Fantastic Fest 2023: The Toxic Avenger — A Rip-Roaring Reboot That Nails The Troma Vibe
A horrible toxic accident transforms downtrodden janitor Winston Gooze into a new evolution of hero: THE TOXIC AVENGER! Now wielding a glowing mop with super-human strength, he must race against time to save his son and stop a ruthless and power-hungry tyrant bent on harnessing toxic superpowers to strengthen his polluted empire.
1984’s The Toxic Avenger put Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz on the map and set Troma up as a movie production house built on politically-incorrect humor, gory practical effects, and over-the-top camp. The original is a real bonafide gutter romp bolstered by its low-budget grit, gumption, grotesquerie, and guts. It’s easy to dismiss its revoltingly funny, manically madcap, and wickedly warped trash art (emphasis on trash) as a bad-taste satire, but underneath the layers of extra sleazy and cheesy sludge is a pretty cleverly crafted toxic takedown of America’s pollution, corruption, and crime.
Nearly 40 years later, America hasn’t really changed. It’s done extraordinarily little to curb the corruption, cut the crime, or change the climate, so now, more than ever, is the time for Toxie to make his toxic return — murderous mop, monstrous deformity, and all. Because “a toxic world deserves a toxic hero.” Enter writer/director Macon Blair’s The Toxic Avenger, a studio reimagining of the iconic Troma cult classic.
The big question here is how will it stack up to the original, and I’m pleased to report it does so quite well. It’s a rip-roaring remake that’s a whole lot of fun! It captures that unmistakable and unique Troma spirit and carries it into the future, creating something that’s accessible to the mainstream and honors the fans of the original. It’s crafted with a clear love for the source material, but it doesn’t really borrow many of its story beats, and it comes at it with a complete sense of self-awareness and takes it in a hilariously fresh and new direction.
Blair has crafted an affectionate homage that totally nails the vibe of the original and delivered a marvelous midnight movie with instant cult appeal and grindhouse grit. He tones down the sleaze, expands its themes into even more topical terrain, adds more setup & character development, and even gives it a real sense of heart, all of which go a long way. He really just takes all the elements you love (or maybe hate) about the original — the glorious gore, the kooky camp, and toxic tomfoolery — and makes them better.
Blair also really flexes his chops as a writer and director here. His direction is incredibly effective, and he gives the film a strong sense of throwback style. The garish and sickly look to the cinematography and lighting is excellent and plays into the film’s theme of pollution. He somehow creates a tone that’s more serious and just as silly as the original, and his sense of humor is perfectly pitched to the camp and politics of the ‘84 film. The world building on display is also next level; he makes the charged-up, crime-ridden environment of “St. Roma’s Village” feel fresh, tactile, and lived in.
One of its most obvious improvements is its really incredible cast, which includes Peter Dinklage, Jacob Tremblay, Taylour Paige, Kevin Bacon, and Elijah Wood. Everyone got the assignment here and delivers an entertaining performance that revels in the other-the-top and larger-than-life. Peter Dinklage really brings a lot of gravity, pathos, and empathy to Winston Gooze. He also gets to have a lot of fun as Toxie, with the added bonus of being more than just a disembodied voice. This is Dinklage like you’ve never seen him before, and man, is he such a joy to watch. Kevin Bacon also dials in a really BIG performance and is clearly having a lot of fun, which is infectious. We also have to give a shoutout to Elijah Wood cosplaying as Penguin, David Yow in the cameo of the year, and whole Killer Nuts crew, the hysterical “monster core” ICP/Slipknot hybrid band.
Forget about Marvel, The Toxic Avenger is the superhero movie we all need and deserve — and it’s likely to be the best and most gleefully grotesque superhero flick of the year. There’s some digital blood and CGI flourishes that briefly pollute its charm and corrode its charge, but it also embraces a lot of gross-out practical effects as well. Blair and his team have done an astounding job. They strip out the problematic areas and smooth out the rough edges while maintaining that special Troma tone, and they even embed a lot of easter eggs for the Troma fans. Honestly, we think their efforts have eclipsed the original. That said, many moviegoers might not rock with it, but we had a blast. More toxic sludge please!
Recommendation: If you’re a fan of the original, this is an absolute must. If you’re uninitiated, you should also come bask in the pollution and see Peter Dinklage play a freakazoid folk hero.
What do you think? We want to know. Share your thoughts and feelings in the comments section below, and as always, remember to viddy well!