The Toxic Avenger Collection 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

The Toxic Avenger Collection 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 17, 2023

As the world awaits the release of a “Toxic Avenger” remake, Troma Entertainment looks to right some old wrongs with one of the biggest titles in their catalog. Troma has a troubled history when it comes to Blu-ray releases, but they march into UHD territory with all four “Toxic Avenger” movies, returning fans to the bloodied streets of New Jersey to relive all the low-budget shenanigans the brand name is known for. Only this time, all the grossness is in 4K, with fresh scans of the features.

Click here for a review of The Toxic Avenger

Click here for a review of The Toxic Avenger Part II

Click here for a review of The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie

Click here for a review of Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV

The Toxic Avenger Collection 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

See above for reviews.

The Toxic Avenger Collection 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

See above for reviews.

The Toxic Avenger Collection 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Toxic Avenger

UHD

• Intro (1:35, HD) visits Troma Entertainment honcho Lloyd Kaufman in his office, where he welcomes viewers to the "re- digitized director's cut" of "The Toxic Avenger." He also claims the feature is a major influence on current superhero entertainment, naming "Deadpool" and "Guardians of the Galaxy" as direct descendants.

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

• Commentary #2 features actors Gary Schneider, Robert Prichard, and Dan Snow, moderated by a member of the Troma Team.

Blu-ray

• Intro (4:22, HD) by Lloyd Kaufman finds the cult movie icon in "Hawaii," riding a surfboard while sharing information about "The Toxic Avenger." Michael Herz also appears in a hospital bed.

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

• Commentary #2 features actors Gary Schneider, Robert Prichard, and Dan Snow, moderated by a member of the Troma Team.

• Behind the Scenes and In Production Slideshow (4:19) presents numerous snapshots that showcase the creative force behind "The Toxic Avenger," detailing location work, stunt efforts, and cast camaraderie.

• Interview (18:39, HD) with Jennifer Babtist is a very sedate chat with the actress. Recalling her time on-set, Babtist describes the locations, her discomfort with nude scenes, and her eventual relationship with co-star Prichard. Her role in "Class of Nuke 'Em High" is also discussed, and the actress is joined by her daughter in the last third of the interview.

• Interview (2:37, SD) with actor Robert Prichard offers a brief recollection of the audition process and comfort with his "Toxic Avenger" legacy.

• Interview (8:41, SD) with actor Mitch Cohen, who played the mutant superhero, recalls his experience working under layers of heavy make-up, his unavailability to comeback for the film's sequels, and ends with a tour of his office day job.

• Interview (4:38, SD) with actor Dan "Cigar Face" Snow shares a few tales of his time on "Toxic Avenger," including the origin of his character's name and the challenges of the location, working around garbage in a dank alley.

• Interview (15:23, SD) with Michael Herz (with questions supplied by Lloyd Kaufman) is more of a career overview, with the director and co-founder of Troma describing how financial panic initially drove his interest in a filmmaking career. Anecdotes concerning "The Toxic Avenger" are included, but Herz hits a variety of topics, including Madonna's interest in a Troma role, the incredible employee turnover at the studio, and his tips for upcoming moviemakers. The featurette is overtly jokey (with a twist ending), but interesting.

• "Mark Torgl's Special Video" (6:18, HD) presents the original Melvin in his backyard, sharing original props from the movie while engaging in painfully unfunny banter with a pair of models.

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

• And a Theatrical Trailer (3:11, SD) is included.

The Toxic Avenger Part II

UHD

• Intro (1:56, HD) follows Troma Entertainment honcho Lloyd Kaufman into the studio commissary, where he recalls his time in Japan for "Toxic Avenger Part II," and provides some tips for sushi preparation.

• Commentary features co-writer/director Lloyd Kaufman.

Blu-ray

• Intro (3:06, SD) catches up with Troma Entertainment president Lloyd Kaufman in Copenhagen. Welcoming viewers to the Blu-ray release of "The Toxic Avenger Part II," Kaufman attempts a few jokes, shares a little information, and pays a visit to Castle Elsinore, where Toxie has recently abused one of the toilets.

• Commentary features co-writer/director Lloyd Kaufman.

• "At Home with Toxie" (3:51, SD) is a jokey featurette that visits the star of "The Toxic Avenger" in his palatial estate, residing in comfort with his second wife.

• "A Word from Troma's Villainess Lisa Gaye" (2:15, SD) is a brief conversation with the company's go-to baddie, who discusses her career and love of screen evildoing. How old is this featurette? Gaye makes a request to be a part of "The Toxic Avenger Part IV," which came out in 2000.

• "Toxie on Japanese T.V." (3:07, SD) is presented without subtitles, making the true origin of this news piece unknown, but it does provide a look at BTS footage, with Kaufman wearing a jet-black beard, clad in a "Toxic Avenger" shirt, leading the production through shots. And co-star Mayako Katsuragi appears in an interview.

• "Old DVD Intro" (:41, SD) showcases a much younger Kaufman, who welcomes viewers to the "digitally remastered" presentation of the sequel.

• "Radiation March" (:56, SD) is a brief dance piece concerning the dangers of pollution.

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

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:19, SD) is included.

The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie

UHD

• Intro (1:33, HD) joins Troma Entertainment honcho Lloyd Kaufman in the Troma wardrobe department, where he shares Toxic Avenger fan art and details his desire to "stay in the underground," refusing the lure of corporate filmmaking.

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

• Commentary #2 features actor Joe Flieshaker.

Blu-ray

• Intro (3:33, SD) catches up with Troma President Lloyd Kaufman in Denmark, where he welcomes viewers to the "Last Temptation of Toxie" Blu-ray and finds a pair of locals who love to mock him.

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

• Commentary #2 features actor Joe Flieshaker.

• "Make Your Own Damn Horror Film" (11:26, SD) follows Kaufman to the set of "Old 37," a horror picture starring Kane Hodder and Bill Moseley. Arriving to film a cameo, Kaufman kills time interviewing the cast and crew, trying to impart low-budget moviemaking tips while quizzing the professionals on their jobs. Interestingly, the director, Christian Winters, who doesn't seem to understand what he's doing, eventually took his name off the final product.

• "A Halloween Carol" (9:54, HD) stars Kaufman in a reworking of "A Christmas Carol," only here spirits from beyond visit the face of Troma to show him what a world without the company's releases on YouTube would be like.

• "'Rabid Grannies' on Blu-ray" (1:56, HD) is faux infomercial for what was one of the worst BD releases of 2015. Don't believe Kaufman's promise of a "crystal clear" HD upgrade.

• "Radiation March" (:56, SD) is a short dance piece concerning the dangers of pollution.

• "TroMoMa" (11:40, HD) follows Lloyd Kaufman into the Museum of Modern Art, celebrating the selection of "Return to Nuke 'Em High: Volume 1" as part of "The Contenders" film series. Nerves are shared along with a Q&A, and the evening is capped with a Bollywood- style dance on stage.

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

• And a Theatrical Trailer (3:00, SD) is included.

Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV

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.

The Toxic Avenger Collection 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Troma doesn't return with fresh extras for the "Toxic Avenger" box set, but rescanned image and sound that corrects many of the issues from the previous releases should be enough to satisfy fans of the saga.