Rating: Summary: Head crushing fun! Review: With the Toxic Avenger, like most Troma films, it's hard to wrap your mind around what you've just watched. Not there is any deep emotional insight and political commentary here. It's just that there is a difficulty in figuring out just what this film is. Not to mention whether or not it's actually any good. Toxic Avenger is undeniably low grade. Production quality, writing, and cinematic technique take a back seat to the quest for the lowest common denominator. It's undoubtedly an exploitation film and no target is unworthy. From fat people to muscle headed jocks, blind people to little old ladies, Toxic takes every cheap shot it can think of. And it makes sure to lay them on with a very broad stroke. No subtlety here folks. That also goes for there obvious delight in soft core hijinks and gore that borders on the ludicrous. There is nothing like seeing a man getting pounded over the head with his own arm. And yet I still enjoyed it. There is no doubt that Toxic Avenger is the very definition of B-movie. One might go as far as to call it a C-movie. But this is nothing that fans of Troma's particular brand of crap don't already know. Because there lies the charm. I personally admit to laughing heartily throughout. Probably more due to the fact that I sat there mouth agape, amazed at what I was watching. Everything about this movie is excessive. Most notably for me was the psycho jock foursome who emotionally torture janitor Melvin, (the future Toxie). They don't just chew the scenery, they gnaw and tear at it like it's a big, juicy turkey leg. Keep an eye out for the top jock, who's head always seems about ready to explode, and his main squeeze, who's giant, gnashing, pearly whites are quite blinding, (and not just a little frightening). Everyone else envolved manages to overact to, although to somewhat lesser degrees, and there is obvious enjoyment had by all envolved. Then there is Toxie himself, a likable hero even when he's walking around grunting and disemboweling people. Surprisingly he is one of the few characters who doesn't seem loopy, although he makes up for it in the carnage he leaves behind. This is, of course, a comedy. And on that level it is a success. But it is still a bad movie even in light of that. Toxic Avenger never claimed it wasn't bad, which is an obviously redeeming quality. Still, though the humor is low brow, some of it falls flat and misses out on intentional laughs in exchange for simply humorously bad ones. Having a police chief who acts like some kind of odd Dr.Strangelove, Colonel Klink combination just doesn't make sense. There are some small jokes that are so broad and juvenile that they are almost pointless. And some major plot shifts make the film lose track of it's overall destination. But this is great fun, though mainly for those who already enjoy this sort of thing. If your not the sort of person who can get a laugh out of watching some kid get his head pulped by the back tire of a car, then I'd look elsewhere for enjoyment. As for this dvd, the film quality is decent and it's probably better than any previous version, but the fact that it is low budget is obvious. The same goes for the audio. The Toxic Avenger is crammed full of special material. There are deleted scenes, some quite funny. A number of trailers for some of their more well known films, like "Surf Nazis Must Die", are also here, as is Toxic Avenger. An interesting Toxic memorabilia section with many little tidbits relating to Toxie, notably the opening scene from the short lived Toxic Avenger cartoon from the early nineties, (I had forgotten about it until I saw this),add to the fun. You'll also find a trivia game. Answering questions results in short video clips from and assortment of Troma's films. Right and wrong answers each result in different clips so you'll probably have to go through it several times. Finally, there is a twisted tour of Troma's New York office. Much of this is led by Lloyd Kaufman himself, the madman behind much of Troma's labors, including Toxic Avenger. It's an enjoyable collection enfussed with the same demented sense of humor that makes Toxic so bizarre. If you like Troma, this is their crown jewel. If you like your movies sans that very special Toxie brand of humor, well...I just pity you.;)
Rating: Summary: The First And Best Of The Toxic Avenger Series! Review: A 98-pound weakling falls into a barrel of toxic waste and is transformed into a towering hulk of sludge wearing a tutu. At times very gross, the film has developed a cult following. I love all the violent scenes in this film. It shows you what would happen if you did something like that to someone, but you were to afraid to do it. The violent scenes are also hilarious! Little kids would just love this film if their parents would let them watch it, which would be really funny. There aren't too many jokes told in this one. But whenever there are, they are just as funny as Melvin sticking a mop down some guy's throat. This is the best TOXIC AVENGER film ever. It's a shame that Part 2 & 3 were so bad. Those next two films were horrible. If you want to know what I thought of them, then go check out the sequels and look in the reviews for my name. I'm not going to act like God and tell you to stay away from them. If you want to see them, then go ahead! I would've actually given this three and a half stars, but since I can't, I'll just give it a fair rate of three stars. I hope my review was helpful to you!
Rating: Summary: Toxie Review: This is that age old story that we've heard a thousand times....boy is shunned...boy falls out window...boy falls in toxic waste...boy becomes a mop weilding super hero... Sure, we've heard the tale before, but Troma Picture's adaptation of that age old classic both pulls at the heartstrings and makes you want to vomit...I give it two enthusiastic (and slightly mutilated) thumbs up
Rating: Summary: bargin bin Review: Not worth paying a whole lot for... wait until you find it in a bargin bin somewhere for cheap and then get it. Amusing at times but mostly bad acting.
Rating: Summary: Terrible Review: This movie is not funny.The scene when the people roll over the kid's head is not at all funny,just gross.
Rating: Summary: Really good Review: Just another nerdy pool attendant tossed into a tub of toxic waste becomes muntant crimefighter picture.Actually this low buget horror spoof has a number of inspired moments.If you aer looking for sick humor and creative bloodshed.Enjoy.
Rating: Summary: Dont judge a video by its cover! Review: I recently purchased this video and was very disappointed!The box promises the full "head crushing"scene;"scenes never before scene in america";"an exclusive behind-the-scenes interview with...Lloyd Kaufman";and "some extremely rare scenes from the original workprint".None of these things were on the video and because I opened the package it cant be returned.In its original form,with the head crushing scene,this movie is a five star classic.Just dont expect to get what you paid for!
Rating: Summary: One of the best exploitation films of the 80's Review: This film is very entertaining if you're twisted and can handle the gore FX (they get pretty gross at times). I remember watching this gem at a very young age, and I haven't been the same since! It has some really bad jokes and is sometimes too mean-spirited, but I think it's a great example of how to make a successful dark (very dark) comedy. If I were to compare it with another film, it's similar to Flesh for Frankenstein. Don't miss, if you like horror films.
Rating: Summary: TOXIC AVENGER Is A Tromatic Classic! Review: I'm a big fan of TROMA movies...so I guess that's why I liked THE TOXIC AVENGER! The film is about a high-school mop boy who gets chased by a gang, jumps out a window and falls into a vat of toxic waste...thus transforming into a mutant superhero. That's all I'm going to give away for now, but I'll tell you that this movie has a lot of violence, a lot of humor, a lot of nudity, and a "head crushing" scene that is not for those who have weak stomachs. The unrated directors cut DVD is loaded with lots of extra TROMA goodies!
Rating: Summary: Excellence. Review: I still can't get over how great this movie is....it was a dull rainy day in February, and a friend of mine had talked all year about his growing "troma movie" collection. So I went to a pal's house and we started watching the "Toxic Avenger." ....I'll NEVER forget seeing the bike-hitting scene for the first time. We rewound and played it over and over until our stomachs ached and our tear ducts were dry....it's STILL funny. VIEW IT NOW!
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