THE TOXIC AVENGER: The only Troma film to make it in my book.

[Chris K.]

Let me start from the beginning. I am writing a big book on horror, sci-fi, and fantasy films complete with reviews and plot summaries as well as some small behind the scenes information about some of these films. My book contains the great directors like Roger Corman, Herschell Gordon Lewis, Andy Milligan, George A. Romero, Mario Bava, Dario Argento, Peter Jackson, etc. But, some have asked "What about Troma Films?" Well, I am NOT a big fan of Troma films. Some of their movies are just plain bad. And I like Lloyd Kaufman and he's the type of person I like, but the films are just not that good.

But one day I decided to watch THE TOXIC AVENGER the "Director's Cut" and let me say that THE TOXIC AVENGER is the ONLY Troma film that is in my book. Now the reason I liked THE TOXIC AVENGER is that it is a horror comedy and it is a funny film. It has some good acting (and for a Troma flick, THAT IS SAYING ALOT), decent special effects, a robust script, clever editing, colorful camerawork, etc. But why do all the other critics hate it? Well, they dislike it because it is too 1980's and that it's humor is tasteless. Well duh! But THE TOXIC AVENGER was the 1980's version of SCARY MOVIE! In fact the critics hate THE TOXIC AVENGER for being a good gross out comedy, but they praise the horrendous film SCARY MOVIE due to it's dull use of comedy for gross out moments! And SCARY MOVIE is a tasteless comedy, and yet they love it! THE TOXIC AVENGER was ahead of it's time for being a gross out comedy and it did put Troma on the map!

What do you think about this Troma "epic"? Is it your kind of film?

[Flangepart]

Try "The call of Nature". Any film that has G. Gordon Liddy dissing Jerry Lewis can't be all bad! Some what bad....but not all! Funny stuff, as i recall.

[Guitarwolf]

I don't know if you'll like it. But I would recommend watching Troma's War. The actors range from basic Troma acting, to decent. The film is considered by many to be the closest Troma will ever come to making a real film. Lloyd has stated that although people seem to like the Toxic Avenger best, that Troma's War is his personal favorite. The film was not what I was expecting from Troma. This movie at least proves that Lloyd could be a really good director if he just had a budget.

[mark]

my troma 2-cents...PTYRODACTYL  WOMAN FROM BEVERLY HILLS (1994)...directed by the guy that did communion (creepy stuff...that christopher walken...creepy creepy stuff) and some of the howling movies...

i haven't seen many troma films...like you, i don't seek them out...and i agree that toxic avenger is definitely a well-known and deserving leader in the troma library (again from what i've seen)...the campiness and gross-outs work in a way seldom seen (unfortunately)...

i also like class of nuke'em high and street trash (the scenes with the kid and the criminals have some great dialogue)...however, i am put off by a lot of the newer releases by troma...too self aware (yeah i know,  they always were...but sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't) and "shocking" for the sake of shocking...and the new "talking member" whatnot and soft-core slasher porn image does nothing for me...

ANYWAY...i recently rented PTYRODACTYL WOMAN FROM BEVERLY HILLS...starring beverly d'angelo---the mom from the national lampoon vacation movies...i didn't know it was troma and i was pleasantly surprised, having figured it was a class Z movie...there is some really witty fast-paced dialogue...it runs a little long and it's no toxic avenger or troma classic,  but for an occasional troma viewer, it definitely offers a different side to the company's outrageous reputation...compared to the other stuff, it's a family flick...