Return to Nuke 'Em High Volume 1 Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded 1080p HD transfer of "Return to Nuke 'Em High Volume 1," presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, encapsulates the eccentricity of Troma films with an uneven, yet vibrant visual experience. Viewers will notice distinct HD characteristics, albeit inconsistent due to apparent reshoots captured with different equipment. The resulting footage showcases glaring disparities—newer scenes are markedly more colorful yet less defined, while original photography, although slightly duller, retains its intended cartoonish flair. Skin tones vary between natural pinks and slightly exaggerated hues, while black levels are impressively deep and pure, devoid of distracting solidification. Minor banding and occasional noise do appear but only cause minimal distraction in an otherwise clear presentation.

Troma’s dive into high definition offers an almost unfamiliar viewing experience—a far cry from the shoddy VHS quality typical of their earlier releases. This Blu-ray edition allows for a sharpness that brings out meticulous details in the schlocky goo and gore characteristic of Troma films. Colors burst off the screen with an overly saturated, zany allure, further emphasizing the film’s cartoonish ness. Although the mix of cameras used during shoots results in some noticeable differences in image quality, these discrepancies add to the film’s chaotic charm. Imperfections such as banding, aliasing, motion blur, and video noise serve as a testament to the film's outlandish character rather than detracting from it.

The audio presentation for "Return to Nuke 'Em High Volume 1" on Blu-ray is delivered in a 2.0 Dolby Digital sound mix, which proves adequate but leaves much to be desired. This mix successfully captures the manic energy of the film, with clear and defined dialogue exchanges that handle the fast-paced comedic elements and waves of panic effectively. Sound effects, while present and purposeful, fall short of enveloping the listener due to the inherent limitations of the 2.0 format. The atmospheric noises and chaotic auditory particulars associated with Troma's signature style are there but lack the depth and dynamism one might expect from a more robust audio track.

While the 2.0 mix manages to avoid distortion, it does feel rather subdued, particularly when considering the film’s potential for a more immersive experience. The soundtrack and score, featuring a range of cheesy tunes and heavy metal tracks, provide a fun backdrop but are notably underplayed within this audio setting. This is a missed opportunity, as a 5.1 DTS or Dolby Atmos track could have significantly amplified the visceral effects—slurps, licks, farts, and gore—that define this genre, utilizing surround channels to provoke deeper engagement. Despite maintaining a steady balance without any pops, cracks, or hissing, the mix nonetheless lacks the full-bodied resonance required to completely immerse viewers into Troma's intended cacophony.

In summary, while the 2.0 Dolby Digital mix delivers on essential clarity and avoids technical flaws, its limitations are evident in its inability to fully capture the chaotic energy of "Return to Nuke 'Em High Volume 1." This restrained audio presentation arguably undermines the film's unique atmospheric potential, resulting in a listening experience that feels too tame for the frenetic visual narrative it accompanies.

The Blu-ray extras for "Return to Nuke 'Em High Volume 1" provide comprehensive, entertaining insights into the film’s production. Commentary #1 features a lively discussion among actors Zac Amico, Clay von Carlowitz, Catherine Corcoran, Stuart Kiczek, and Asta Paredes, filled with behind-the-scenes stories and humor, mirroring the on-set camaraderie. Commentary #2, led by director Lloyd Kaufman and his team, delivers an in-depth technical analysis of production challenges, including camera work and design elements. Other extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes that explore the casting process, pre-production issues, special effects, and a retrospective of Troma Entertainment. A music video and teaser trailer round out the offerings. The supplementary materials are well-curated, offering a mix of humor and detailed production insights that fans will appreciate.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary #1: Lively discussion featuring actors.
• Commentary #2: In-depth technical insights with director and crew.
• Casting Conundrum: Highlighting Troma's unique casting process.
• Pre-Production Hell with Mein-Kauf(Man): Inside look at pre-production challenges.
• Special (Ed) Effects: Examination of the special effects process.
• Cell-U-Lloyd Kaufman: 40 Years of Tromatising the World: Retrospective of Troma Entertainment.
• Edison Device: Music Video by Architects of Fear.
• Teaser Trailer for Return to Nuke 'Em High: Volume 2: Preview of the sequel.

Lloyd Kaufman's "Return to Nuke 'Em High Volume 1" reboots the beloved Troma cult series, delivering a relentless barrage of gore, schlock, and un-PC humor. As the film opens with Stan Lee's narration, the plot centers around Tromaville High School post-nuclear disaster, now neighbored by Tromaganic Foodstuffs. CEO Herzkauf (played by Kaufman) uses contaminated water to produce irradiated organic meals. What follows is a cavalcade of B-movie extravagance: a school janitor's horrific encounter, acid meltings, and mutant transformations sparked by tainted tacos. We follow Chrissy and Lauren, two teens navigating a monstrous high school where the glee club members mutate into the violent Cretins. The chaotic narrative peaks with the duo morphing into a weaponized Lesbonic Jekyll & Hyde, battling the Cretins with outrageous mutant abilities.

Kaufman favors chaos over coherence, prioritizing rapid, text-based introductions to dive straight into the carnage. The film wallows gloriously in its grotesque splendor, utilizing digital shooting to maximize visual mayhem. Expect an unending stream of green ooze, bodily dismemberments, and bizarrely inventive deaths. The humor is defiantly tasteless, exploiting racial stereotypes and controversial references with abandon. Music interludes by the Minneapolis band RapeDoor add to the manic energy, especially their catchy yet disturbing track "Last Song." Despite endearing nods to its 80s roots and returning fan-favorite elements, the film's high-octane randomness can become overwhelming. While slow-burn tension or nuanced storytelling may be absent, what "Return to Nuke 'Em High Volume 1" lacks in subtlety, it more than makes up for in raw, unfiltered Troma madness.

"Return to Nuke 'Em High Volume 1" represents a nostalgic yet audacious attempt by Troma Entertainment to revisit and reboot their cult classic 'Nuke 'Em High.' Directed by Lloyd Kaufman, this Blu-ray release is a testament to Troma's undying commitment to delivering gory, sexually explicit, and unabashedly outrageous cinema. With a high-energy opening act, the film sets an ambitious tone that, while intermittently amusing, doesn't always maintain the level of excitement it initially promises. However, for dedicated Troma fans, it's a thrilling ride filled with vintage characters and hallmark gags, including Stan Lee's narration and Lemmy from Motorhead as the President of the United States.

Troma's reboot strategy is fully realized here, with a new layer of modernized irreverence applied to their classic formula of gore and satire. The movie makes no apologies for its explicit content, staying true to Troma's reputation for pushing boundaries. The inclusion of notable cameos—such as Kevin the Wonder-Duck—adds a charming touch, appealing to both longtime fans and new viewers. Despite some inconsistencies in maintaining its frenzied pace throughout its runtime, the film offers ample entertainment with its blend of horror, humor, and shock value.

Not everything is oppressive here, as it's hard to dislike a film that hires Lemmy from Motorhead to play the President of the United States, and Kaufman miraculously wedges in the ongoing car flip gag that's become the Troma Entertainment version of the Wilhelm Scream. Return to Nuke 'Em High is certainly motivated, and the Rotten Cotton demographic will undoubtedly be pleased with this endeavor, but noise rarely equals effort. Kaufman tries a little too hard to revive the old Troma magic, and while it's intermittently amusing and always delightfully icky, the movie seldom provides the rousing viewing experience it promises in its highly motivated opening act.