Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV

Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV is a 2000 American superhero comedy film that unapologetically and effectively mixes humour and horror. Directed by the enigmatic Lloyd Kaufman, the movie is the fourth entry to Troma Entertainment's most popular franchise, The Toxic Avenger.

Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV mainly revolves around David Mattey's character, the eponymous The Toxic Avenger or 'Toxie'. Toxie, previously a downtrodden janitor named Melvin Junko, had transformed into a mutant superhero due to a plunge into a vat of toxic waste in an earlier installment of the series. Using his anti-hero image and his newfound abilities, he chivalrously fights crime in the fictional town of Tromaville, New Jersey.

In this installment, during a school hostage situation, a freak mishap incites an inter-dimensional shift, resulting in Toxie getting traded for an evil version of himself from the alternative reality, known as The Noxious Offender, portrayed with an eldritch intensity by Clyde Lewis. The Noxious Offender unleashes a reign of terror and lawlessness on Tromaville while the true Toxic Avenger finds himself stranded in the alternate reality of Amortville, desperately plotting his return to restore order in his beloved town. As the plot unravels, a compelling blend of social commentary, humour, action, and sheer absurdity unfolds, making this movie a quintessential Troma experience.

The film also pays equal attention to the personal life of Toxie, focusing on his relationship with his wife Sarah, affectionately portrayed by Heidi Sjursen. Sarah is a good-hearted Tromaville citizen, who is visually-challenged, and deeply loves the deformed Toxie. The narrative helps deepen his characterization and provides a bit of emotional gravity amid the slapstick humor and horrifying violence.

The film becomes a funhouse mirror of Tromaville and its cheerful community with its parallel universe Amortville and its gloomy citizens. Such narrative details infuse Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV with a strange and enchanting absurdity, turning it into an almost surreal take on superhero and horror genres.

Like most Troma Entertainment's releases, this film is replete with gory violence, adult humor, vibrant and noisy visuals, and over-the-top characters, making it an overwhelming potpourri that staunchly remains outside the usual norms of filmmaking. While respecting the tradition of his previous works, the director Lloyd Kaufman seems to be pushing his limitations further, resulting in a passionate albeit unpredictable production.

In his role as Toxie, David Mattey proves to be an enjoyable and compelling choice. He charmingly embraces the exaggerated style of the film, turning a grotesque mutant into a hilarious and lovable hero. Clyde Lewis, as Toxie’s villainous mirror image, brilliantly balances between terrifying and amusing, creating a perfect villain for this wacky universe. Meanwhile, Heidi Sjursen shines brightly and brings depth in her portrayal of Sarah.

The other characters that inhabit this twisted cinematic universe all add to the overall madness of Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV. Whether they are the eccentric Troma regulars who spring up throughout, or the characters unique to this installment, they all contribute to the film's mission of overloading the viewer with a sensory rollercoaster.

The distinctive low-budget production style adds to the overall appeal of Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV. The colors are bright and bold, the characters are larger than life, and the set design is imaginatively excessive. Despite its financial limits, the film never seems to compromise on its zany creativity and often achieves a distinct aesthetic that no big-budget blockbuster could match.

In conclusion, Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV is not your average superhero film. It is a cultural artifact that lampoons conventions, leverages the shock value, and forces its audiences to adjust their perspectives. Especially for those who are acclimated to the peculiar world of Troma’s films, this fourth installment in the Toxic Avenger saga is likely to be an exhilarating romp, filled with all the bizarre and brilliant elements that Troma Entertainments is renowned for. On the other hand, those less familiar with this unique brand of cinema may find it bewildering, but there are plenty of laughs, thrills, and surprises in store, making it worth a watch for anyone who appreciates the unconventional and the offbeat.