FILM CORNER: The Toxic Avenger is A Worthy Remake

Definitely the Remake We Needed

Back in March, I published my review of the soulless remake of Disney's Snow White, and if you would of told me then that a remake so over-the-top and insane would come out later in the year to make me feel better, I probably wouldn't believe you.

Months later, such an over-the-top and insane remake came out, and I loved every single second of it.

This weekend, I watched the recently released remake of The Toxic Avenger. For those who do not know anything about The Toxic Avenger, or Toxie as he is called by his fans, I'm going to give you the quickest rundown of probably the most insane series I have ever watched.

The original film was produced and released by Troma Entertainment in 1984, and it was produced and directed by Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman (who was credited as Samuel Weil). It was about a weak janitor named Melvin Ferd who fell into a vat of toxic waste and became the mutant hero of Tromaville where he fought against criminals and corrupt businessmen and politicians. The film was over-the-top with its violence, nudity, and sex scenes to the point that it was both disturbing yet hilarious.

Originally released at Fantastic Fest in 2023 before its official release this weekend due to a rough battle with finding a distributor who would have the film be released in cinemas, the remake focuses on a janitor named Winston Gooze, who is taking care of his late lover's son as well as dealing with a brain cancer diagnosis, and is thrown into a pool of toxic waste after getting caught stealing from his corrupt boss's business. He becomes the Toxic Avenger, and becomes a hero who, just like in the original, fights against criminals and corrupt businessmen.

With this remake, the gore is over-the-top as in the original, but takes the insanity level up to 11 with more added comedy that kept me laughing throughout the entire film.

I will say this: Macon Blair and both the fine folks at Legendary Pictures and Troma Entertainment made a remake that is worthy of watching for anyone who is a fan of over-the-top gore and comedy as well as long time fans of both Toxie and Troma Entertainment in general. The combined acting talents of both Peter Dinklage and Luisa Guerreiro as the Toxic Avenger makes the film a great watch, and even the added talents of both Elijah Wood and Kevin Bacon adds more intensity to the film.

Unlike Snow White, I highly recommend The Toxic Avenger! I do warn you that if you are a bit squeamish or easily offended to over-the-top graphic violence, you may want to sit this one out. If you are a parent, you might as well hire a babysitter before attending a screening as this film is definitely not for the kiddies.