Sequels. Yeah, they're ok, sometimes. There were a lot of them before the reboot revolution. And just like reboots, the sequel craze was a bit much. Very few were necessary, some were pretty good. However, most sequels are just obvious cash grabs, every bit as much as these stupid reboots we're now stuck with. The 80's was the point when so many directors got the idea that an overabundance of part 2's was okay and not at all cheapening otherwise legendary stories. Well, they did. Even if they're quality continuations that provide us entertainment, they usually don't do the original any favors, do they? Today, I'm going to say a few words about two unwanted sequels from the late 80's that's always annoyed me more than most. And I know I'm not alone. This is the Toxic Avenger Parts 2 and 3.
This was just a completely watered-down attempt at continuing the saga of The Toxic Avenger. The original wasn't perfect ... Or maybe it was, come to think of it. It was silly, but not too silly. It had a grittiness that wasn't even attempted to install in 2 and 3. Grittiness was replaced by a cartoonish tone that I can only assume was due to Troma's desire for mainstream success, and I guess it paid off considering the Toxic Crusaders Saturday morning cartoon that debuted a couple years later. That's great, but what about the fans of the original who miss the more gruesome, offensive style? Well, fuck them! They'll just eat up whatever they're given, right? what is this, Hollywood?
So, yeah. This was originally meant to be one movie. Toxic Avenger Part 2 became part 2 and 3 once Lloyd Kaufman realized that he had accidentally shot enough footage for two different movies. And after watching them both, I find that little fact kind of confusing. I mean, that's a lot of shit for one movie, regardless of how long it's meant to be. Ultimately, both movies clock in around 100 minutes, which often seems about twice that. But enough about disappointing changes and unnecessary run times. Here's how it all plays out...
In the mid-80's, if someone told you Troma was going to be coming out with another Toxic Avegner movie, how would you imagine the story? Exactly! Toxie goes to Japan! What else? This sequel is really about Toxie "Melvin" Fer-I mean Junko's quest to find his long, lost father. Not such a bad idea for a premise, as it could lead to all sorts of misadventures, but tell me. Why Japan? So we can all get a good laugh at how different Japanese people are, and how funny they talk? It seems like it, at times. A dumb and unnecessary route to take, in my opinion.
Toxie is tricked by Apocalypse Inc. into thinking this is where he can find daddy Junko. But while Toxie is doing stupid shit over there, while coming up short in his quest, the evil corporation takes over his beloved hometown with ease. Once Toxie heads home from his pointless trip, and sees what has happened, well, it almost seems like the story can finally begin, now, as Toxie takes care of business, but in a more silly, less exploitationy fashion, than what we remember. It's not too terribly tame, but comparing this to the original, let's just say, it's obvious which movie was closer to the 70's, and which was closer to the 90's. Take that however you want. 4/10
Somehow, Lloyd ended up with an entire story of scenes about Toxie selling out to Apocalypse Inc. and made a whole other movie with it. Some time later, Toxie has banished all evil from Tromaville, which is good, but that purpose he acquired in the first movie is now gone. Toxie feels bored and restless, but mostly, he just feels just plain useless. He was a hero, but for one to maintain such status, one much prove himself on a regular basis. And with no bad guys around to kill, well, Melvin is really nothing more than a nice guy, now.
With the combination of having no purpose and not being able to afford eye surgery for Sa-I mean Claire, Melvin does the unthinkable and signs on to work for Apocalypse Inc. Melvin immediately transforms into a fast talking, go-getter yuppie in short shorts, quickly forgetting the important things in life and remaining oblivious to the fact that the company is now taing over Tromaville. The once blind Claire opens Melvins eyes as to what's really going on, and he soon prepares for the fight of his life. But what Melvin doesn't realize is that he's been working for The Devil, himself. As Melvin learns, The Devil doesn't let his minions out of their contracts without a fight. 4/10I don't know. It's not like these movies are even in the bottom 300 of the Troma catalogue. They're not terrible, but just not what they should or could have been. They're more or less castrated versions of the original. And aside from that, the other elephant in the room would be the abysmal continuity (or lack of caring). Really. It seems as though Kaufman hadn't seen the original in a couple of years, and just decided that he remembered it well enough to not require a refresher. If that's how it was, then, Uncle Lloyd was wrong.
Melvin Ferd became Melvin Junko, Sarah the cute ditz became Claire the seductive retard, Melvin's mom now looks like the old woman from Island Of Death who got pissed on. Ad to me, the worst part is that they got a noticeably different Toxie, this time. Two of them, I believe. The first either quit or got fired at some point. The thing is, the actor(s) playing Toxie are at least four or five inches shorter than the original. I don't want to nitpick, but really? You really couldn't find someone at least six feet tall to take over the role of someone who was probably 6'3? and don't even get me started on the 15 year old they hired to do the voice. It's not so bad if you're not a huge fan of the original. However, if you are, then, these movies will probably just make you want to go watch it!
