The Toxic Avenger Part II Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "The Toxic Avenger: Part II" takes an intriguing yet ultimately flawed approach to high-definition. While intended to offer a 1080p HD experience in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, the result falls short, frequently appearing more akin to DVD quality. Troma's efforts seem miscalculated, leading to a transfer that, despite slight upgrades, still exhibits significant damage such as vertical scratches, speckling, and debris alongside mild judder. The colors, however, are notably more vibrant and balanced, successfully lifting the film's signature gooey scenes to a more appealing visual standard.

Nevertheless, critical issues remain prevalent throughout the presentation. Banding, aliasing, and video noise disrupt the viewing experience, while details expected in an HD transfer are conspicuously absent. Skin tones maintain a natural appearance, but black levels struggle to achieve the desired depth. This discord in visual clarity makes it evident that a crucial step in the upgrade process was overlooked. Though it surpasses the old VHS tapes and displays marginal improvements over previous DVD editions, it still falls short of delivering a polished HD spectacle.

The audio presentation of "The Toxic Avenger Part II" on Blu-ray delivers an underwhelming experience characterized by its 2.0 Dolby Digital mix. The sound is generally muddy and suffers from a lack of sharpness, requiring a noticeable volume boost to reach acceptable listening levels. Persistent hiss and pops infest the feature, while the dialogue, though understandable, is thin and fails to maintain integrity during heightened action scenes and intense screaming. The soundtrack, including metal cuts and scoring, struggles for clarity and falls flat, lacking the robust impact one might expect. Atmospherics are perfunctory at best, with sound effects, primarily limited to squishes and splats, rendered only adequately.

A glaring oversight is the absence of a modern lossless 5.1 DTS track, which could have significantly enhanced the audio quality. Instead, the mix remains flat, muted, and unfavorable for quality listening. Sound effects lack punch and presence, detracting from the overall immersion. Dialogue clarity, although present, is marred by rough edges, with the audio struggling to be comprehensible amidst a plethora of hiss, pops, shrills, and cracks. While the music retains its humorous appeal, it remains muddied and fails to deliver a full-bodied sound. Additionally, the Japanese dialogue alternates between awkward English dubbing or being left untouched without subtitles, which appears more as an oversight than an intentional artistic choice. In sum, this release does not leverage any significant audio improvements and falls short in delivering a satisfying auditory experience.

The Toxic Avenger Part II Blu-ray extras exhibit a delightful combination of humor, behind-the-scenes insights, and nostalgic features. Lloyd Kaufman’s introduction is packed with his signature eccentric humor, setting the tone for a fun and informative dive into the making of this cult classic. The audio commentary with Kaufman offers a treasure trove of anecdotes from the production. Additionally, the variety of short features such as "At Home with Toxie" and "A Word from Troma's Villainess Lisa Gaye" provide both comedic relief and fascinating career insights. Noteworthy, though lacking subtitles, "Toxie on Japanese T.V." offers unique behind-the-scenes footage. Other inclusions like the vintage DVD intro and "Radiation March" add historical context and quirky artistic flair.

Extras included in this disc:

• Intro: Lloyd Kaufman sets the stage for the Blu-ray release with jokes and insights.
• Commentary: Entertaining audio commentary by Lloyd Kaufman with production anecdotes.
• At Home with Toxie: Visit with the star in his luxurious estate.
• A Word from Troma's Villainess Lisa Gaye: Lisa Gaye discusses her career in villainous roles.
• Toxie on Japanese T.V.: Behind-the-scenes footage and interviews in Japanese.
• Old DVD Intro: Vintage introduction by Lloyd Kaufman.
• Radiation March: Dance piece on pollution dangers.
• The American Cinematheque Honors 40 Years of Troma: Montage celebrating Troma’s achievements with Motorhead's music.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer for the film.

In "The Toxic Avenger Part II," directors Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz revisit their cult superhero creation, introducing more absurdity and violence. The film struggles to maintain focus, blending psychological exploration with traditional Troma bloodletting, often failing to achieve a coherent narrative. The Toxic Avenger (portrayed by Ron Fazio and John Altamura) battles both external villains and internal demons, depicting an earnest yet disjointed tale that oscillates between ultraviolent slapstick and attempts at heartfelt drama.

The plot follows Toxie as he confronts new threats from the pollution corporation Apocalypse, Inc., led by Chairman Rick Collins, who dispatches assassins to kill him. This triggers Toxie's quest to Japan, seeking his father’s identity. Action sequences are initially engaging, notably starting with 20 minutes of intense carnage at the Center for the Blind. This initial burst of energy, featuring graphic ultraviolence and over-the-top humor, sets a manic tone but overshadows the remaining film. Extended scenes, like Toxie's exaggerated journey to Japan (via windsurfing), add to the film’s inconsistent pacing and uneven tone.

While there are some standout moments, such as Toxie using his superbreath in a bathhouse brawl and the introduction of Tromatons, the film often prioritizes shock value over story coherence. The imbalance between action, comedy, and character development prevents the narrative from finding its rhythm. In sum, "The Toxic Avenger Part II" delivers sporadic entertainment through its schlocky charm and gore but ultimately fails to offer a cohesive and engaging storyline, characteristic of Troma's distinctive yet chaotic style.

In "The Toxic Avenger Part II," Toxie returns with a broadened scope of adversities, from a peculiar Sumo education to encountering the enigmatic Dark Rider. The film ambitiously aims to synchronize numerous subplots but often meanders through its misadventures rather than tackling them sequentially. This characteristic scattershot approach is underscored by Troma's signature outrageous and often tasteless humor, which can both amuse and alienate viewers. The sequel struggles to replicate the novelty and charm of its predecessor but does deliver moments that are intermittently amusing.

The opening sequence of "The Toxic Avenger Part II" showcases what Troma fans have come to expect: high-energy absurdity filled with irreverent humor and over-the-top action. Unfortunately, the film's dynamism diminishes quickly, with much of the remaining runtime feeling sluggish and uneven. Despite these pacing issues, there’s a nostalgic appeal for those who appreciate the cult classic chaos that Toxie embodies. On a technical note, both video and audio quality leave much to be desired; they lack the fidelity that modern audiences might expect. However, the extra features provided with the Blu-ray release offer some redeeming value, especially for long-standing fans of the series who relish behind-the-scenes insight.

Overall, "The Toxic Avenger Part II" ventures far and wide but frequently loses its narrative focus along the way. While it doesn't capture the essence of the original in its entirety, it retains enough of Troma's eccentric spirit to justify a viewing for franchise aficionados. Its entertainment value lies significantly in personal nostalgia rather than groundbreaking cinematic quality. If you hold a special place for Toxie in your heart, adding this Blu-ray to your collection may be worthwhile. Otherwise, this sequel might best be skipped in favor of more polished fare.