Toxie’s Captivating, Chaotic World Explored

Read Time:7 Minute, 36 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Toxic Avenger Collection (8-Disc Tox Set) [4K Ultra HD + Special Edition Blu-ray]
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Genre: Action, Comedy, Horror, Fantasy
Year Released: 1984, 1989, 1989, 2000
Runtime: 6h 47m
Director(s): Lloyd Kaufman, Michael Herz
Writer(s): Lloyd Kaufman (story,) Joe Ritter (screenplay,) Gay Partington Terry (additional material,) Stuart Strutin, Pericles Lewnes, Fumio Furuya, Yoshiko Miyamoto, Andrew Wolk, Phil Rivo, Trent Haaga, Patrick Cassidy, Gabriel Friedman, Sean Collins, Matt Levin, Corey Kalman, Adam Jahnke, John Szeluga
Cast: Mitch Cohen, Mark Torgl, Marisa Tomei, John Altamura, Phoebe Legre, Ron Fazio, Michael Jai White, Corey Feldman, Debbie Rochon, James Gunn, Stan Lee, Patrick Kilpatrick, Jason Sklar, Randy Sklar, Lemmy, Eli Roth, Tiffany Shepis
Where To Watch: available October 24, 2023; pre-order here www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Okay, so where to start? This was my first full watch through the Toxic film universe (Uncle Lloyd, we need the animated series on Blu-ray or 4k!) The entire series is beautifully restored from the original camera negatives, and they look spectacular on the included Blu-ray and the 4K discs. One of the most shocking aspects for me was how amazing the effects were; for a low-budget series, the practical effects were remarkable. This series is a unique creature that stands on its own as an unforgettable experience. So, this series was a product of its time. Many things wouldn’t be acceptable today, which I feel is vital to remember while watching these films. Just as with any film, it’s important to remember when these were made.

A different kind of hero, a concoction of horror, comedy, and even some genuine moments of emotion – that's THE TOXIC AVENGER COLLECTION for you. It transports the audience into unconventional narratives and character arcs, intertwining the odd, the grotesque, and, surprisingly, the emotional, creating a cinematic journey like no other. Brace yourselves; this is not your average superhero saga but an odd and unsettling ride through the unusual territories charted by our misshapen protagonist, Toxie.

When directors Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman unleashed THE TOXIC AVENGER onto the world, they introduced audiences to an eccentric universe where the absurd could exist amidst the gore and low-budget aesthetics. Our hero, Toxie, rooted in raw, unfiltered portrayals amidst the grotesque and comical, finds a peculiar charm that does not merely serve the cult cinema enthusiasts but brings forth a strangely captivating aesthetic that vast arrays of audiences can find alluring.

With the evolution into THE TOXIC AVENGER PART II, our deformed protagonist takes us on a wild ride to Japan, offering a change in scenery and embedding vibrant cultural references and many cinematic nods throughout the narrative. The film energizes its storyline with energetic dynamics yet constantly dances on the edge of becoming a caricature of its innovative spirit. The adventures and unusual encounters sculpted amidst the new backdrops reflect a fearless visual spectacle that molds our hero's path and challenges.

Now, we journey to THE TOXIC AVENGER PART III: THE LAST TEMPTATION OF TOXIE; the narrative strays into a somewhat tenuous territory, arguably stretching the innovation and engagement predominant in its predecessors a little thin. It infuses unexpected character developments and over-the-top battles into the storyline, presenting an intriguing but somewhat incongruous addition to the plot. This chapter finds itself, at times, wandering around, trying to find itself.

The saga takes a rejuvenating breath with THE TOXIC AVENGER IV: CITIZEN TOXIE, revitalizing its essence by plunging headlong into a multiverse (yep, it's not a new thing) rippling with chaotic ingenuity and catastrophically hilarious destruction. The multiverse encounters heroic parodies, and the nefarious Noxie embraces and celebrates its roots in the grotesque and absurd. It is more than a mere continuation but a self-aware reimmersion into its own mad, bizarre world, throwing a sly, knowing glance toward its audience with every wild narrative choice.

In its entirety, THE TOXIC AVENGER COLLECTION bewilders, intrigues, and unexpectedly touches its audience, striking a delicate balance that serves both the enthusiasts of cult cinema and critics attempting to decipher its complex narrative puzzles. The sequels, each exploring, deviating, and navigating through new dimensions, offer a thrilling, if somewhat tumultuous, ride through Toxie's universe, casting an unconventional light upon a narrative that perhaps was not intended to span multiple films.

