RETURN TO NUKE 'EM HIGH VOL 1

2013 / Director/ Lloyd Kaufman.

This is NUKE 'EM HIGH for a new generation. It begins with a self referential recap of the original films and glazes over parts 2 and 3 and finally concedes that this is both a remake and sequel. IMDb trivia states that Quentin Tarantino suggested that Lloyd Kaufman split the movie into two volumes, to which Kaufman leapt at the idea. The result of dividing the movie leads to a lot of padding. There's a lot of wadding stuffed into this movie to stretch it out but thankfully it's mostly fun. It's great to be back in familiar territory and you get the sense that Kaufman and the folks at Troma are feeling pretty nostalgic about it. Now that it's no longer "hip" to make political statements about nuclear energy, they've ignored the enviro angle and gone with a basic toxic infection concept. An organic food joint is built on the old power plant site and their ingredients are consumed by students. Thus begins the old formula. The Kredents are back and so are the nerdy classmates lining up for depravity. In typical Troma style the movie is packed with naked chicks, blood & gore, giant cocks and a variety of politically incorrect antics. There is also a very cool narrative from the legendary Stan Lee (he's been a champion of Troma for years). If you've become accustomed to the explicit nature of Troma over the past several years with films like POULTRYGEIST, CITIZEN TOXIE and TERROR FIRMER then you might want to lower your expectations. RETURN TO NUKE 'EM HIGH is a return to some of Troma's 80's sensibilities and is suitably restrained in comparison to those other recent films... this gives it a nice Troma charm. I would have preferred the movie in one single instalment but there's part of me that loves the anticipation of Volume 2. Bring it on!! Heaps fun. 

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