The Toxic Avenger Collection – Troma Films (4k UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Dates: USA, 1984 (The Toxic Avenger), USA, 1989 (The Toxic Avenger Part II, The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie), USA, 2000 (Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV)
Directors: Michael Herz, Lloyd Kaufman (The Toxic Avenger, The Toxic Avenger Part II, The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie), Lloyd Kaufman (Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV)
Cast: Andree Maranda, Mitch Cohen, Jennifer Babtist, Cindy Manion, Robert Prichard, Gary Schneider, Mark Torgl (The Toxic Avenger), Ron Fazio, John Altamura, Phoebe Legere, Rick Collins, Lisa Gaye, Jessica Dublin, Michael Jai White, Paul Borghese (The Toxic Avenger Part II, The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie), David Mattey, Clyde Lewis, Heidi Sjursen, Paul Kyrmse, Joe Fleishaker, Mark Torgl (Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV)

Release Date: October 24th, 2023
Approximate Running Times: 82 Minutes 10 Seconds (The Toxic Avenger), 108 Minutes 39 Seconds (The Toxic Avenger Part II), 103 Minutes 30 Seconds (The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie), 108 Minutes 52 Seconds (Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / HDR10 (All Films)
Rating: R
Sound: DTS-HD Stereo English (All Films)
Subtitles: English SDH (All Films)
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $139.95

"Tromaville, New Jersey has a monstrous new hero! The Toxic Avenger is born when meek mop boy Melvin (Mark Torgl, The First Turn-On) falls into a vat of toxic waste after being relentlessly bullied by the jerks in the health club where he works. Now Toxie is here to serve and protect the people of Tromaville from evildoers out to destroy him and the town!" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5 (4K UHD), 4.25/5 (Blu-ray)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfers, "New 4K scan and restoration (from the films' original camera negatives*) of each film presented in their original 1.85:1 aspect ratio in HDR."

The Toxic Avenger comes on a 66 GB dual layer 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 58.7 GB

Feature: 56.4 GB

The Toxic Avenger comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 34.6 GB

Feature: 23.6 GB

The Blu-ray uses the same source as the 4K UHD does for its transfer.

The Toxic Avenger Part II comes on a 66 GB dual layer 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 61 GB

Feature: 59 GB

"The original negative of The Toxic Avenger Part II, while complete, was missing several short dialogue sequences in the opening third, which had been removed for pacing reasons. Although no film materials for these sequences could be located, in order to present the most complete version possible, these short segments were inserted from the highest quality digital master."

The Toxic Avenger Part II comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 37.8 GB

Feature: 31.2 GB

The Blu-ray uses the same source as the 4K UHD does for its transfer.

The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie comes on a 66 GB dual layer 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 60 GB

Feature: 57.8 GB

The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 37.8 GB

Feature: 29.4 GB

The Blu-ray uses the same source as the 4K UHD does for its transfer.

Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV comes on a 66 GB dual layer 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 60.5 GB

Feature: 58.7 GB

Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 39.3 GB

Feature: 31.6 GB

The Blu-ray uses the same source as the 4K UHD does for its transfer.

The sources for these four film transfers are in similar shape; they have all been sourced from original camera negatives, and said sources are in great shape. That said, there are still some very minor instances of print debris, and when later films use footage from earlier films in the series, the quality is not as strong as the bulk of that film's transfer.

When it comes to color saturation, image clarity, contrast, and black levels, these areas have never looked better than they do for these transfers. Also, compression is solid, there is a healthy amount of grain throughout these transfers, and all of these transfers always look organic.

Audio: 4.25/5

Each film comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD stereo mix in English. When compared to previous home video releases that only came with Dolby Digital audio tracks, these new DTS-HD audio tracks are a noticeable improvement. All audio tracks sound clean, free of any background noise or distortion. Dialog always comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced. Range-wise, these tracks do a great job with ambient sounds, and the scores all sound appropriately robust. Included are removable English SDHs for each film.

Extras:

Extras on The Toxic Avenger 4K UHD disc include an introduction by co-director Lloyd Kaufman (1 minute 35 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an archival audio commentary with actors Robert Prichard, Gary Schneider, and Dan Snow, and an archival audio commentary with Lloyd Kaufman.

