Review of The Toxic Avenger (1984) by Stuart K — 06 Feb 2015

Produced and directed by Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman, whose company Troma Entertainment made very low budget B-Movies with often very dubious subject matters. This was their biggest success, and it was their first 'horror' film, (if you can call it that), after many sex comedies before that.

While it might not be in the best of taste, you can see it's established a cult fanbase over the years. Set in Tromaville, New Jersey. Janitor Melvin Ferd III (Mark Torgl) works at the Tromaville Health Club, and he's constantly bullied by Bozo (Gary Schneider), Slug (Robert Prichard), Wanda (Jennifer Babtist) and Julie (Cindy Manion).

They humiliate him one day, and Melvin falls into a vat of toxic waste, which causes his body to change, and he mutates into a hideous creature who happens to have superhuman strength and abilities. He decides to use these powers to keep Tromaville safe from criminals, and he decides to get even with Bozo, Slug, Wanda and Julie, who partake in violent hit and runs, and take photos of the victims for sexual pleasure.

You can accuse Troma's films of being in poor taste or cheaply made, but you can't accuse them of not being entertaining or boring, and this is certainly a compelling and at times, laugh out loud funny superhero film.

The acting is horrendous but that gives it it's charm. This spawned several sequels and a Saturday Morning cartoon!!