Reviews (43)

Sick and twisted baaaaby!!
If your looking at buying this movie then you really don't need to read this review. You know exactly who Troma are and exactly what they do. Troma delight in making the sickest, most twisted, perverted flicks that can be put on film.

Terror Firmer is Troma's swansong (though im sure another will rear its ugly mutant head sometime) and easily sits beside "classics" such as, Tromeo and Juliet, Surf Nazis must Die, Cannibal:The Musical and Toxic Avenger. Definately one of thier best. Its gross, its disgusting, its hilarious and I love it!!

This is an excellent 2 disc set that is an easy buy for any fan of gonzo/horror/sexploitation/weirdo movies. ...

TERROR FIRMER: The One Troma Fans Have Been Waiting For!
TERROR FIRMER is one of Troma's newest films to be released and now it's making it's debut on DVD. I can't wait to get it. I haven't seen the movie but I know the straight plot of it: A low-budget independant film crew find themselves being stalked by a maniac killer. There's plenty of nudity, sex, Troma-tic violence, and bad cheesy acting in general...only from Troma, of course! Well, since I'm a big fan of most Troma movies, I'm giving this one 5 stars before I even watch it. Any Troma fan with a DVD player should just pick this one up!

Wheres my damn poster?!?!
Decent flick, but where the hell is the mini poster advertised on the front of the movie?

ioncetookatexantoawedding
this movie is bad even for troma. its not gross or shocking or funny. it's very long, i think about 9 hours. i wasn't offended or entertained, just bored and i got diarhea. troma fans are overwight. i bought this movie and i can't get rid of it. i can't sell it to stoners, give it away to homeless people, or trade it for a banana at lunch. it didn't even come with the free poster promised on the case. also it breaks your dvd players

Terror Firmer
A film writhing in dark humour, gore and a wonderful storyline, Terror Firmer is a must for anyone who loves Troma and anyone who doesn't. The film is one of the best black movies I have ever seen, and I recommend it to you, because it is fantastic and a classic. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Troma rules!!!
The original Toxic Avenger is the most famous Troma movie ever made and finally there is a worthy sequel. When I first heard of Citizen Toxie and how great it was, I had high hopes as Tromeo & Juliet and Terror Firmer were so cool. I wasn't disappointed, Citizen Toxie is hilarious from start to finish with everything that makes Troma great.

There's tonnes of nekkid girls (a few guys as well), action, cheesy Troma gore and some of the most twisted humour ever! I mean who else but Troma has the guts to make jokes about, hate crimes, penil implants, abortions and the metally challenged? I think that plenty of people would feel it's their duty to critisize such un PC humour, but really the true racism satired in this film are shown as events happening in the 'evil' dimention thus rightfully protrayed as dispicable yet how many Hollywood film makers even acknowledge that these exact evils happen in the real world? Most people would agree that making fun of the handicapped is not cool, but hey the mentally challenged characters Tito and Sweetie develop true personalities in Citizen Toxie and really aren't the tear jerking Hollywood flicks like 'I am Sam' that use handicapped people to make their films sappy and sentimantal exploiting them just as much as films that laugh at them?

Citizen Toxie has the kind of no holds barred creativity only a low budget independant film can capture. If you love Troma you will already have this 2 disc set, if you don't like Troma steer clear of this film as it embodies everything Troma represents.

As usual there are a tonne of extras on the disc. Troma certainly know how to make great DVD sets, how many big studio DVD's do you get which think that 'interactive menus' and 'chapter selection' are special features? Apocalypse Soon the making of documentry is awesome. Any big budget film 'making of' consists of a glossy set of interviews in which one dimentional actors like Julia Roberts go into the dynamics of their character acting and feature a director explaining his artistic vision for the remake of a foriegn film, but Apocalypse Soon features totally raw on set footage of the film crew. All the problems like lacklusture stunts, late actors, script revisions ect are all shown in on the spot unedited footage. LLoyd isn't painted as a character who is beloved by all crew and actors but shown reacting honestly to the day to day struggles on set.

