Gangreen's evil plans. The selfless act solidifies his status as a hero, garnering admiration and appreciation from the grateful community.
A New Beginning
With the defeat of Gangreen, Chad and Tara embark on a fresh chapter in their lives as they ride off into the sunset together. Wilbur gives his approval, while Matt basks in the aftermath, surrounded by alluring companions.
Teaser for Future Chaos
As the story concludes, a post-credits scene hints at a new threat looming on the horizon, featuring an army of mutated carrot soldiers. This teaser builds anticipation for potential chaos that could disrupt their newfound peace.
Meet the characters that bring Return of the Killer Tomatoes! (1988) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Wilbur Finletter
Wilbur Finletter is a celebrated hero known for his bravery during the Great Tomato War. He channels his fame into running a successful pizzeria, showcasing his charm and resourcefulness. As a mentor and protector, his original heroism continues to inspire those around him, particularly his nephew Chad.
Chad Finletter
Chad Finletter is the nephew of Wilbur, characterized by his charm and adventurous spirit. He helps run the family pizzeria while navigating romantic developments with Tara. His curiosity propels him into action during the crises, embodying the youthful desire to prove oneself.
Professor Mortimer Gangreen
Dr. Gangreen is the eccentric villain still bitter from his defeat in the Great Tomato War. Resentful and cunning, he devises outrageous plans to wreak havoc once more, utilizing music and technology to transform ordinary tomatoes into soldiers. His grand ambitions and twisted genius make him a memorable antagonist.
Tara
Tara is a captivating female replica created by Dr. Gangreen who initially serves his interests. As she develops her own sense of agency and compassion, her interactions with Chad and her treatment by Gangreen challenge her loyalty, leading her to strive for freedom.
Uncover the settings of Return of the Killer Tomatoes! (1988), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
Post-Great Tomato War
The story unfolds in a period following the Great Tomato War, a time marked by recovery and rebuilding. As society tries to move beyond the chaos of sentient vegetables, lingering tensions exist between heroism and villainy, setting the stage for new conflicts and comedic misadventures.
Location
Finletter's Pizzeria, Dr. Gangreen's Lair
Finletter's Pizzeria is a popular eatery run by the brave Wilbur Finletter and his nephew Chad. Known for its delicious pizzas, the restaurant serves as a safe haven against the infamous killer tomatoes. In contrast, Dr. Gangreen's lair is a menacing fortress where he plots his nefarious schemes to unleash tomato terror once again.
Explore the core themes of Return of the Killer Tomatoes! (1988). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Music & Transformation
The theme of music playing a pivotal role in transformation is central to the plot. Professor Gangreen uses melodies to control and morph tomatoes into various forms, reflecting how art can both inspire and manipulate. The bizarre blend of humor and horror showcases the influence of music in both the absurdity and surprises within the storyline.
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Love & Loyalty
The romantic connection between Chad and Tara highlights themes of love and loyalty amidst chaos and danger. Tara’s journey from a loyal servant to someone who seeks independence encapsulates the struggle for personal freedom and connection. Their bond becomes a crucial motivation for heroism in the face of overwhelming odds.
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Conflict & Redemption
The conflict between good and evil is vividly depicted through the battle against Dr. Gangreen's antics. Themes of redemption are evident as characters seek to overcome their past and the mistakes of the Great Tomato War, pushing towards a brighter future, albeit with a humorous twist involving mutated vegetables.
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