Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 17, 2023

Eager to horrify audiences with all new depths of depravity, Troma Entertainment reaches, quite intentionally, a specific low point with 2000’s “Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV,” their final installment in the weirdly enduring franchise. Director/co-writer Lloyd Kaufman throws everything he can into this sequel, working up a sweat to transform the picture into the most offensive movie in the history of the company, swerving wildly as the production makes fun of school shootings, the developmentally disabled, lynching, and abortion. Granted, Troma isn’t one to play nice, always begging for attention, but there are limits to how much odious behavior one can take from a helmer who can’t even conquer basic camera focus issues. At 109 minutes, “Citizen Toxie” feels like it runs an entire decade, with grotesque shenanigans and strident performances losing their appeal after 109 seconds. The Superhero from New Jersey is back for his fourth adventure, but perhaps three of these things were enough.

Inside the Tromaville School for the Very Special, the Diaper Mafia has taken staff and students hostage, planting a bomb as they carry out their plan to terrorize the city. Helping to save the day is the Toxic Avenger (played by David Mattey, voiced by Clyde Lewis), who, joined by sidekick Lardass (Joe Fleishaker), manages to disrupt the nightmare with his sheer chemical power. However, an accident with the bomb manages to split dimensions, sending Toxie to Amortville, where nobody recognizes the superhero. Back in Tromaville, doppelganger Noxie rises to power, spreading his evil everywhere, making life impossible for the desperate community. Searching for a way back to his dimension, Toxie is more concerned about blind girlfriend Sarah (Heidi Sjursen), with the safety of her pregnancy on the line as good vs. evil do battle inside the womb.

For additional information and analysis, please read the 2015 Blu-ray review.

Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

2000's "Citizen Toxie" is the last of the O.G. "Toxic Avenger" movies, and benefits from its more recent production date. The UHD viewing experience is quite clear, with excellent fine detail throughout, picking up on fine hairs, facial particulars, and the nauseating additions to this world of bodily fluids and monster makeup. Town tours are dimensional, and interiors are loaded with decorative additions that are easily explored. Costuming is fibrous, offering a varied look at soiled outfits. Colors are alive, with a fresh sense of primaries, delivering rich greens and deep blues. More earthy Toxie hues are also appealing, and greenery is distinct. Skin tones are natural. Costuming is bright, with hearty yellows and pinks common. Delineation is satisfactory. Highlights are tasteful. Grain is nicely resolved. Source is in good condition, with some damaged frames.

Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA also benefits from being a more recent production, offering a decent understanding of hyperactive dialogue exchanges, seemingly improving on the older Blu-ray release with a slight increase in clarity. Soundtrack selections register with acceptable instrumentation and balance with the chaotic atmosphere of the feature. Sound effects are clear.

Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

UHD

• Intro (2:01, HD) finds Troma Entertainment honcho Lloyd Kaufman on the front steps of the Troma building in New York City, busking with a clarinet. He welcomes viewers to the "TA on 4K" viewing experience, trying to sell "Citizen Toxie" as a film ahead of its time, sending a warning to viewers about the loss of American freedoms, especially concerning the issue of abortion.

• Commentary #1 features co-writer/director Lloyd Kaufman.

• Commentary #2 features producer Trent Haaga and actor Michael Budinger.

• Commentary #3 features editors Gabe Friedman and Sean McGrath.

Blu-ray

• Intro (3:15, HD) catches up with Lloyd Kaufman at Stan Lee's Comikaze, where he's joined by Gabe Friedman ("Poultrygeist" screenwriter and editor of "Citizen Toxie") and "Transgender Toxie" to discuss this "lovingly recreated" Blu-ray.

• Commentary #1 features co-writer/director Lloyd Kaufman.

• Commentary #2 features producer Trent Haaga and actor Michael Budinger.

• Commentary #3 features editors Gabe Friedman and Sean McGrath.

• "Apocalypse Soon" (147:50, SD) is a sprawling making-of that delivers a terrific fly-on-the-wall perspective on the "Citizen Toxie" shoot. Nothing is denied here, highlighting casting, location shooting, and crew camaraderie, though Kaufman is the primary focus, with his easily frustrated directorial style displayed in full. "Uncle Lloyd" has limited patience with problems, coming up against camera malfunctions, crew walkouts, and actresses who refuse to do nudity, managing a mix of anger and passive aggressive behavior that's an absolute treat to watch. "Apocalypse Soon" is a very detailed and honest portrait of Troma moviemaking, identifying the challenges of limited budgets and amateur contributions. It's an outstanding documentary.

• "40 Years of Troma" (2:03, SD) is a short appreciation of the studio's achievements.

• "Troma's Tribute to Lemmy" (8:14, SD) is a collection of moments spent with the Motorhead frontman, who's been a longtime studio supporter.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Citizen Toxie" misfires on multiple levels, but the suggestion that this is the one true continuation for the superhero story stings the most. Kaufman fumbles irreverence and focuses too hard on shock value, forgetting the mild but present pleasures of the original effort and its less successful sequels. Instead of building a stronger, more colorful Tromaville for Toxie to protect, he's essentially created a giant mess of ideas and personalities trying to pass as a macabre extravaganza. The mop is officially all dried out.