This double DVD is amazing, very cool film, great extras, some interesting easter eggs and is worth every penny.

Citizen Toxie
This is the Best Movie of this type that I have ever seen...

Ignore the loser at the bottom of the list... It's the BEST
In my opinion, this is THE best Troma film. Incorperating super heroes from around Tromaville, this film is amazing. It is full of all the stuff that Troma enjoys, and it has some of the best heroes of them all, Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D., Dolphin Man and Mad Cow Boy, and not to mention the strongest and best looking hero of them all... The Toxic Avenger!!! It is action packed with Tromatic flair, and is truly a masterpiece. Keep them coming Troma!!!

MY BEST MOVIES EVER!!
Greetings from tromaville!! this is lloyd kaufman wanting to tell you this is with out a doubt i have ever directed!!!!

I wish I could give it more stars
A long time fan of Troma, I was very excited about the next installment in the Toxic Avenger series. Let me just tell you that I have seen a lot of weird, messed up, and down right insane movies, but this one has got to take the cake. They spared absolutely no expense in trying to offened every person, politcal group, organization, and anything and everything basically under the sun. It made me proud. I was even shocked at the extent they went, and that is REALLY hard to do. Just when I thought they had covered all aspects of humanity they would add another tid-bit of juicy offensiveness. I was very impressed with the effort that they had obviously put into this film, in excluding nothing from it's insulting and vulgar attacks. It's hilarious, full of cheese, and has plenty of violence. The plot is simple: Toxi gets mixed up with his evil twin Noxi and they end up in each other's different planes of existence-let the fun begin! Fans of troma and Toxi will cherish this movie, after I rented it I had to own it. It also has plenty of extras on the DVD, including a troma triva game. This movie is bound to shock even the most desensitized viewer, as it did me, and delight all you morbid peoples' funny bones! Definately a classic, and definately worth it's weight in gold. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Troma rules!!!
The original Toxic Avenger is the most famous Troma movie ever made and finally there is a worthy sequel. When I first heard of Citizen Toxie and how great it was, I had high hopes as Tromeo & Juliet and Terror Firmer were so cool. I wasn't disappointed, Citizen Toxie is hilarious from start to finish with everything that makes Troma great.

There's tonnes of nekkid girls (a few guys as well), action, cheesy Troma gore and some of the most twisted humour ever! I mean who else but Troma has the guts to make jokes about, hate crimes, penil implants, abortions and the metally challenged? I think that plenty of people would feel it's their duty to critisize such un PC humour, but really the true racism satired in this film are shown as events happening in the 'evil' dimention thus rightfully protrayed as dispicable yet how many Hollywood film makers even acknowledge that these exact evils happen in the real world? Most people would agree that making fun of the handicapped is not cool, but hey the mentally challenged characters Tito and Sweetie develop true personalities in Citizen Toxie and really aren't the tear jerking Hollywood flicks like 'I am Sam' that use handicapped people to make their films sappy and sentimantal exploiting them just as much as films that laugh at them?

Citizen Toxie has the kind of no holds barred creativity only a low budget independant film can capture. If you love Troma you will already have this 2 disc set, if you don't like Troma steer clear of this film as it embodies everything Troma represents.

As usual there are a tonne of extras on the disc. Troma certainly know how to make great DVD sets, how many big studio DVD's do you get which think that 'interactive menus' and 'chapter selection' are special features? Apocalypse Soon the making of documentry is awesome. Any big budget film 'making of' consists of a glossy set of interviews in which one dimentional actors like Julia Roberts go into the dynamics of their character acting and feature a director explaining his artistic vision for the remake of a foriegn film, but Apocalypse Soon features totally raw on set footage of the film crew. All the problems like lacklusture stunts, late actors, script revisions ect are all shown in on the spot unedited footage. LLoyd isn't painted as a character who is beloved by all crew and actors but shown reacting honestly to the day to day struggles on set.

