The Toxic Avenger

Directed by Michael Herz and Samuel Weil, The Toxic Avenger follows a put-upon nerd as he’s transformed into the title crusader after a group of bullies chase him into a vat of dangerous waste. It’s perhaps not surprising to note, given the picture’s status as a Troma release, that The Toxic Avenger has been infused with as low-budget and low-rent a feel as one could envision, although it’s equally apparent that filmmakers Herz and Weil manage to wring an impressive amount of production value out of what’s clearly a shoestring – as the picture admittedly does boast some impressive special effects and a small handful of set pieces that belie its lack of cash. It’s clear, then, that the central problem here is the painfully broad feel that’s been hard-wired into every aspect of the proceedings, with the movie suffering from loud, nails-on-a-chalkboard performances that are compounded by a continuing reliance on distressingly unfunny (and, of course, hopelessly larger than life) jokes and gags – which does ensure that it becomes increasingly difficult to work up any interest in or enthusiasm for any of this. The big finale is subsequently unable to pack the exciting punch that Herz and Weil have obviously intended, and it is, in the end, fairly obvious that The Toxic Avenger requires, nay demands, that the viewer get onto its extremely specific wavelength (ie the picture might just work for those willing to embrace its less-than-subtle modus operandi).

* out of ****