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Category: Troma Tuesdays

  • The Toxic Avenger Part II (1989)

    The Toxic Avenger Part II (1989)

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    After The Toxic Avenger and Class of Nuke ‘Em High were hits, Troma hoped Troma’s War would be another hit. Unfortunately, the film was severely trimmed at the behest of the MPAA, and the cut version released was a flop. Because of this, any hope of Troma being able to compete with the major studios was quickly dashed. Moving forward, Troma would be reworked into an independent studio, putting more emphasis on doing their thing rather than competing. To try and bounce back, Lloyd Kaufman decided to make a sequel to his most popular film at the time. It was decided to film a large part of the film in Japan to expand its reach in foreign markets. Unfortunately, none of the original cast returned, and there were some issues regarding the Japanese actors’ ability to speak English. Eventually, The Toxic Avenger Part II was released in 1989.

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    Synopsis

    Tromaville has become a nice place to live since The Toxic Avenger (Ron Fazio) cleaned up all the crime. Unfortunately, Toxie is severely depressed since there’s no evil to beat up, though his blind girlfriend Claire (Phoebe Legere) helps. However, the evil organization Apocalypse Inc, led by the Chairman (Rick Collins) and his assistant Malfaire (Lisa Gaye), is emerging. After losing some of their men to Toxie, the organization tries figuring out how to get Toxie out of Tromaville. Thanks to his psychologist, they learn that Toxie has father issues and that his father lives in Tokyo. Toxie is convinced to travel to Tokyo to find his father, along the way meeting Japanese local Masami (Mayako Katsuragi). With her help, he finds his long-lost father Big Mac Junko (Rikiya Yasuoka), who’s been smuggling drugs with fish. Will Toxie have to kill his own father, and what will happen to Tromaville?

     

    Review

    While it expands on what the original established, The Toxic Avenger Part II feels somewhat excessive and longer than expected. There are fun and ridiculous action sequences, but many of them go on for longer than they should. At times, it feels like the filmmakers were more concerned with doing something goofy rather than moving the plot forward. For instance, the opening sequence has at least three to five fight sequences that go on for roughly 10 minutes. Admittedly, there are some moments of silly over-the-top gore thrown in, but they drag out the runtime considerably. Things don’t change much once Toxie’s in Tokyo, as the same emphasis on action and violence over the story continues. At slightly over 90 minutes, it feels longer due to the messy pacing and scenes that seemingly never end. It feels like excess for the sake of excess rather than delivering a message.

    That said, this is still an entertaining film that’ll more than satisfy any hardcore Troma fan and then some. While not as good as Mitch Cohen, Ron Fazio makes for a good Toxie, even if his voice is off. Rick Collins and Lisa Gaye make for fun over-the-top villains, clearly chewing up every bit of scenery around them. Phoebe Legere can be a bit grating as Claire, but she provides enough fan service to satiate any Tromaholic. It’s somewhat difficult to judge Rikiya Yasuoka and Mayako Katsuragi’s performances since they’re dubbed, but they’re very expressive and active. Jessica Dublin, returning from Troma’s War, is fun as Toxie’s mom, though she isn’t given much to do. While the sequel is a bit of a mess, but it’s still just as entertaining as any other Troma film. Overall, The Toxic Avenger Part II is a flawed but enjoyable follow-up to the original.

     

    Buy The Toxic Avenger Part II on Amazon: https://amzn.to/355KBqn

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  • Christmas Evil (1980)

    Christmas Evil (1980)

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    Oftentimes, movie ideas can come from strange situations, such as with writer/director Lewis Jackson, whose idea came from drugs. Specifically, while smoking a joint, Jackson saw an image of Santa Claus holding a knife, which gave him an idea. He spent several years developing a script, but he had trouble finding financing, as his concept was a hard sell. In the end, he managed to acquire $450,000 for the budget, though the budget went overboard due to his cinematographer. Enter Ricardo Aronovich, an Argentinian cinematographer who was critically acclaimed for his work, but was very expensive to work with. For the cast, Jackson originally wanted major talent, but for budgetary reasons, could only afford relative unknowns or character actors. Filming took place from 1979-1980 around New Jersey, though it was a struggle because of the dwindling funds. Originally released as You Better Watch Out, it was retitled Christmas Evil.