This double DVD is amazing, very cool film, great extras, some interesting easter eggs and is worth every penny.

Citizen Toxie
This is the Best Movie of this type that I have ever seen...

Ignore the loser at the bottom of the list... It's the BEST
In my opinion, this is THE best Troma film. Incorperating super heroes from around Tromaville, this film is amazing. It is full of all the stuff that Troma enjoys, and it has some of the best heroes of them all, Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D., Dolphin Man and Mad Cow Boy, and not to mention the strongest and best looking hero of them all... The Toxic Avenger!!! It is action packed with Tromatic flair, and is truly a masterpiece. Keep them coming Troma!!!

MY BEST MOVIES EVER!!
Greetings from tromaville!! this is lloyd kaufman wanting to tell you this is with out a doubt i have ever directed!!!!

I wish I could give it more stars
A long time fan of Troma, I was very excited about the next installment in the Toxic Avenger series. Let me just tell you that I have seen a lot of weird, messed up, and down right insane movies, but this one has got to take the cake. They spared absolutely no expense in trying to offened every person, politcal group, organization, and anything and everything basically under the sun. It made me proud. I was even shocked at the extent they went, and that is REALLY hard to do. Just when I thought they had covered all aspects of humanity they would add another tid-bit of juicy offensiveness. I was very impressed with the effort that they had obviously put into this film, in excluding nothing from it's insulting and vulgar attacks. It's hilarious, full of cheese, and has plenty of violence. The plot is simple: Toxi gets mixed up with his evil twin Noxi and they end up in each other's different planes of existence-let the fun begin! Fans of troma and Toxi will cherish this movie, after I rented it I had to own it. It also has plenty of extras on the DVD, including a troma triva game. This movie is bound to shock even the most desensitized viewer, as it did me, and delight all you morbid peoples' funny bones! Definately a classic, and definately worth it's weight in gold. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Pre-Troma but still Full Grown-a
First let me apoligize, I usually have a clever saying at the top but this time I just can't think of anything. Anyway, onto the review.

The single greatest director who ever lived, Lloyd Kaufman, made this back in 1971. It's a whimsical (but not the whimsical that means "boring", but whimsical meaning it's full of heart) look at a poor young man named Abercrombie who goes through alot of problems in life.

Although not as Tromaliscious as Lloyd's newer works ("Terror Firmer", "Tromeo and Juliet") it's still a darn good movie. Some parts are a little slow, but you must understand it was made for only $8,000 and in limited location. The movie does feature a cameo by Lloyd's childhood friend (seriously) Oliver Stone, and even some slightly-foul music that makes you wonder how it got a "G" rating. Of course, the MPAA are cruel bastards, but I wont get into that now.

In short, "The Battle Of Love's Return" is a funny not-so-dark comedy that the whole family can watch. If you're not interested in that, it's still worth getting for the humorous opening with "Oliver Stone" and the very first "Tromaville Cafe" short.

http://www.maxpages.com/inyourhouse ... Read more

Reviews (4)

THE SINGLE GREATEST MOVIE EVER !!!
Llyod Kaufman hit the nail on the head with this one. Sure through the years others have tried to make other baseball comedies like that one with Madonna or that Keven Costner (did you know Troma got Costner started in Sizzle Beach)one or that one that just came out this year. But they all are dirt on this movies coattails. I mean none of those inferior imitations have a baseball getting stuck in the crack of someones butt, how can they even compare!

Boob-a-riffic!
There are certain works which transcend aesthetic criticism and become cultural signifiers, archetypal embodyments of the moment that produced them. As American cultural hegemony reached its apotheosis and began to break like a great salty wave, depositing encrustations across the littoral zone of history, a sulbime new art form frothed forth - the 70's boob movie.

