Movie Review: Attack of the Killer Donuts (2017)

Who remembers the movie Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978)? If you do then you then you're remembering an awesome classic. Well, the tomatoes had their chance to rule the world and failed. Now it's time for another food to try to seize the day and that food is... donuts! That's right, those glazed, sprinkled, cream-filled treats have had enough. So, watch out for Attack of the Killer Donuts (2017).

Attack of the Killer Donuts is a comedy/horror that has a eighty-six minute run time and is rated NR (not rated) but has violence and language. It was directed by Scott Wheeler and written by Nathan Dalton, Chris De Christopher & Rafael Diaz-Wagner. Even though the title pretty much tells you everything you need to know about the movie, here's what you'll be getting into.
Johnny and Michelle work at the Dandy Donuts shop where things are pretty much the same every day. Unbeknownst to them, today... is going to be a day to remember. After a chemical accident turns ordinary donuts into killer donuts, Johnny, Michelle and (Johnny's friend) Howard step up to try and save the town from being eaten. Now, these tasty killers have an advantage because of their size, speed, sharp teeth and sprinkle throwing abilities, but Johnny and his friends also have some advantages. Like the fear of being eaten alive, friendship and when all else fails, plenty of blunt objects to fight with. So, who do you think will win, the humans or the mutated deadly donuts? Yeah, I'm betting on the donuts to...


Now, going into this movie you have to look at the title and prepare yourself for what's coming. Just like Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, you can't think this film is going to be anything but a fun flick with a sprinkle of horror to living things up a bit. Otherwise, you won't be able to appreciate the film and will probably think it's just another crappy movie, but it's really not. Attack of the Killer Donuts is an independent low budget movie, but that's what makes the story so appealing. It's a super cheesy fun flick and it's a nice nod to some of the (late) 70's and 80's classic films.

The storyline is super simple and easy to follow, which adds to the fun of the film. You don't have to worry about keeping up with a bunch of stuff, you just sit back, watch the chaos and laugh. I think what makes Attack of the Killer Donuts so good is the average everyday characters mixed with the unreal scenarios they're put in. Between the jokes, gags and watching the donuts do their thing, there's plenty to keep you laughing. Even when the donuts are on their killing spree, some of the deaths are gross, but still, end up bringing a laugh. Now, there is some low brow humor in the movie, but I was expecting it.


The playthrough was good and I liked the pace the movie kept. You get introduced to the main characters pretty quick and before you know it everyone is fighting for their lives. There's plenty of moments to keep you entertained and laughing. I thought it was cool how nothing in the movie seemed forced. The storyline, humor, and characters fit smoothly together.

Some of the cast is Justin Ray (Disaster L.A.), Kayla Compton (King's Faith), Ben Heyman (Attack of the Killer Donuts), Michael Swan (Piranhaconda), C. Thomas Howell (The Outsiders), Fredrick Burns (Punching Henry) and Sean Smith (Gangsters and Zombies). The cast did a killer job with their characters, but I can't say anyone person really stood out to me. I do have to give some serious props to the cast considering they spent the whole movie working with something they couldn't see since the donuts were added later with CGI.


The special effects looked good and were very fitting to the film. The movie never gets gory, but the donuts do cause a lot of blood-soaked moments while on their killing spree. As much as I liked the movie, part of me would've liked to have seen the donuts parts done with practical effects instead of CGI. Yeah, the CGI made it possible for them to do more with the donuts and give them more of a personality, but watching someone fight off a real donut would have been awesome!

Overall, it's a fun horror flick and it's about killer donuts, so you know you want to give it a watch.

3 stars

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