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    Synopsis

    As a child, young Harry (Gus Salud) watches his mother being groped by his father dressed as Santa Claus. This leaves him heartbroken, so much so that as an adult, Harry (Brandon Maggart) still clings to his beliefs. He works at a toy manufacturer, where he’s made fun of and taken advantage of by his coworkers. At home, Harry watches the neighborhood children and writes their names in a naughty/nice book based on their actions. His ultimate goal is to become Santa Claus, or at least his version of Santa Claus, and spreading holiday cheer. His brother Phil (Jeffrey DeMunn) is constantly frustrated by Harry’s behavior despite his wife Jackie (Diane Hull) being more sympathetic. Meanwhile, Harry finally snaps after seeing the hypocrisy around him, dons the Santa suit, and goes on a rampage. It all builds up to an ending you’ll never see coming and certainly never forget.

     

    Review

    Christmas Evil or You Better Watch Out as the director intended is a very unique holiday horror/thriller hybrid film. The premise and some of the cover art would make you think it’s a horror film, which isn’t completely inaccurate. However, it plays more like a thriller akin to Scorsese’s Taxi Driver in that it’s a character study of madness. Brandon Maggart, like Robert De Niro, plays the part of a mentally-ill man driven insane perfectly, though with more intensity. While you do feel sorry for him given his situation, you’re also terrified by just how manic he is. There are several moments where you’re not sure if what you’re seeing/hearing is real or only in his head. Plus, many scenes are shot with a very soft focus, which gives off a somewhat dreamlike quality to them. It’s well-made and well-acted given its low budget.

    Not only does it work as a psychological thriller, but it also works as something of a dark comedy. In a way, it’s a dark look at the Santa lore: how he watches children, judges their actions, etc. Not only that, but it shows how corporate the holiday has become, Harry’s bosses more concerned with productivity than charity. Admittedly, it’s not a perfect film, especially when there are moments where the low budget becomes obvious. For instance, there’s a scene where someone rolls down a hill, and you can see white blankets used for snow. Granted, these and other moments don’t detract from the power the film has, though they do generate unintended laughs. Lastly, I won’t say what the ending is, but it truly is something you need to see to believe. Overall, Christmas Evil is an underrated holiday thriller that’s worth checking out.

     

    Buy Christmas Evil on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4iNjYet.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Christmas Evil (1980)

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  • Cannibal! The Musical (1993)

    Cannibal! The Musical (1993)

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    Today, Trey Parker and Matt Stone are best known for their long-running hit adult animated series, South Park. However, in the late 1980s, they were attending the University of Colorado, Matt a math major, Trey a film major. The two became fast friends and started making short films together showcasing their brand of anti-authoritarian and absurd humor. In 1992, Parker and Stone, alongside Jason McHugh and Ian Hardin formed the production company Avenging Conscience. Around this time, Parker was going through a horrible depression after learning that his fiancee was having an affair. Rather than sulk, Parker focused his efforts on making a 3-minute trailer for a fictional movie, Alfred Packer: The Musical. After getting some money together, they expanded the trailer into a feature film and premiered it in Boulder in 1993. Troma eventually picked the film up for distribution and released it in 1996 as Cannibal! The Musical.

