The Toxic Avenger
review by Bobby Blakey
For over 40 years iconic independent filmmaker Lloyd Kaufman and his Tromaverse has been bringing some of the most outrageous films to the masses including Poultrygeist, Sgt. Kabuki Man and their return to the Nuke ‘Em High franchise Return to Nuke ‘Em High: Volume 1 & 2. For years they have been talking about a remake of their most famous hero, The Toxic Avenger with one point saying Arnold Schwarzenegger might be taking on the role.
The film finally went into production with a great cast including Kevin Bacon, Elijah Wood, Jacob Tremblay, Taylour Paige and Peter Dinklage taking on the role of Winston aka Toxie (with actor and movement artist Louisa Guerreiro playing Toxie in the suit) with Macon Blair taking on directing duties. The film wrapped production back in 2021 but looked like it was never getting released until now.
The Toxic Avenger follows a shocking accident that transforms downtrodden janitor Winston Gooze into a mutant vigilante. Armed with his signature mop, the unlikely hero battles freaks, gangsters and corrupt CEOs while trying to save his relationship with his son.
I am big fan of the original Toxic Avenger series in all its ridiculous, gooey, violent stupid glory. I have been eagerly waiting to see what they could do with a bigger budget and a new vision but figured it would never happen. With the announcement of the always awesome Peter Dinklage in the role I was overjoyed in not just being a fan of him, but the new twist it brings to the character. Now seeing the film that was once deemed un-releasable I can say that I loved every minute of it.
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The film keeps the idea of the character intact but opts for a completely different story that gives it more depth and direction if you can imagine that in this insane world. They ould have easily forgotten the Tromville aspect and done something new and while they did, they kept the homage and legend of the original universe here in a fun way and allowed the film to grow into its own thing.
A big reason this works is that Dinklage goes all in bringing a flawed character to life that you can relate to throughout this insane journey as opposed to just a buffoon turned superhero. Once he makes the transformation, he maintains the same persona just in this newly deformed super-body that loses some of the laughs but works. Bacon and Wood are more unique wacky characters, but they also go all in and look to be having a blast.
The over-the-top gore, goo and all the ridiculous tropes are still here to keep with the tone of the original films to keep the fans pleased. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like the new Toxie look from the posters and first trailer, but it works great and lends itself to the classic while being something fresh and new to the character all its own. The kills are violent fun and the color palate lighting used for some of the transformation sequences screams the 80s nostalgia.
I loved this film and appreciated that it managed to deliver a film in the ways it did. This kind of film is not for everyone and one we just don’t get much anymore which is a bummer as they are so fun and wacky. I hope this isn’t the last time we see this version of Toxie but if it is I am here for it and will be one that finds itself right into The Toxic Avenger marathon viewings with the others numerous times over.
After a shorter than deserved theatrical run the film hit digital on in September and now has made its way onto DVD, Blu-ray (Collector’s Edition), 4K + Blu-ray (Collector’s Edition) which includes a limited edition lenticular O-Sleeve, Steelbook – 4K + Blu-ray (Collector’s Edition), and an Amazon exclusive 4K UHD + Blu-ray Collector’s Edition with bonus The Toxic Avenger (1984) original film on 4K UHD featuring plenty of bonus features including commentary, featurettes and more.
