Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV" showcases a remarkable visual upgrade that makes the most of its source material, drenched in the over-the-top elements the series is known for. The image clarity is superb, allowing for an immersive exploration of Tromaville in all its grotesque glory. Viewers can expect to notice an abundance of fine details, from the intricate textures of the monster makeup to the meticulous nuances in the gory set pieces. The film's visual aesthetic profits immensely from this enhanced resolution, offering an experience that feels both refreshingly vivid and faithfully grungy.

Color reproduction on this release is particularly noteworthy, emphasizing the brash and vibrant palette that defines Tromaville's twisted universe. Primaries pop with energy, with blues and greens making a substantial impact, while the more natural tones maintain their authenticity without becoming oversaturated. This is complemented by the attention given to flesh tones and the diverse costuming, which are displayed with an impressive level of clarity and depth. Additionally, the grain structure is handled competently, ensuring that the film retains its original cinematic texture without overwhelming the detail underneath.

Despite the overall excellence in video quality, it's worth mentioning that there are minor source-related issues, including a few damaged frames that pop up throughout the presentation. However, these do not detract significantly from the viewing experience and could even be seen as adding character to a film celebrated for its imperfections and gritty edge. The attention to detail in balancing sharpness, color, and texture ensures that "Citizen Toxie" looks its best without betraying its low-budget, cult classic roots.

The audio presentation of "Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV" on its 4K UHD Blu-Ray release features a compelling 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio track that showcases a notable improvement over its predecessor, particularly in the realm of dialogue clarity. This enhancement is particularly crucial given the film's rapid and chaotic verbal exchanges. The upgrade seems to polish the comprehension of the hyperactive dialogue, offering an auditory experience that keeps pace with the film's frenetic energy without sacrificing clarity.

Moreover, the soundtrack and sound effects in this edition have been handled with care, striking an admirable balance between the film's chaotic atmosphere and its musical components. Instrumentation within the soundtrack exhibits acceptable levels of clarity and separation, allowing for an enriched viewing (and listening) experience that complements the movie's overall tone. The sound effects, from the comic squelches to explosive mayhem, are rendered with a crispness that enhances the on-screen action without overwhelming the dialogue or music.

In essence, this audio track manages to capture the essence of "Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV" with an aural precision that elevates the viewing experience. This recent production's clear understanding and execution of sound mixing contribute significantly to its success. Fans of the franchise and newcomers alike will appreciate the audio's capability to immerse them into Toxie's world with improved clarity and balance, making it a notable mention among other 4K UHD releases in terms of auditory performance.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray extras of "Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV" enrich the viewing experience by diving deep into the film's production and Troma's cultural impact. The intros, both set in distinctive locations and featuring Lloyd Kaufman, offer a personal welcome into Troma's world, setting an enthusiastic tone. The three commentaries provide insights from different perspectives: the directorial vision of Kaufman, production insights from Haaga and Budinger, and technical editing aspects from Friedman and McGrath. However, the crown jewel is "Apocalypse Soon," a comprehensive documentary detailing the gritty, challenge-filled world of low-budget filmmaking at Troma, highlighted by Kaufman's unfiltered directorial style. The additional short features, "40 Years of Troma" and "Troma's Tribute to Lemmy," nicely round off the disc by celebrating the studio's legacy and its relationship with iconic Motorhead frontman Lemmy.

Extras included in this disc:

• Intro: Lloyd Kaufman busks with a clarinet on the steps of the Troma building, teasing the film and highlighting themes.
• Commentary #1: Features co-writer/director Lloyd Kaufman.
• Commentary #2: With producer Trent Haaga and actor Michael Budinger.
• Commentary #3: Insights from editors Gabe Friedman and Sean McGrath.
• Apocalypse Soon: A deep dive into the making of "Citizen Toxie," focusing on the chaotic production environment.
• 40 Years of Troma: A brief celebration of Troma Entertainment's history.
• Troma's Tribute to Lemmy: Honoring the support and moments shared with Motorhead's Lemmy.

Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV" catapults the audacity of Troma Entertainment to new heights or, perhaps more fittingly, descends to new depths. Under the direction and co-writing of Lloyd Kaufman, this 2000 installment dares to traverse the most offensive terrains in perhaps what emerges as the company's boldest attempt at shock cinema. Deliberately poking at sensitive subjects ranging from school shootings, the developmentally disabled, to even abortion, the film stretches the boundaries of taste to their limits. However, it becomes evident that Kaufman’s ambition to offend is only matched by his struggle with fundamental filmmaking proficiencies, such as maintaining basic camera focus. At a stretched duration of 109 minutes, the film's attempt at dark comedy and grotesque shenanigans quickly loses its novelty, suggesting that perhaps the charm of The Toxic Avenger could have been aptly contained within its preceding three installments.

The plot thickens within the walls of Tromaville School for the Very Special, where the Diaper Mafia's sinister plans are thwarted by Toxic Avenger and his sidekick, Lardass. An unfortunate accident propels Toxie into an alternate dimension, Amortville, setting off a chaotic quest back to normalcy as his evil counterpart, Noxie, wreaks havoc in Tromaville. Beyond the immediate comical undertones and exaggerated villainy lies a more pressing concern for Toxie - the well-being of his blind girlfriend Sarah and their unborn child. This narrative angle aims to add a layer of emotional depth, albeit within the confines of wildly fluctuating tones and morally ambiguous humor.

In essence, "Citizen Toxie" aims to push the envelope of not just the superhero genre but also of decency itself. With David Mattey's portrayal and Clyde Lewis's voicing of Toxie leading a peculiar cast through this multidimensional crisis, the film stretches Troma’s penchant for explicit content and slapstick tragedy to its limits. However, amidst the overwhelming attempt at offense and spectacle, one wonders if the true victim of this ambitious chaos might actually be coherent storytelling and technical filmmaking finesse.

Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV" emerges as a polarizing addition to the cult franchise, marked by its ambitious yet chaotic presentation on 4K UHD Blu-Ray. While aiming for continuity and novelty, the film seemingly veers into a cacophony of shock-value antics, largely sidelining the subdued charm that underscored its predecessors. Director Lloyd Kaufman's attempt to inject a fresh narrative into the veins of Tromaville results in a convoluted tapestry of themes and characters, deviating from the series' core ethos. The technical upgrade to 4K does little to salvage the fundamental disarray, presenting a high-definition view of a spectacle that struggles to maintain coherence or engage the viewer on a meaningful level.

The visual and auditory enhancements characteristic of the 4K UHD format are expected to amplify the viewing experience, yet in the case of "Citizen Toxie," they paradoxically highlight the film's narrative and stylistic shortcomings. The vividness of Tromaville's chaos is rendered in excruciating detail, making every splatter and grimace uncomfortably palpable. However, this clarity further underscores the disjointed execution and the heavy reliance on grotesque elements that detract from the film's potential depth and humor. The sound mixing, while robust, often becomes overbearing, mirroring the visual assault and contributing to an overall sense of sensory overload.

In conclusion, "Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV" 4K UHD presentation serves as a double-edged sword, showcasing the technical capabilities of the format while exposing the film's intrinsic failings. The leap to ultra-high definition amplifies not just the visual and auditory aspects but also the thematic dissonance and narrative fragmentation that beset Kaufman's creation. As such, this installment might disappoint fans seeking a coherent continuation of Toxie's legacy or a meaningful expansion of Tromaville's lore, ultimately feeling like an opportunity missed rather than a triumph in storytelling or cinematic innovation.