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    Synopsis

    In 1883, Alfred Packer (Trey Parker) is being tried for supposedly killing and eating his group during a gold expedition. While imprisoned, Packer’s visited by journalist Polly Pry (Toddy Walters), who asks him to explain his side of the story. Cut to 1873 in Bingham Canyon, Utah, where a group of men is planning on an expedition to Breckenridge. Led by Mormon priest Shannon Wilson Bell (Ian Hardin), Packer is brought on given his time in Colorado territory. They’re joined by James Humphrey (Matt Stone), Israel Swan (John Hegel), Frank Miller (Jason McHugh), and George Noon (Dian Bachar). Along the way, they encounter a group of fur trappers, Japanese Indians, and a cyclops, as well as harsh weather. Back in the present, Packer is sentenced to death by hanging, but Polly decides to fight for his innocence. What will happen to Packer, and is he guilty of murder and cannibalism?

     

    Review

    Cannibal! The Musical has very amateurish production qualities and was clearly made by film students who didn’t entirely know better. What it lacks in production value, the film more than makes up for in energy, absurd humor, and catchy songs. Before becoming a film major, Trey Parker was a music major, which he puts to good use here. Taking inspiration from musicals like Oklahoma and the works of Rogers & Hammerstein, each song stands out from the rest. From the opener, Shpadoinkle, to the love ballad, I Was On Top Of You, you’ll be humming at least one. Parker and Walters are easily the best singers here, though you can tell the rest of the cast is trying. Hegel has probably one of the film’s best songs, Let’s Build a Snowman, an upbeat song during a hopeless scene. These songs are great despite the Casio-sounding score.

    South Park fans will notice some elements that would appear in the show, including a grey alien in the background. The musical numbers are predecessors to the numbers in South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut and Team America: World Police. Even the amateurish production value is similar to South Park, showing that entertainment can be made for little money. Admittedly, there are some noticeable flaws present, such as awfully fake beards, plastic weapons, obvious doubles, and ADR. However, much like The Toxic Avenger and Class of Nuke ‘Em High, these flaws give the film its charm. This feels like a home movie some friends made to later watch while drinking, though there’s some artistic merit. Even with its crude production, questionable acting, and cut corners, this film was what laid the groundwork for South Park. Overall, Cannibal! The Musical is a fun time if you don’t take it too seriously.

     

    Buy Cannibal! The Musical on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mZ4JRN

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  • Troma’s War (1988)

    Troma’s War (1988)

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    After the success of The Toxic Avenger and Class of Nuke ‘Em High, Troma became a household name. With two back-to-back hits, Lloyd Kaufman decided that his next project would be an ambitious one. The 1980s saw a rise in action films, specifically what Kaufman referred to as “movies that glorified warfare”. Films like Rambo: First Blood Part II, Commando, and Red Dawn were dominating the box office at the time. This, combined with what Kaufman saw as the Reagan administration making efforts to glorify war and making Americans favor violence. This is mind, Kaufman and his partner Michael Herz put together a budget of $3 million, their largest to date. The two set out to make their own action-packed war film, but with some added Troma touches and social commentary. Also known as 1,000 Ways to Die, Troma’s War was released to theaters in late 1988.

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    Synopsis

    Following a plane crash onto a seemingly deserted island, a group of survivors struggles to assess their situation. They find some armed soldiers on the island, only it turns out the soldiers are part of a terrorist group. Two of the passengers, Vietnam veteran Parker (Michael Ryder) and Taylor (Sean Bowen), try leading the group to safety. Unfortunately, some of the passengers get kidnapped and killed by the terrorists, prompting the survivors to fight back. With help from Englishman Marshall (Steven Crossley), they acquire some weapons and launch a counteroffensive against the terrorists. Soon, it’s revealed that they plan to invade America, first by creating an AIDS epidemic and destroying American from within. With time running out, the survivors must band together to stop the terrorists from succeeding in their invasion of America. Will our heroes succeed, or is America doomed in winning Troma’s War?

