The Toxic Avenger Part II Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

The Toxic Avenger Part II Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 17, 2023

After clearing away the leagues of bullies and baddies out to get him in 1984’s “The Toxic Avenger,” New Jersey’s only superhero returns to duty in 1989’s “The Toxic Avenger Part II,” which promotes the mutant to full-fledged do-gooder. It’s rowdy work from co-directors Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz, who trust that an overall amplification of violence coupled with a change in location might revive the picture and its quest to transform the mangled hero into a household name. The manic vibe only works in small doses, with “The Toxic Avenger Part II” disappointingly unfocused, trying to pull together an overall arc of psychological inspection and traditional Troma bloodletting, but never finding a sweet spot of inspiration. It’s entertaining at times, but rarely coherent, presenting itself as a grab-bag of ideas and broad reactions, watching Kaufman and Herz spend all their time staging slapstick, leaving the script only a vague outline of character development.

After Tromaville has been purged of evil, the town has rejected crime and politics, becoming a utopia where citizens are free to dance in the streets. Living peacefully with girlfriend Claire (Phoebe Legere), The Toxic Avenger (Ron Fazio and John Altamura) attempts to keep a low profile while working at the Center for the Blind, with this sightless zone helping him to deal with his depression. Realizing that he cannot devour the Earth’s natural resources with a superhero in the way, the Chairman (Rick Collins) of pollution corporation Apocalypse, Inc. orders a hit on Toxie, sending his best assassins to kill the mop-wielding creature. Realizing that he won’t be happy unless he discovers the source of his pain, Toxie travels to Japan to locate his real father, finding help from Masumi (Mayako Katsuragi), a local woman.

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

The Toxic Avenger Part II Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.
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"The Toxic Avenger Part II" was originally released on Blu-ray in 2015…kind of. A mistake occurred with the disc, giving fans DVD resolution for the HD viewing experience. Such a mishap isn't repeated on the UHD, which offers an expected 4K tour of the movie. Detail is strong, especially noticeable when exiting opticals, providing a textured look at skin particulars and makeup achievements. Costuming is fibrous, with a look at tattered superhero clothing. Exteriors are deep, and interiors preserve decorative additions. Colors are cranked but enjoyable, with a richly toxic green for pollution additions. Clothing delivers sharp primaries, and the pinkiness of Claire's outfits runs hot. Skin tones are natural. Blacks are generally deep. Grain is capably resolved. Source has points of damage, and scratches are periodic.

The Toxic Avenger Part II Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA deals with the inherent chaos of "The Toxic Avenger Part II," which isn't built for clarity. Dialogue exchanges are intelligible, but there are sibilance issues. Scoring and soundtrack cuts aren't sharp, contributing basic support. More hectic moments do slip into slight distortion. Sound effects are blunt. Much like the previous Blu-ray, Japanese dialogue goes without subtitles for the most part, which must be an intentional choice at this point.

The Toxic Avenger Part II Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

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 II Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Receiving a cleansing sumo education, taking on a helmeted enemy known as the "Dark Rider," and returning to sweep up the streets of Tromaville once again, it seems like Toxie has one too many concerns for his second adventure. "The Toxic Avenger Part II" doesn't retain a tight attention span, often spotted wandering through its subplots and misadventures instead of taking them on one at a time. The lunacy of the effort is sufficiently distracting, stained by Troma's unmistakably tasteless sense of humor. It doesn't quite live up to the memorable introductions made in the original film, but "The Toxic Avenger Part II" has its moments.