Blu-ray Review: RETURN TO NUKE 'EM HIGH: VOLUME 1

RETURN TO NUKE 'EM HIGH:  VOLUME 1
Directed by Lloyd Kaufman
Distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment

  I can't tell you how happy I am to have seen this film.  I grew up loving Troma movies, they were great back in the 80s and 90's.   But there haven't been any good original Troma movies in quite some time in my opinion.  Troma hasn't put out on original movie in years.  Now they put out tons of DVD's each year, but they are just films that Troma has bought the rights to distribute....they aren't true Troma made films.   I grew up loving the TOXIC AVENGER films and films like SGT. KABUKIMAN N.Y.P.D.  I was extremely excited back in 2006 when a new Troma film was coming out.  That film was POULTRYGEIST:  NIGHT OF THE CHICKEN DEAD.   As excited as I was, I was a little let down by the film....it just didn't live up to the Troma standard I was used to.  Well, Troma is back with RETURN TO NUKE 'EM HIGH:  VOLUME 1, and I am proud to say that this is exactly what a Troma movie should be.  This feels like a Troma movie straight out of the 1980s when Troma was in it's prime.   Here is the plot synopsis from the RTNH official website:

  Quentin Tarantino has been a fan and friend of Troma for years, and when he made Kill Bill in two volumes to create an “Event Film,” Lloyd Kaufman took note. “Michael Herz and I decided that to mark Troma’s 40th year we, too, would produce an ‘Event Film’ in two volumes just like Quentin did,” says Kaufman, “except slightly less lavish in the budget area.” Return to Nuke ‘Em High: Vol. 1 & 2, directed by Lloyd Kaufman, is a hilarious, thoughtful sci-fi “Event Film” with themes ripped straight from today’s headlines: the contamination and degradation of the world’s food supply, rampant bullying, and LGBTQ love triumphing over prejudice and violence. The film, a revisiting of Troma’s 1986 Class of Nuke ‘Em High is in the same vein as other classics such as Class of 1984, Rock ‘n’ Roll High School, and Carrie, but seen through the unique vision of Lloyd Kaufman and the Troma Team. Welcome to Tromaville High School where, unfortunately, the glee club has mutated into a vicious gang of Cretins. Chrissy and Lauren, two innocent lesbian lovers, must fight not only the Cretins, mutants and monsters but also the evil Tromorganic Foodstuffs Conglomerate. Can they and Kevin the Wonder Duck save Tromaville High School and the world?

  I honestly don't remember the last time I had this much fun watching a Troma film.  This movie had everything you would expect from a Troma film and more.  One great thing about this movie was the humor.  While some jokes did fall a little flat, most were laugh out loud hilarious.  The movie was well written and paced perfectly.  There were never any slow or dull moments throughout the film's run time. All the great Troma characters and stereotypes were present, but also present were some great young actresses who played the leads of Chrissy and Lauren.  I expect to see much more from these two actresses in the future.  Oh, and I couldn't do a review of a Troma horror film without mentioning the crazy, over-the-top gore. There is plenty of that on hand here, so gore hounds will not be disappointed!

  RETURN TO NUKE 'EM HIGH:  VOLUME 1 will be available on DVD and Blu-ray on March 18th from Anchor Bay Entertainment.  Special features include the following:

·         Audio Commentary with Actors Zac Amico, Clay von Carlowitz, Catherine Corcoran, Stuart Kiczek and Asta Parades;

·         Audio Commentary with Writer/Producer/Director Lloyd Kaufman, Producer Justin A. Martell, Executive Producer Matt Manjourides, Associate Producer Regina Katz and Writer Travis Campbell;

·         Casting Conundrum;

·         Pre-Production Hell with Mein-Kauf (Man);

·         Special (Ed) Effects;

·         Cell-U-Lloyd Kaufman: 40 Years of TROMAtising The World;

·         “Architects of Fear – Edison Device” Music Video

·         Return To Nuke ‘Em High, Vol. 2 trailer 

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to pre-order the DVD
CLICK HERE to pre-order the Blu-ray