Any serious student of this genre would have to brand this movie as one of its most distinguished emanations. The plot - is not important. What is important is that the director of this movie, in a moment of auteurial inspiration, was inspired to include a scene in which a man exclaims "I love you!" to the (authentically) buxom object of his affections and immediately places his head between her breasts and makes a very loud farty sound by pressing them together and blowing.

dumb
Another Troma trauma from the worls cheapest movie studio, a proundly dumb comedy that transfers the battle of the sexes to a softball field. Strictly for the couchbound whose remote controls are broken

one of troma's best
this film is very funny and a must for troma fans. of course,i'ts no toxic avenger or nuke em high. ... Read more

Reviews (45)

They found a peanut, all right...a peanut of DEATH!
I've always had this fantasy that some thoroughly disreputable quick-buck movie would end up being brilliant. Like, what if some soft-core "Erotic Thriller" ended up having gutsy, breakthrough performances and a riveting plot? What if "Police Academy 12" was Oscar-worthy?

My fantasies came through with "Tromeo & Juliet." The very concept of a punk "Romeo" is brilliant - they conceived this before Baz Luhrmann's movie - but seeing as how this is Troma we're talking about, Lloyd Kaufman could have steered this in a very wrong (read: conventional) direction. Fortunately, they managed to find a young mad genius named James Gunn to write the script, and they found some hungry young acting talent who threw themselves into the project. And Kaufman, perhaps inspired by all this, finally directed like a man more concerned with making a good movie than cashing in on the quick-buck exploitation trends that nearly ruined "Troma's War" and "Sgt. Kabukiman."

Not that "Tromeo & Juliet" isn't a quick-buck exploitation movie. It is. It's also a hilarious and inventive comedy, an art film, a soft-core porno, a gross-out gore flick, a surprisingly moving love story, and - best of all - one of the most oddly faithful Shakespeare adaptations I've ever seen. Amazingly, it's all these things all at the same time, sometimes even in the same scene (check out Murray Que's final scene, in the tattoo parlor). "Tromeo" captures the spirit, the wordplay, and the abandon that so many staid Shakespeare movies completely miss. And it's one of the most energetic and creative movies you're likely to see.

I could gush on and on about "Tromeo," for it is my favorite movie. Now that James Gunn is a big-time - although still delightfully weird - Hollywood writer, I wouldn't be surprised to see a surge in "Tromeo" sales. This is a good thing. "Tromeo" is a completely unique and exhilirating movie, and it deserves a huge audience. It's not for everyone, I suppose (the close-up shot of the nipple being pierced will pretty much clear the room of those who should have stayed away in the first place). But if you like a little trash in your art, or art in your trash, give "Tromeo" a chance.

Oh - and the budget for "Tromeo" was $350,000, or about what it costs to cater lunch for a week on your basic Adam Sandler movie.

Above-Average TROMA effort!
I realize Troma Studios has an extremely loyal, if not large, following and I am about to honk off what few loyalists will read this, but I just don't get it. I know Troma is trying to cater to those who prefer their movie entertainment to whack them in the face with a brick, but I get the feeling watching a Troma-produced movie made in the last few years that they are becoming a parody of themselves.

This is not meant to be a slap at "Tromeo and Juliet," but I can't help but vent about Troma. I don't, and never did, think that doing a "take" (turning your face toward the camera with your mouth and eyes wide open - some people refer to it as "mugging") was funny, and Lloyd Kaufman is the king of this. My feeling is that when I see a "take" in a movie, I am reminded that I'm watching a movie and am not simply a bystander in some characters' lives. I say this fully knowing that Troma-produced movies are not meant to be great art and are made to appeal to a certain viewer - I think he lives somewhere in New Jersey - and God forbid I tell someone what they should do with their money, but they could at least TRY.