     

    Review

    Lloyd Kaufman considers Troma’s War to be his best film, and it’s fairly easy to see why. With its $3 million budget, it’s the closest to a Hollywood-esque blockbuster you’d ever expect from a Troma film. There’s plenty of stunts, shootouts, and explosions to rival even what Cannon was producing at the time. At the same time, there are some Troma touches, such as copious amounts of nudity, blood, and politically incorrect humor. That said, this is a very atypical Troma film since it doesn’t have much of the downright insanity from before. The Toxic Avenger and Class of Nuke ‘Em High embraced their campy nature and went as over-the-top as possible. Troma’s War, however, plays more like a straight action film with occasionally heartfelt moments and some absurdly comedic scenes. While it’s admirable they tried stepping outside their comfort zone, some fans may not appreciate the change.

    Acting-wise, everyone does a fair job playing it straight, though they’re not nearly as exaggerated as in past Troma movies. Sean Bowen makes for a fine charismatic lead, though he sometimes comes off slightly misogynistic, especially towards his love interest. Speaking of, Carolyn Beauchamp has some decent chemistry with Bowen and is tough in her own right. Michael Ryder (real name Rick Washburn) is clearly having fun as the manic veteran who maybe enjoys killing too much. Steven Crossley is very cool and suave, almost as if he’s playing James Bond, which might not be far off. Future Troma veterans Rick Collins, Jessica Dublin, and Joe Fleishaker make their Troma debuts here, and each has fun moments. While it takes time to get going, the shootout sequences, especially the climax, are the highlight of the film. Overall, Troma’s War isn’t what you might expect, but maybe that’s a good thing.

     

    Buy Troma’s War on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3fsufvL

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  • Surf Nazis Must Die (1987)

    Surf Nazis Must Die (1987)

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    Aspiring filmmaker Peter George was living near the beaches of coastal California when he spotted some graffiti stating “surf nazis”. Often used to refer to surfers who took it seriously, George decided to flesh it out and take it literally. Alongside writer Jon Ayre, George developed a concept where an old lady defends her retirement home against an inner-city gang. At some point, George and Ayre combined their original concept with the surf nazis, creating an oddball revenge film. Filming mostly took place around Huntington Beach and Long Beach, California, and the surfing scenes were filmed near Hawaii. With a relatively low budget, George, editor Craig A. Colton, and producer Robert Tinnell formed The Institute for production. The cast comprised of unknowns who appeared in mostly lesser-known films, though many would go on to have long-running careers. Finally, in July 1987, Troma released Surf Nazis Must Die.

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    Synopsis

    After an earthquake devastates the California coastline, the beaches are taken over by various gangs during the chaos. One of these gangs is the Surf Nazis, led by Adolf (Barry Brenner), the self-proclaimed “Führer of the new beach”. His gang includes girlfriend Eva (Dawn Wildsmith), Mengele (Michael Sonye), Hook (Joel Hile), Brutus (Gene Mitchell), and Smeg (Tom Shell). Adolf tries recruiting the other gangs to their cause, but they refuse, saying Adolf can’t handle the power. Meanwhile, Eleanor “Mama” Washington’s (Gail Neely) is put in assisted by her son Leroy (Robert Harden) after her house’s destroyed. Unfortunately, Leroy is attacked and killed by the Surf Nazis on the beach, leaving Mama in a state of shock. She decides to buy a gun and some grenades, planning on exacting revenge for the death of her son. Now that Leroy’s Mama is on the prowl, the Surf Nazis Must Die!

     

    Review

    Surf Nazis Must Die promises a lot from its title and concept, and it mostly delivers, though not without flaws. Its biggest problem is that, despite a runtime of under 90 minutes, the film is very slow and very padded. There are tons of scenes that are shots of the beach, shots of people driving, and extended surfing sequences. Also, there are subplots introduced that are either dropped completely or resolved almost as soon as they’re introduced. For instance, there’s a subplot about Smeg and his relationship with his mother that goes nowhere and amounts to nothing. Additionally, the subplot about the Surf Nazis taking out the other gangs is resolved fairly quickly. Though it’s built up early on, the revenge plot doesn’t really start until the last twenty minutes of the film. Whole stretches of the movie will go by before Mama Washington shows up again.

