Review of The Toxic Avenger (1984) by Jake A — 28 May 2011

Melvin (Mark Torgl) is a janitor at a health club in Tromaville, New Jersey. He's looked upon as a nerd because of his scrawny size and weak temperament. One day he is tricked into wearing a pink tutu and kissing a sheep by four regulars in the club he works at.

Melvin is then chased out of a second-story window and into a barrel of toxic waste, which starts to burn away at his flesh. Soon after, Melvin arises as a deformed creature of sorts, possessing superhuman strength and a commanding voice.

He then uses his new found powers as a protecter of the innocent, ridding their tormenters every chance he gets as The Toxic Avenger. Yes, the storyline is pure grill cheese, as well as the acting of it's characters, but the violence associated with the plot gives the film it's edge.

This is the only reason why The Toxic Avenger shines, providing campy scenes and quirky dialogue to the masses. The idea of a deformed creature loved by the people of it's town for being ruthlesss to it's criminals, offering up heaping amounts of blood and gore, only happens in the world of Troma.

This is why the eighties was so lively in the B-Grade corner of cinema.