The Toxic Avenger
I described the original Toxic Avenger as a grungy gore fest with campy excess as its saving grace. By comparison, this 2023 update is undeniably more polished, with a budget and cast list that give it a sheen the scrappy Troma version never had. The trouble is, “better” doesn’t mean more enjoyable.
The A-list names lend it credibility on paper, but the fun is lost somewhere in the gloss. Where the first film embraced its own trashiness with a wink, this one tries to play it straighter, sanding down the very rough edges that made the original perversely entertaining. It may be less embarrassing, but it’s also far less alive.
There are moments that nod toward satire, but they feel self-conscious rather than anarchic. The Toxic Avenger Uncut may look slicker, but it scrubs away the grime that made the original so weirdly enjoyable—less toxic, more tepid, and a mop without much mess to clean.
The A-list names lend it credibility on paper, but the fun is lost somewhere in the gloss. Where the first film embraced its own trashiness with a wink, this one tries to play it straighter, sanding down the very rough edges that made the original perversely entertaining. It may be less embarrassing, but it’s also far less alive.
There are moments that nod toward satire, but they feel self-conscious rather than anarchic. The Toxic Avenger Uncut may look slicker, but it scrubs away the grime that made the original so weirdly enjoyable—less toxic, more tepid, and a mop without much mess to clean.
Mini Review: I called the original Toxic Avenger a grungy gore fest saved by campy excess. The 2023 update is slicker, with budget and stars, but polish drains the fun. The first thrived on trashy chaos; this one plays it straight, sanding off the grime that made it perversely alive. Nods to satire feel self-conscious, not anarchic. Less toxic, more tepid—a mop with no mess.