    That being said, there are some moments where the film goes above and beyond the material and has some flair. There are a few scenes shot in a way similar to an arthouse film with plenty of earned drama. The best example is how they handle Leroy’s murder, cutting back-and-forth between his murder and Mama going to the morgue. It’s very similar to how Mary Lambert handled Gage’s death in Pet Sematary, which came out two years after this. In terms of delivering on its promises, this film has plenty of fun over-the-top performances, particularly from Brenner and Sonye. Gail Neely makes for a great unlikely hero, delivering compelling drama one minute, and spouting off one-liners in the next. The final twenty minutes are definitely the highlight as Mama gets her revenge, even though the film is somewhat uneven. Overall, Surf Nazis Must Die is entertaining despite an uneven pace.

     

    Buy Surf Nazis Must Die from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3nfzi5H.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Surf Nazis Must Die (1987)

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  • Class of Nuke ‘Em High (1986)

    Class of Nuke ‘Em High (1986)

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    On a budget of $500,000, The Toxic Avenger was a hit upon release, grossing $800,000 and receiving mostly favorable reviews. The film was also a hit on home video, which helped to put Troma on the map as an independent. Following the success, co-founder and president Lloyd Kaufman decided that this is the direction that Troma should take moving forward. For their next project, they hired Richard W. Haines, who recently wrote and directed the horror-comedy Splatter University. He and Kaufman would team up to tell another story surrounding nuclear waste, but this time set in high school. Perhaps taking inspiration from Mark L. Lester’s Class of 1984, they decided to inject some blood, boobs, and crude humor. Hell, they even added “Class of” to the title to trick people into thinking they were seeing Lester’s film. In any case, 1986 saw the release of Class of Nuke ‘Em High.

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    Synopsis

    In the city of Tromaville, the local nuclear power plant springs a leak that seeps into the nearby high school. The radiation starts affecting the students, turning the preppy honor roll into a gang of vile and malicious Cretins. Lovebirds Warren (Gil Brenton) and Chrissy (Janelle Brady) are the only ones who suspect something, but no one seems concerned. Warren’s friend Eddie (James Nugent Vernon) scores some weed from the Cretins, who promise him it’ll provide an “atomic high”. At an indoor bikini party, Eddie gets Warren and Chrissy to smoke it, which leads to them making love. They end up having vivid hallucinations, Warren starts killing the Cretins, and Chrissy vomits a small creature into a toilet. As Spike (Robert Prichard), the Cretins leader, plans his attack on the school, something is lurking and on the prowl. Just what’s going on at Nuke ‘Em High?

     

    Review

    If The Toxic Avenger put Troma on the map, Class of Nuke ‘Em High solidified their image in independent cinema. Much like their previous film, this one revels in the blood, boobs, and gross-out humor to near excessive levels. Also, similar to Toxie, this has that same slapdash, rebellious nature to it, which makes it feel even more independent. For as low as the budget is, many of the effects are well-done, especially the melting and creature effects. There are some optical effects thrown in, especially during the hallucination scenes, though these are few and far between. Admittedly, parts of the movie feel isolated from each other, like they’re random scenes stitched together without any connective tissue. Like Toxie, some scenes are pure Troma chaos, but there are tons of filler scenes in between that drag. Honestly, the quote on quote plot doesn’t really pick up until 20 minutes in.

    The acting is about on par with The Toxic Avenger: intentionally silly and exaggerated performances with actors making ridiculous faces. The Cretins, in particular, are the most over-the-top and are having fun playing such colorful villains with unique designs. Brenton and Brady fit the role of the archetypal high school couple, and Vernon works as the comedic relief. It’s interesting seeing Prichard and Gary Schneider playing reverse roles from the characters they played in The Toxic Avenger. Going back to the film’s slapdash nature, one negative aspect is that the editing sometimes comes off as choppy. Troma films are known for being chaotic, but the slightly disjointed editing can make it difficult to know what’s happening. On a final note, the soundtrack is great, filled with some really catchy rock songs including the title song. Overall, Class of Nuke ‘Em High is another enjoyable entry in Troma’s cinematic library.

