IS IT STILL RELEVANT? THE TOXIC AVENGER (1986)

With the recent reboot of THE TOXIC AVENGER franchise, Jason revisits the original Troma film and asks if the movie about a janitor defending the weak from bullies is still relevant.

When I was a child, I was fortunate enough to have my taste in movies shaped by an amazing show that aired every Friday and Saturday night on the USA channel. USA Up All Night, featuring one of three hosts, including the legendary Gilbert Gottfried, was my first and favorite introduction into the world of “B” cinema, and despite being edited and censored, and no matter what they were showing, which was usually either a cheesy action flick, a rowdy sex comedy or a low budget horror film, I could be found both nights sitting in front of the screen until my eyelids became too heavy to continue to hold up. It was this show that helped introduce me to many of the films that I continue to love today, as I’ve clearly not matured at all over the years between. One of the standout films, and honestly, most responsible for leading me to become the version that is typing this has recently experienced a bit of a revival in popularity, mostly due to a remake a few years in the making finally getting a proper release, showing the normal people what us weirdos have known for years. Troma Entertainment, and its founder Lloyd Kaufman, fucking rule.

That’s right. It’s time to talk about The Toxic Avenger.

The first film to take place in Tromaville, and begins with Melvin, played by Mark Torgl, who works as a janitor at a spa, falling victim to a prank involving both a sheep and a pink tutu, which goes horribly wrong and ends with poor Melvin falling out of a window and landing in a barrel of toxic waste, transforming him into a hideously deformed mutant with superhuman size and strength, and the hero of our story. What follows still ranks as one of the strangest and most entertaining superhero films that you’ll ever see. Armed with his trusty mop, The Toxic Avenger vows to clean up the streets of Tromaville, from corruption and crime, and lucky for us viewers, there is no shortage of either of them. What follows includes gratuitous violence, sex with a blind girl, and the scene that earned Kaufman the most hate mail that he’s ever received, which is a record that still holds today.

Previous to this film, Troma mostly dabbled in cheap sex comedies, with the stand out being the horror film Mother’s Day, written by Lloyd’s brother, Charles. The Toxic Avenger was truly the blueprint of what Troma films would become in the future, and alone solidified their place as one of the top independent companies in the world of cinema during the 80’s and the 90’s. Those of us old enough to remember the marketing to boost sales still shake our heads at the Toxic Crusaders cartoon and toys that followed, as an attempt to include children in the fanbase, despite most of them not being allowed to actually watch the films that inspired both. I’m honestly shocked that there wasn’t a breakfast cereal to follow. While those that are familiar with the studio and their output today can easily take for granted the fact that most Troma releases know why the audience is tuning in, and gleefully supply more than their fair share of blood, nipples and fart jokes, but honestly, it was probably this failure to truly connect with a more mainstream audience that lead us to this point.

Now, while it’s easy to focus on all of the naked people and the gore that gets so copious that it becomes ludicrous, I’m going to say something that is going to sound really stupid on the surface, especially for those of you that have actually witnessed this film for themselves, but beneath all of the Troma traits lies one of the greatest morality films of all time. Hear me out…

Not only does this film teach that protection of our environment is key in sustaining our health and quality of life, leaning heavily into the toxic part of the avenging, but also stands as one of the greatest examples of an anti-bullying PSA that one could find in any film, and shows us why being a corrupt politician never works out (and if only life would imitate art in this aspect, we would all be much better off), and gives us many choice reasons why crime doesn’t pay. It teaches decency and the importance of community, and lets us know that we all have the potential to be a hero, even if we aren’t gifted with superhuman size and strength, and finally, stands as a testament that no matter how good your movie is, if you have a seeing eye dog getting shot during a robbery, you better prepare yourself to read some very angry fan mail.

Not counting the new release, there are four films in this series, and while the second and third installment are skippable for anyone that isn’t a devoted fan, the first and fourth film, Citizen Toxie, are both brilliant and are required viewing for anyone interested in quality independent cinema. Go see the new one and give Uncle Lloyd the support and love that he deserves, and then come home, pop this guy in your preferred viewing method (which a 4K boxset was just released in the very recent past) and discover the beginning of this story. A story of a man, and his mop, and his mission to stand up for truth, justice and the power of his mop. A story with tons of heart and important lessons, even if they’re both buried beneath a mountain of dick jokes.

Jason Kuykendall has been a horror fan since the age of two, when his mother sat him down in front of When a Stranger Calls, so she began using horror movies as a babysitter. His favorite job was a mom and pop video store that he worked at when he was sixteen. He runs Creepy Bat Book Review but is thinking about firing and replacing himself due to how slack he’s become in his work. He’s made of 85% tattoos, 35% compassion, and 69% spite, and he also doesn’t understand math. He won’t pet your service dog, but he really, really wants to.

PLEASE NOTE: The views and opinions of the staff of Memento Mori Ink do not necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or Crystal Lake Publishing. Thank you for understanding.