PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Hot on the heels of the Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones, Elf) led re-imagining, the unhinged folks over at Troma have decided that this is the perfect time to release the Toxic Avenger franchise of films on remastered 4K UHD versions.
Perhaps the film that can be singularly traced as the one that opened the floodgates to cheesy but inspired home entertainment in the 80s, The Toxic Avenger quickly became a beloved underground classic and forever cemented Troma Entertainment as “the house that Toxie built.” Now, the film geeks at Vinegar Syndrome have lovingly restored and remastered – from the original negatives – the entire series of films for mass ultra-HD consumption.
With both the original film and its three sequels telling the continuing adventures of janitor-turned-deformed-super-hero, The Toxic Avenger – producer/director Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz’s cash cow – turned indie cinema on its ear and created a low-key cultural phenomenon. But is a 4K set really worth the upgrade from standard Blu-ray for anyone but the most rabid fan? Let’s take a look…
Included in this set are: The Toxic Avenger (1984), The Toxic Avenger Part II (1989), The Toxic Avenger III: The Last Temptation of Toxie (1989), and The Toxic Avenger IV: Citizen Toxie (2000). The entire series features John Altamura, Marisa Tomei, Mark Torgl, Ron Fazio, Lemmy, Randy & Jason Sklar, Mitch Cohen, Phoebe Legre, Debbie Rochon, Michael Jai White, Corey Feldman, Eli Roth, James Gunn, Stan Lee, and Tiffany Shepis, among many, many others.
The first thing you notice about the TA on 4K set is the cool toxic slime green slip-case box with embossed artwork (and hey Lloyd, bring back the green plastic cases, pleeeeeeease!), and the slick black 4K cases nestled within. Nothing new in the way of cover art, but the OG art still works because who can resist Toxie in the “classic super-hero pose?” So, there’s enough variation here to satisfy the guys pointing their fingers and screaming “cash grab” (and who could ever accuse Troma of that?) and enough retention to keep the purists bitching about the new film happy.
As for the films themselves, they’re all presented here in both region free 4K and Blu formats, and for the first time together, all four films in their uncut, uncensored glory! With all new introductions from everyone’s favorite crazy uncle, Lloyd Kaufman, all four films look incredibly crisp and detailed. The guys at Vin Syn know their stuff, and the newly bumped up audio perfectly complements the contrast and color of films that have no real business looking this good as, knowing Troma, I’m sure they were originally shot on low-cost film stock. The blood, bile, and toxic waste never looked so amazing!
The extras are legion on this set as every separate film disc has their own version, with most loaded on the Blu-ray versions, but you still get all of the great stuff from past issues. With commentary tracks featuring Kaufman, frequent contributor Trent Haaga (Deadgirl), and star Joe Fleishaker, there are also tribute pieces for the late Fleishaker and Lemmy. Behind the scenes featurettes from Return to Nuke ‘Em High, Old 37, and Rabid Grannies are a testament to the studio’s ability to pimp their own product, and the doc Apocalypse Soon, which should be essential viewing for anyone considering a foray into indie film production, is again featured on the part four disc. A couple of Kaufman’s short films are also included.
All in all, this set is a genuine upgrade from the previous Blu-ray set and deserves an honored place on the shelves of collectors and casuals alike. An audio issue on the part three disc – pointed out by several reviewers -never materialized on my 4K deck, but apparently did on others so make sure your firmware is in order. But other than that, the new set is a winner on virtually every level. Grab one of these soon, because as the box points out, Lloyd Kaufman is over 70 and can croak any minute, sending re-sale prices into the stratosphere!
The Troma TA on 4K: The Toxic Avenger UHD Set will be available on 10/24/23 from all fine retailers.