     

    Buy Class of Nuke ‘Em High from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4rcckgL.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Class of Nuke ‘Em High (1986)

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  • Nightbeast (1982)

    Nightbeast (1982)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_video _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” src=”https://youtu.be/r6rsB9JNKYw” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_video][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Troma is known not only for producing but also for distributing, often picking up films, retitling them, and re-releasing them. Though they had no direct involvement in the production, many notable people got more notoriety through being connected to Troma. For instance, Troma released Buddy Giovinazzo’s debut feature Combat Shock, which was one of the more unique films they released. Enter Baltimore-based filmmaker Don Dohler, who made his directorial debut The Alien Factor in 1972 but wasn’t released until 1978. Following the film’s release, Dohler decided to work on a film similar to The Alien Factor but hired another director. Unfortunately, he was having trouble with the new director, so plans were scrapped and Dohler filmed the 1980 slasher Fiend. After filming Fiend, Dohler decided to revisit the previous concept and start over, working with his usual cast and crew. In 1982, the horror sci-fi film Nightbeast was released.
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    Synopsis

    An alien spacecraft gets hit by an asteroid, which causes it to crashland on Earth in a small town. The alien pilot emerges from the ship before it explodes and is spotted by some hunters who alert the sheriff. County Sheriff Cinder (Tom Griffith), Deputy Sheriff Lisa Kent (Karin Kardian), and some men go out to investigate the monster. Meanwhile, the alien goes out on a rampage, blasting people with its disintegrator ray and ripping people’s guts out. The sheriff tries convincing Mayor Bert Wicker (Richard Dyszel) to evacuate the town, but he refuses because of a party. As the alien creature continues its rampage, local delinquent Drago (Don Leifert) is on the run after killing his girlfriend. Cinder and Lisa begin to fall in love, but it’s soon interrupted as the alien’s body count continues to rise. Will the creature be stopped, or will its rampage continue?

     

    Review

    Nightbeast is exactly the kind of movie you’d want it to be: a trashy, low budget sci-fi alien attack romp. For a film that supposedly had a $14,000 budget, it’s surprisingly well made and has some solid effects. The gore effects are pretty top-notch, and the design of the alien, while goofy, is unique and memorable. The score, partially done by a relatively unknown J. J. Abrams, also makes the film feel very creepy and ominous. Much of the nighttime scenes make extensive use of fog, which helps add to its atmosphere, even in daytime scenes. What also helps is that the film gets right into the action from the beginning with the alien attacking people. Watching the actors jump around, hit the ground, and start shooting while laser fly around them is entertaining. This is prime material that’s sure to satisfy anyone looking for cheap B-movie thrills.

    However, the film’s biggest problems are that the acting is fairly bland and there are tons of filler scenes. After the first 20 minutes, the action grinds to a halt as the actors run around looking for the alien. It doesn’t help either that most of the acting isn’t that great, though the cheesy acting adds to its charm. There is some nudity thrown in, but it seems shoehorned in and it’s not as sexy as it could be. Even at 80 minutes, the film feels slightly padded, especially with its subplots that don’t amount to much of anything. However, its flaws add to its overall homegrown charm, making it feel like a real small-town, homemade production. Much like The Toxic Avenger, this shows that even a low budget film can get attention and notoriety decades later. Overall, Nightbeast is trashy fun best enjoyed with friends and drinks.

     

    Buy Nightbeast from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NTrKVs.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
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  • The Toxic Avenger (1984)

    The Toxic Avenger (1984)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https://youtu.be/0boBtRksh1A?si=2wM7z6RW3M2Vb8K0″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_video][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]In its early years, Troma was known for making sex comedies like Squeeze Play and The First Turn-On. However, while working as a production supervisor on Rocky in 1975, Troma president Lloyd Kaufman had an idea brewing. After reading an article about how horror films were dead, he decided to make one set in a health club. Originally titled Health Club Horror, the concept was constantly being revised and reworked as new ideas started popping up. There was talk about the dangers of nuclear and atomic waste, so they decided to turn it into something positive. With a budget of around $500,000 – $800,000 and a cast of relatively unknown actors, they began filming in New Jersey. Little did they know that what they were making would set the standard for Troma films to this day. Finally, 1984 saw the release of the first superhero from New Jersey, The Toxic Avenger!

