Synopsis
Nothing more can be said about this film except that it is the film that put Troma on the map. After the involvement in the pre-production of Rocky in 1975, Lloyd Kaufman conceived an idea to make a film with a scene of a health club. Seven years later, he met Michael Herz and two years later made a ‘Health Club Horror’. Maybe it was the situation at the time, but they decided to mix a 50’s monsters with slasher leftovers and sprinkled in comedy and gore for good measure. To add to the flavor, they threw in the color green and advertently put in an environmental message as well. Thus The Toxic Avenger was born. The film is about Tromaville Health Club’s 98lb weakling janitor named Melvin, who after a severe humiliation, ends up diving head first from a window into a barrel of toxic chemical waste that transforms him into a hideously deformed creature of superhuman size and strength. He uses his newfound powers to clean up the corrupt town of Tromaville, much to the chagrin of the corrupt mayor, and meets a beautiful blind woman named Sarah, who he falls in love with. After putting fear into the hearts of people with his monstrous grunts, Toxie surprises them with his soft voice when speaking to them, thus bringing horror, fear, relief, and comedy to the audience. Those looking for some 80’s style humor and gore, instead of today’s cool and sleek style, are sure to love this film. (KIM Ji-hoon)