Extras on The Toxic Avenger Blu-ray disc include an archival introduction by Lloyd Kaufman (4 minutes 22 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a trailer for The Toxic Avenger (3 minutes 11 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Mark Torgl’s special video (6 minutes 18 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), 40 years of Troma (2 minutes 3 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a behind the scene production slideshow, an archival interview with actress Jennifer Baptist (18 minutes 39 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with Robert Prichard (2 minutes 37 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with Mitch Cohen (8 minutes 47 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with Dan Snow (4 minutes 38 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with co-director Michael Herz (15 minutes 23 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival audio commentary with Robert Prichard, Gary Schneider, and Dan Snow, an archival audio commentary with Lloyd Kaufman, and trailers for The Toxic Avenger II, The Toxic Avenger III: The Last Temptation of Toxie, Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV, and Return to Nuke ‘Em High.

Extras on The Toxic Avenger II UHD disc include an introduction by co-director Lloyd Kaufman (1 minute 56 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an archival audio commentary with Lloyd Kaufman, and editorial department Ronny Thomas and Sean McGrath.

Extras on The Toxic Avenger II Blu-ray disc include an archival introduction by Lloyd Kaufman (3 minutes 6 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a trailer for The Toxic Avenger II (2 minutes 19 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), "Radiation March" short film directed by Lloyd Kaufman (56 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), The American Cinematheque Honors 40 Years of Troma (2 minutes 3 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), original DVD intro (41 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Japanese News Report On The Filming of The Toxic Avenger Part II (3 minutes 7 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese, no subtitles), an interview with actress Lisa Gaye (2 minutes 15 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), "At Home with Toxie" mockumentary (3 minutes 51 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival audio commentary with Lloyd Kaufman, Ronny Thomas and Sean McGrath, and trailers for The Toxic Avenger, The Toxic Avenger III: The Last Temptation of Toxie, Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV, Troma’s War, Return to Nuke ‘Em High: Vol. 1, and Return to Nuke ‘Em High: Vol. 2.

Extras on The Toxic Avenger III: The Last Temptation of Toxie UHD disc include an introduction by co-director Lloyd Kaufman (1 minute 33 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an archival audio commentary with actor Joe Fleishaker, and an archival audio commentary with Lloyd Kaufman, and editorial department Ronny Thomas and Sean McGrath.

Extras on The Toxic Avenger III: The Last Temptation of Toxie Blu-ray disc include an archival introduction by Lloyd Kaufman (3 minutes 6 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a trailer for The Toxic Avenger III: The Last Temptation of Toxie (3 minutes, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), "Radiation March" short film directed by Lloyd Kaufman (56 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Infomercial for Rabid Grannies Blu-ray release (1 minute 56 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), "A Halloween Carol" short film (9 minutes 54 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Make Your Own Damn Horror Film (11 minutes 26 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), The American Cinematheque Honors 40 Years of Troma (2 minutes 3 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a behind the scenes of the Return to Nuke 'em High Vol. 1 screening at MOM titled Tromoma (11 minutes 40 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival audio commentary with Lloyd Kaufman, Ronny Thomas and Sean McGrath, an archival audio commentary with actor Joe Fleishaker, and trailers for The Toxic Avenger, The Toxic Avenger II, Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV, Return to Nuke ‘Em High: Vol. 1, and Return to Nuke ‘Em High: Vol. 2.

Extras on Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV UHD disc include an introduction by co-director Lloyd Kaufman (2 minutes 31 second, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an archival audio commentary with Lloyd Kaufman, an archival audio commentary with editor Gabriel Griedman and associate editor Sean McGrath, and an archival audio commentary with actor/screenwriter Trent Haaga and actor Michael Budinger.

Extras on Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV Blu-ray disc include an archival introduction by Lloyd Kaufman (3 minutes 15 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), The American Cinematheque Honors 40 Years of Troma (2 minutes 3 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Troma’s tribute to Lemmy (8 minutes 14 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a behind the scenes documentary titled Apocalypse Soon: The Making of Citizen Toxie (2 hours 17 seconds 48 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival audio commentary with Lloyd Kaufman, an archival audio commentary with Gabriel Griedman and Sean McGrath, and an archival audio commentary with Trent Haaga and Michael Budinger, and trailers for Return to Nuke ‘Em High: Vol. 1, Return to Nuke ‘Em High: Vol. 2., and Pro-Wrestlers vs. Zombies.

Other extras include a collectible Toxic Avenger postcard.

Summary:

The Toxic Avenger is the first film in a series that, to date, has produced three sequels and one remake. The main premise is that a weakly named Melvin becomes a mutant superhero after falling into a vat of toxic waste. From there, he dedicates his life to protecting the innocent from evildoers.

