The Toxic Avenger
by Lloyd Kaufman, Michael Herz
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Andree Maranda, Cindy Manion, Jennifer Prichard, Mitch Cohen, Robert PrichardDirector: Lloyd Kaufman, Michael Herz
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 1.0
Format: Color, Director's Cut, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: Pan & Scan, 1.33:1
Running Time: 82 minutes
DVD Release Date: 1998-03-25
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: TROMA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Movie Reviews of The Toxic Avenger
Movie Review: "Skippy, don't forget your helmet!"
Summary: 5 Stars
As a huge fan of goofy, campy, and frequently ultraviolent b-movies such as 'Pink Flamingos' and 'Street Trash', it goes without saying that I loved 'The Toxic Avenger.' So much of it defies good taste that it makes the movie more laugh-out-loud hilarious than it already is. And there is much to laugh at.
The story revolves around a Mama's-Boy 80s nerd named Melvin Ferd (Mark Torgl), who is the brunt of mockery and practical jokes around the Tromaville Health Club where he works, especially at the hands (and boobs!) of airhead blondes Julie and Wanda and their boyfriends Bozo and Slug (all of whom seem to spend a good 95% of their free time at the health club, while the other 5% of their time they seem to spend running over pedestrians for points [an infamous scene will demonstrate this early in the film]). When the gang decides to play a practical joke on Melvin and have Julie pretend to seduce him, it results in Melvin falling out of (more like DIVING head first of) the second story of the health club into a strategically-placed vat of toxic waste! But instead of going the Paul-McCrane-in-Robocop route and melting into liquid within second, he instead catches on fire, runs around Tromaville on fire with dramatic classical music in the backdrop, and hours later turns into a hideous creature of superhuman size and strength, the Toxic Avenger! As Toxie (his pet name throughout the series), Melvin has a sixth sense for evil and literally destroys evildoers wherever he finds them in increasingly bloody and graphic ways.
I'm fairly new to the world of Troma flicks and everyone seems to agree that this is the Troma masterpiece. Its filled with humor both intentional and unintentional, as well as some surprising social commentary (for one example, it seems to bring up the concern of environmental waste but at the same time lampoon those Al Gore types who obsess over it to the extreme and act as if it is bringing the apocalypse). There is a tremendous style in a lot of its presentation, and even a distinctly Quentin Tarantino-esque feel with its usage of poppy jukebox-esque tunes to such scenes as Melvin gleefully marching around in his tutu prior to seeing Julie, as well as the scene of Skippy the kid bicyclist riding around at night and...um...turning it in early. I was not surprised to read later on that Tarantino turns out to be a huge Troma fan and cites them as an influence, as these particular scenes in particular are so Tarantino-esque you'd swear he directed the film. It certainly contains enough sadistic, comical violence and black humor to be in his league.
In short, if you enjoy your movies with heavy doses of un-politically-correct happenings, inane ultraviolence, social commentary, and irony, look no further than this classic of 80s trash awesomeness.
Summary of The Toxic Avenger
The most widely known of Troma Films' stable of low-budget exploitation, The Toxic Avenger is an exuberantly crude poke at superheroes and monster movies, delivered with a healthy dose of cheap gags, splattery special effects, and T&A. It's also a genuinely funny film, and its no-holds-barred attitude has a grubby charm that eludes most gross-out comedies. The Toxic Avenger opens with an absurdly vicious crew preying upon Melvin, a nebbishy janitor. Their pranks land him in a vat of chemical waste, which transforms him into a lumpy monster that deals out gruesome revenge. Directors (and Troma company heads) Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz aim low in detailing "Toxie's" vengeance spree, and the subsequent carnage should please gorehounds. But they're also savvy enough recognize the film's limitations, and wisely camp things with plenty of slapstick. The result is a frantic and funny mess that should amuse even the most dour cult movie fan. --Paul GaitaHe was 98lbs of pure nerd until he fell into a barrel of Toxic waste and transformed into a hideously deformed creature of superhuman size and strength! In 1985, The Toxic Avenger opened in one NYC movie theater but just a few short years later, Toxie would become a household name! Up in the superheroic stratosphere with characters as eclectic as Swamp Thing, Spidey, and the Incredible Hulk, The Toxic Avenger endures till this day! Through three smash hit sequels, a children's cartoon show, lines of comics, toys, public appearances and even his own Nintendo video game, Toxie has been the creature on the scene! From the NY Times to Ralph Nader's presidential campaign, and beyond, few figures receive as much adoration as the Toxic Avenger, and this wacky, violent and hilarious movie started it all! The DVD release includes tons of tromatic extras, including lost scenes, an interactive tour of Troma Studios and an audio-commentary track from Troma president and creator of the Toxic Avenger, Lloyd Kaufman! The toxic Avenger is presented uncut and uncensored, featuring the full head-crushing scene!
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