While filming Return to Nuke ‘Em High Volume 1, director Lloyd Kaufman decided to split the film into two parts. The first part had a limited theatrical release in late 2013 that the studio expanded in 2014. While critical reception was mixed, audiences loved it, and the film was awarded at the Fright Night Theatre Film Festival. Unfortunately, during the production of the second installment, funding for the film dried up, and they couldn’t afford post-work. To help cover the post-production costs, Troma launched a Kickstarter campaign in June 2015, which raised over $60,000. After a lengthy post-production process, they screened the film at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, which became Lloyd’s last appearance. Despite the screening going well, Kaufman claimed the staff abused the Troma employees and vowed never to return. Regardless, Return to… Return to Nuke ‘Em High AKA Vol. 2 premiered in late 2019.
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Synopsis
Picking up from where the last movie ended, Lauren (Catherine Corcoran) gives birth to a duck-human hybrid baby. Meanwhile, Principal Westly (Babette Bombshell) blackmails her girlfriend Chrissy (Asta Paredes) to take down her blog, which she refuses. It turns out Westly got ahold of footage showing Lauren and Chrissy together from local loser Zack (Zac Amico). Local reporters hound Chrissy about this, but she uses it as an opportunity to expose the corruption of Tromaorganics Inc. Elsewhere, CEO Lee Harvey Herzkauf (Lloyd Kaufman) has been huffing farts from high school students to stay young. He plans on sharing this with some influential figures, only for his supply to run out, causing him to mutate. With their fellow students at stake, Chrissy and Lauren must stop Herzkauf while also fighting off The Cretins. Also, a fully-mutated Kevin the WonderDuck returns to protect his lovechild with Lauren.
Review
Return to… Return to Nuke ‘Em High AKA Vol. 2 is more of the same as the last film. There’s just as much blood, boobs, slime, and political incorrectness as the first film, if not more so. Like the last one, this one has similarly higher production values, but you’ll notice where they had to cut corners. While there are still tons of practical effects, there’s also more dodgy CGI that feels out of place. Also, tons of recycled scenes are used as flashbacks to pad out the runtime, complete with tacked-on narration. Granted, Troma was having troubles behind the scenes, and it’s admirable that they could finish this given the circumstances. Plus, some of these flaws add to the overall campy and over-the-top nature of the production. It’s just one of the many struggles surrounding independent filmmaking, especially with a Troma movie.
Like the last one, Asta Paredes and Catherine Corcoran have great chemistry and play off of each other well. While Paredes was more the center of Part 1, Corcoran gets the spotlight as her character grows further. Zac Amico is fun as the loveable and hateable loser who wants to get back at Chrissy and Lauren. He also has a hilarious nude scene that pays homage to the infamous streaking scene from Terror Firmer. Kaufman is great as the stereotypical corporate villain, who chews up as much scenery as possible. You also get appearances from Troma alums like Debbie Rochon, Ron Jeremy, Lemmy, Joe Fleishaker, Mark Torgl, and Stan Lee. This film has plenty of gross-out gags at under ninety minutes to satisfy Troma fans, even if parts do drag. Overall, Return to… Return to Nuke ‘Em High AKA Vol. 2 is exactly like the last one, warts and all.
Buy Return to… Return to Nuke ‘Em High AKA Vol. 2 on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GU9pTz
