The Toxic Avenger
Directed by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz
USA 1984
PLOT
Melvin is a young man working as a janitor at the Tromaville gym. His life changes forever when, after being thrown by some local bullies, he falls into toxic waste barrels, transforming into a terrifying creature.
CONSIDERATIONS
The combination of “Toxic Avenger – Troma” is about as romantic as it gets in cinema.
Today, for many, Troma is synonymous with low-quality products filled with absurd situations. However, we’re talking about a production company that for years had a significant market presence thanks to films that are now recognized and respected within certain circles.
The Toxic Avenger would go on to become the production house’s flagship film: it cost $500,000 and was initially a flop, but over the years it went on to gross about $30 million.
This film is pure anarchy: absurd, surreal, splatter-filled, and fun. It’s a type of cinema that perfectly embodies the nerdy, catchy style of the era, constantly over the top. The movie is full of bullies, idiotic jokes, caricatured characters, an absurd superhero, and plenty of violence, but thanks to its frantic pace, it’s a joy to watch.
However, it doesn’t shy away from harsh criticism of American society’s “products”: bullying, corruption, the lack of principles in positions of power, the military’s nonsensical force, and the rejection of those who are different.
The film references popular movies and directors of the time: Revenge of the Nerds, Porky’s, Cronenberg, Raimi-style splatter, and more.
Though lighthearted, when it comes to horror, it doesn’t hold back, showing us clearly severed limbs, protruding intestines, mutating bodies, gushing bodily fluids, crushed heads, and hands in deep fryers.
An independent film with a strong underground feel, the actors are mostly unknown, the trashy ideas are countless, and the direction is perfect for what it wants to communicate. The special effects are surprisingly good (obviously proportionate to independent cinema): the nerd’s transformation into the avenger is really well done and impressive.
This simple and silly story of a nerd who becomes a monster due to pollution, falls in love with a blind girl, beats up and kills all the bullies and criminals with a mop, and ends up being loved by the people of a corruption-ridden American town, would go on to be such a success that it spawned 3 sequels, a documentary, two theatrical productions, became Troma’s logo, a comic book, t-shirts, action figures… Is that enough to understand the stature of what, over time, has become a globally recognized brand?
There’s a 110-minute director’s cut, available for free on YouTube, dubbed in Italian.
PANDEMONIUM MOMENT
The bullies, high on cocaine, first run over a kid on a bike, then reverse over him to crush his head, and finally take photos, laughing proudly at their work.
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