David Bridges
The legendary Troma head, Lloyd Kaufman, has been actively promoting The Toxic Avenger, a vibrant reimagining of the studio’s iconic 1984 cult classic, which is primed to captivate a new audience when it premieres in theaters this month. During an engaging discussion with io9 at the recent San Diego Comic-Con, we seized the opportunity to ask Kaufman which other films from Troma’s extensive catalog should be the first choice for new fans after experiencing Blair’s rendition.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Kaufman enthusiastically recommended, “The fourth Toxic Avenger movie, Citizen Toxie.” He elaborated, highlighting its tackling of contemporary issues such as abortion and school shootings, asserting, “It deals with everything that an American can be proud of right now. Made in 2000, it’s 25 years old, and all those issues are still more critical than ever.”
A few moments later, he reaffirmed his preference for Citizen Toxie, stating, “It’s the best one. I like that one the best.”
Kaufman not only directed but also co-wrote the film, which carries the full title Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV. The movie kicks off with a narrator who may sound familiar to fans (the beloved Stan Lee), who recaps the original film, apologizes for the two “rotten” sequels that followed, and confidently assures the audience through on-screen text that “This is the Real Sequel.”
Once this premise is established, viewers are immediately thrust into a whirlwind of offensiveness that knows no bounds. If any aspect of the film makes you cringe or feel nauseous, brace yourself because something even more shocking is sure to follow in just a matter of seconds. Troma’s unique approach is to aim for the most controversial topics, all while poking fun at everyone and everything, and igniting a flame against anything that resembles political correctness.
Despite the rapid-fire jokes that are intentionally drenched in poor taste, there is an underlying plot that propels the film forward. The story commences at the “Tromaville School for the Very Special” on “take a Mexican to lunch day,” where a gang of gun-toting adult babies barges in and begins a horrific assault on the students. This shocking scenario serves as a backdrop for an outrageous array of poop jokes, lurid groping, gratuitous nudity, excessive gore, and exaggerated performances. This relentless onslaught continues throughout the film, challenging viewers to decide whether they can endure the remainder of the chaos.
For those brave enough to watch, an unexpectedly clever setup begins to unfold: when the school explodes, Toxie (who rushes in to save everyone) and two of the “very special” students find themselves transported to a mirror universe. This alternate reality is dubbed “Amortville” instead of “Tromaville.” If that concept sounds too outlandish, viewers will be treated to a cameo from none other than James Gunn, who makes an appearance to perform a humorous imitation of Stephen Hawking while delivering a series of pseudo-scientific explanations.
While Toxie stumbles around this increasingly bizarre version of his reality, a character named “Noxie”—short for the Noxious Offender—takes his place in Tromaville. This leads to a series of chaotic events, with local Nazis reveling in the turmoil. Citizen Toxie lives up to its title by providing Noxie with a black-and-white newsreel reminiscent of a more debauched version of Citizen Kane. The film also features amusing character variations in each universe, including several hapless Troma “superheroes.” Throughout the chaos, the nefarious Noxie causes as much destruction as possible while Toxie frantically seeks a way back home, a journey that requires a nudge inspired by The Wizard of Oz.
The film culminates in a face-off between the two characters using mops that resemble Star Wars lightsabers. However, you may find yourself fatigued long before the film’s conclusion, which includes a cameo from Kaufman himself (in a movie filled with cameos; aside from Lee and Gunn, there are appearances by Eli Roth, Motorhead’s Lemmy, Ron Jeremy, Corey Feldman, and possibly more). Even if the humor resonates with you, Citizen Toxie may still provoke genuine offense. For me, the scene depicting a racist dragging—echoing an actual hate crime that audiences in 2000 would likely remember—crosses the line, even if, in this context, the intended victim’s head survives and evolves into a charismatic supporting character.
While it’s true that the film lacks considerable depth and nuance, amid the torrents of bodily fluids, there exists a certain free-spirited chaos that defines Troma’s ethos. The studio isn’t attempting to “own” any sensitive viewers or to rebel against wokeness, concepts that didn’t even exist back in 2000. Above all, its primary goal is to entertain, and it does so by taking the most outrageous route possible.
Despite the plethora of disgusting jokes and stereotypes, the film’s misshapen hero genuinely strives to be a good person. This sentiment carries over into the new Toxie Avenger, which refreshes Troma’s more outdated elements in the best ways possible, resulting in a film that is more intelligent than crass (though it remains crass when necessary). Both films communicate essential messages: avoid being a jerk, stand firm for your beliefs, advocate for those who cannot, and embrace whatever makes you unique and different—like being a devoted Troma fan, for instance.
Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV is available for streaming at no cost on Prime Video and can also be accessed through Troma’s own streaming platform, Troma Now. Don’t miss the release of The Toxic Avenger, which hits theaters on August 29.
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Brandon Fletcher
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