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    Synopsis

    Our story takes place in Tromaville, NJ, where Melvin Funko (Mark Torgl) works as the janitor at the health club. A 98-pound weakling, Melvin is constantly teased and bullied, especially by local bullies Bozo (Gary Schneider) and Slug (Robert Prichard). Bozo’s girlfriend Julie (Cindy Manion) decides to prank Melvin, but things go wrong when Melvin falls into some nuclear waste. That night, Melvin starts mutating and transforms from a weakling into a hideously deformed creature of superhuman size and strength. With his new abilities, Melvin goes around cleaning up crime, ripping all manner of mugger, rapist, pimp, and corrupt politician. Along the way, he finds love in blind girl Sarah (Andree Maranda), and the locals are singing their praises. However, Mayor Peter Belgoody (Pat Ryan Jr.) wants Melvin, now dubbed the “Monster Hero”, taken out for ruining his operations. Will Toxie stop the corrupt mayor, or will corruption win?

     

    Review

    The Toxic Avenger is proof that you don’t need millions of dollars to make a fun and entertaining movie. Even with its low budget and inexperienced cast and crew, you can tell plenty of love put into the film. All the Troma staples are here: copious amounts of nudity, plenty of blood and guts, and ridiculously over-the-top humor. As silly as the acting is, it’s intentionally silly and cartoonishly exaggerated, especially from Mark Torgl and Gary Schneider. Some might be annoyed by the camera mugging and exaggerated delivery, but it’s done with love instead of being obnoxious. The special effects, though crude, are impressive given the small budget, and the design of Toxie is instantly memorable. The death scenes are unique and delightfully cartoonish, whether it’s deep-frying someone’s hands or stuffing someone in an oven. There’s even a scene of a kid getting his head crushed done with a watermelon!

    With a 90-minute runtime, the film moves at a very fast pace, but it never feels like it’s rushing. What also helps is that, at its core, it’s a simple story of good vs evil with some revenge elements. It also presents an interesting duality where Toxie is saving the day but through violent means, almost becoming a villain. At the same time, it presents some pretty humorous moments of people calling Toxie a hero despite his brutal methods. It’s hard to classify what type of movie The Toxic Avenger is since it mixes comedy, horror, and superhero tropes. Still, that’s what makes the film so unique and stands out from its contemporaries, further solidifying its cult status. If you’re a first-timer to the world of Troma and are interested, this would be a great way to start. Overall, The Toxic Avenger is a prime piece of trashy entertainment.

     

    Buy The Toxic Avenger from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4qJbPva.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch The Toxic Avenger (1984)

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  • Troma Tuesdays – An Introduction

    Troma Tuesdays – An Introduction

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    “Greetings from Tromaville!”

    Those are the words used to introduce the films of Troma Entertainment by its co-founder and president, Lloyd Kaufman. Founded alongside business partner Michael Herz in 1974, Troma has gained a reputation for producing and distributing mostly independent films. Much like Full Moon Features, they primarily aim at horror and sci-fi films but with more of an over-the-top nature. Their films are known for their copious amounts of blood, gore, nudity, low-brow humor, political incorrectness, and everything in between. Troma has been seen as a more rebellious studio, aiming for mainstream attention while not conforming to the mainstream. While working with only a fraction of a typical Hollywood studio budget, they have maintained a rabid and growing fanbase. During their 40+ years, they’ve helped launch the careers of James Gunn, J.J. Abrams, and Trey Parker and Matt Stone. To celebrate Troma’s legacy, FilmNerd is proud to present Troma Tuesdays!

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