By seamlessly shattering the norms of the superhero genre, THE TOXIC AVENGER COLLECTION doesn’t just engage but energetically throws its viewers into a zany universe of its crafting. More than just a series, it's an experience that teeters between creativity and cinematic anomaly, etching a uniquely disturbing yet captivating niche in the cult classic genre. Its enduring legacy, whether perceived as chaotic brilliance or unruly disarray, ensures its peculiar resonance lingers, with the ultimate verdict forever resting in the eyes of those who dare to embark on this wild cinematic adventure.

TOXIC BONUS FEATURES:
– New 4K scan and restoration (from the film's original camera negatives*) of each film presented in their original 1.85:1 aspect ratio in HDR with English DTS 2.0 Stereo audio
– New introductions for each film from Lloyd Kaufman, President of Troma Entertainment and creator of The Toxic Avenger
– Optional English Subtitles for the deaf or hard of hearing on all discs
– Collectible Toxic Avenger Postcard
– Region Free 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray discs

THE TOXIC AVENGER [Unrated Director's Cut] 4K Ultra HD
– Prologue by Director Lloyd Kaufman
– Audio Commentary with Cast Members Robert Prichard, Gary Schneider, and Dan Snow
– Audio Commentary with Director Lloyd Kaufman

THE TOXIC AVENGER [Unrated Director's Cut] Blu-ray
– Introduction by Director Lloyd Kaufman
– Audio Commentary with Cast Members Robert Prichard, Gary Schneider, and Dan Snow
– Audio Commentary with Director Lloyd Kaufman
– Interviews with Cast Members Jennifer Baptist, Robert Prichard, Mitch Cohen, and Dan Snow
– Interview with Co-Director Michael Herz
– "Mark Torgl Talks About The Toxic Avenger" featurette
– Behind the Scenes Photo Gallery
– Trailers

THE TOXIC AVENGER PART II [Unrated Director's Cut*] 4K Ultra HD
– Prologue by Director Lloyd Kaufman
– Audio Commentary with Director Lloyd Kaufman

THE TOXIC AVENGER PART II [Unrated Director's Cut*] Blu-ray
– Introduction by Director Lloyd Kaufman
– Audio Commentary With Director Lloyd Kaufman
– "At Home with Toxie" Mockumentary
– Interview with Cast Member Lisa Gaye
– Japanese News Report On The Filming of The Toxic Avenger Part II
– "Radiation March" Short Film Directed by Lloyd Kaufman
– The American Cinematheque Honors 40 Years of Troma
– Trailers

THE TOXIC AVENGER PART III: THE LAST TEMPTATION OF TOXIE [Unrated Director's Cut] 4K Ultra HD
– Prologue by Director Lloyd Kaufman
– Audio Commentary with Director Lloyd Kaufman
– Audio Commentary with Cast Member Joe Fleishaker

THE TOXIC AVENGER PART III: THE LAST TEMPTATION OF TOXIE [Unrated Director's Cut] Blu-ray
– Audio Commentary with Director Lloyd Kaufman
– Audio Commentary with Cast Member Joe Fleishaker
– Behind the Scenes of the "Return to Nuke 'em High Vol. 1" screening at MOMA
– The American Cinematheque Honors 40 Years of Troma
– "Make Your Own Damn Horror Film" – Behind the Scenes of Old 37 with Kane Hodder and Bill Moseley
– "A Halloween Carol" Short Film
– Infomercial for "Rabid Grannies" Blu-ray Release
– "Radiation March" Short Film Directed by Lloyd Kaufman

CITIZEN TOXIE: THE TOXIC AVENGER PART IV [Unrated Director's Cut] 4K Ultra HD
– Prologue by Director Lloyd Kaufman
– Audio Commentary with Director Lloyd Kaufman
– Audio Commentary with Editor Gabriel Griedman
– Audio Commentary with Cast Member Trent Haaga

CITIZEN TOXIE: THE TOXIC AVENGER PART IV [Unrated Director's Cut] Blu-ray
– "Apocalypse Soon: The Making of Citizen Toxie" Behind the Scenes Documentary
– Audio Commentary with Director Lloyd Kaufman
– Audio Commentary with Editor Gabriel Friedman
– Audio Commentary with Cast Member Trent Haaga
– Tribute to Lemmy Kilmister
– The American Cinematheque Honors 40 Years of Troma
– Trailers

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[photo courtesy of TROMA FILMS, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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