On Surf Nazis Must Die - A Review

Surf Nazis Must Die (SNMD) is not much of a horror movie -- in fact, it is only barely that at all -- but it is a Troma movie, which means you are likely to be disgusted at some point. Like most Troma movies, Surf Nazis Must Die is more pointlessly tasteless than anything else.

While the name is synonymous with tastelessness and over-the-top gore today, it was not unusual in the early 1980s to pull a straight flick out of the fledgling company. Troma was a real mixed bag in those days, but by the mid-1980s, with the success of such titles as The Toxic Avenger, Tromaville had become overrun by outlandish, cartoon stereotypes of the cartoon stereotypes found in every genre flick. Quite brilliant in its regard, but also an acquired taste, and a knowledge of the genre is a must to truly appreciate Troma flicks.

Troma usually employs the same tropes as other horror flicks, and Surf Nazis Must Die is little more than a revenge flick with a tinge of blacksploitation. Unfortunately, Troma is also known for failing to develop a real plot, characters, or story, and follow-through on them, and this movie is no different. Like all Troma films, the visuals are the payoff, and SNMD definitely delivers in bursts, but the whole blaxploitation angle is downplayed about halfway through and the movie loses focus as it tries to "explore" the titular nazis and their whole... thing.

There really isn't much to see here, but Surf Nazis Must Die somehow manages to keep your attention right to the abrupt conclusion, at which point you will promptly forget everything that just happened. It is a good view for fans of both the company and the genre, but more for historical context than anything else.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010