Though Troma had been around for a decade by the time they made The Toxic Avenger, most of their output up to that point was sex-themed comedies or films that they picked up after they were completed. A film like The Toxic Avenger can be seen as an important turning point since many of its elements, like outrageous moments of carnage and vulgar humor that most would find politically incorrect, are just a few elements that would become staples of Troma’s films that followed The Toxic Avenger.

At 82 minutes in length, The Toxic Avenger is a film that never overstays its welcome. The narrative moves along briskly. Also, there is an ample amount of black humor, T&A, carnage, and mayhem. And though the acting is never going to win awards, that is not a problem since the performances suit the story that unfolds.

Some of the more memorable moments are when two psychopaths and their girlfriends run over people as part of a game in which they get points, severed body parts used as weapons by The Toxic Avenger, and Sara, the blind woman who has fallen in love with The Toxic Avenger, and her inactions with The Toxic Avenger. Ultimately, The Toxic Avenger is a solid exploitation film that is arguably the best film Troma ever made.

Though The Toxic Avenger Part II features all of the elements that made its predecessors a success, when it comes to sequels, they can be hit or miss, with The Toxic Avenger Part II falling into the latter category. This time around, The Toxic Avenger takes on an evil corporation that wants to turn Tromaville into a toxic landfill.

The first thing that grabs you while watching The Toxic Avenger Part II is how drastically different tone-wise it is when compared to its predecessor. Where humor plays a role in the first film, things have been turned up to eleven and then some for this sequel. Which ultimately takes away from the impact of the humor that runs rampant throughout.

Of course, Gore makes a return for this sequel, though there are a few gruesome moments. These moments lack the potency that they had in spades in The Toxic Avenger. With that being said, one of the few enjoyable moments in The Toxic Avenger Part II is when the Toxic Avenger is forced to face a series of colorful villains (including his father), who all have their own distinctive way of fighting. The Toxic Avenger’s fight scene with the character who claims to be his father is without a doubt the most memorable moment.

Not all sequels are created equal. And in the case of The Toxic Avenger Part II, it is the often maligned sequel to what is arguably Troma's most revered film, The Toxic Avenger. And the end result is a super-sized caricature that tries very hard to recapture the essence of what made its predecessor so successful.

The third installment, The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie, was reportedly made because so much footage was shot for The Toxic Avenger Part II that Troma decided to make two films. This time around, the Toxic Avenger has cleaned up Tromaville, and in a moment of doubt about his importance, he’s tempted by the devil.

Though The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie’s narrative picks up where its predecessor left off, the thing that you quickly realize is that it repurposes a lot of footage from The Toxic Avenger, Part II.

The Toxic Avenger was a down-and-dirty exploitation film whose only purpose was to entertain. The sequels that followed it started to inject some social commentary, and The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie is a cautionary tale about the dangers of capitalism.

At just under 104 minutes in length, The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie is a chore to get through. The narrative feels drawn out, and the pacing is atrocious. And though the gory kill scenes are there, they lack the humor that made the first Toxic Avenger work so well.

It is easy to see why a film like The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie is part of a successful film series, and most of the footage was originally intended for its predecessor, making it a cheap film to produce. Unfortunately, it is the worst film in the Toxic Avenger film series.

Trying to top the film that preceded it in a film series is a daunting task. And after not being impressed with The Toxic Avenger Part II and The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie, I went into Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV with trepidation. This time around, the Toxic Avenger finds himself in a parallel universe where everyone is opposite to the universe he came from.

Though a sequel in name, Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV does not directly acknowledge the events of The Toxic Avenger Part II or The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie in its opening recap. The opening recap features narration by Stan Lee.

From its opening moments, Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV firmly establishes itself as the true successor to The Toxic Avenger. It is the sequel that should have happened instead of the two that preceded it. Content wise, Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV has all of the elements one has come to expect from a Troma film: politically incorrect humor and gratuitous, over-the-top moments of carnage.

Despite clocking in at just under 109 minutes in length, Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV does not feel as drawn out as its two predecessors. In fact, the narrative moves along at a brisk pace, and it does a great job building momentum towards a finale where good Toxie fights evil Toxie. As mentioned before, Troma is known for their subversive humor, and there are an ample amount of things in Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV that are sure to offend. Ultimately, Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV is a solid follow-up to The Toxic Avenger.

Troma Films The Toxic Avenger Collection is an excellent release that gives each film a solid audio/video presentation and informative extras, highly recommended.

Note about the 4K screenshots: It is not possible to make Dolby Vision or HDR10 screenshots that faithfully match the experience of watching a film in motion on a TV. Instead of not having any screenshots, all of the 4K screenshots are m2ts taken with a VLC player and lossless PNGs.

Written by Michael Den Boer