The ultimate example of Troma's "love of self" - besides their commercials for their merchandise that show up before AND after each of their movies on the tapes - is the movie "Tromeo and Juliet." Tromeo?!?!?! I thought the world was coming to an end when I saw "The Toxic Avenger" made into a Saturday morning cartoon and then referred to as "Toxie" every time he makes an appearance, but "Tromeo?!?!?!". I always liked "The Toxic Avenger" but with each successive sequel, it got hokier and hokier (is hokier a word?). I respected Troma about 15 or 20 years ago when they were making movies such as "Combat Shock," "Class of Nuke 'em High" and the original "Toxic Avenger" but now it seems they are doing nothing but exploiting their viewers...whose numbers appear to be dwindling. Not that there's anything wrong with capitalizing on an alleged strong point and making money, but "Ars Gratia Artis" (art for art's sake) seems to mean nothing to Troma.

Phew...all that without taking a breath. On to the movie review.

"Tromeo and Juliet"...damn, I can't get past that title...is not a terrible movie. That is, if you like tattoos, body piercing, off-the-wall violence and the 'F' word. I could go on and on about over-the-top acting, stifled camera work (what I could do with HALF that budget!), rubber-mask effects, blah, blah, blah. Other than that, it's pretty good.

The main characters, Will Keenan, who pays Tromeo...Tromeo?!?!?...and Jane Jensen, Juliet, are actually pretty good. Their attraction for each other is actually believable because neither one of them are matinee idols...above average looks, below average IQs, rebellious, etc. Their characterizations, though, by no fault of the actors (we blame the writers for this), are very uneven. One example of this is that Juliet is portrayed as virginal and naive, yet at one point she pleasures herself after calling a 900 number and in more than one scene makes out with the maid, played by Debbie Rochon.

Aaahhh, Debbie Rochon. Rochon has a certain something that I haven't been able to put my finger on. She is very good when it comes to her needing to be sexy, although if the scenes in this movie are any indication, she has shattered a bunch of my illusions (I could never understand why guys get turned on by lesbian scenes). I don't think she is as good when she need to be evil, but she is convincing in straight roles (such as the mom in "Santa Claws") and alluring roles (again, when her character is shooting the strip scenes in "Santa Claws") or when she's scared (as in "Abducted 2"). The one constant about Rochon...she sure is easy on the eyes.

A couple other actors give above-average performances. I'm getting old and my memory is failing so I don't remember their names, but the actor that plays Juliet's father does a commendable job, as does the woman who plays Tromeo's...Tromeo?!?!?!...girlfriend (before he meets Juliet), but when you see her you'll know why I like her performance. Who needs silicone! All the other performances are well over the top and on their way down the other side.

As I said, I will always bring up the positive points of the movies I review, so here goes. The overall tone of the movie is fast-paced and has a lot of energy...a lot of shouting, a lot of arms flailing, and none of that introspective acting that sometimes gets in the way of a performance.

Even with her tattoos, numerous body piercings and the darkening of her eyebrows - which I didn't understand - Rochon is a breath of fresh air - literally. When her character sees that Juliet loves Tromeo...Tromeo?!?!?!...and needs to show a hint of a conscience, she makes it believable and it tugged at my heartstrings...but I was drunk when I watched it...

One last thing about Troma itself. I'm not sure if Lloyd Kaufman thinks people watch Troma movies because of him, but his name is the only credit on the front of the video box (directed by...) and appears on the box more times than the title of the movie! Being in advertising myself, I know the theory behind promotion and selling, but the word "subtle" is not in Troma's vocabulary. OK, one more thing - I don't know why, if they shoot on 35mm, everything looks so grainy. Rent a Panavision.

Well, I think I just killed any chance I might have had of working with Troma.

I can see how someone in their early twenties would love this movie. You know, the more I think about it, perhaps this movie wasn't aimed at my demographic. I should have known better when I saw a soundtrack which included bands such as Motorhead, Superchunk, Ass Ponys and Unsane. It's sad that filmmaking at this level has come down to demographics, isn't it?

classic troma
this is troma at its best.being a troma junkie i found this great as anything the troma boys have done.this movie is the second best troma flick i've seen next to the toxie movies.
its made evan better by the appearance of the man the myth the legend lemy kilmeister of motorhead.
i showed this to my buddy who never saw a troma film and got him hooked on troma.when i read romeo and juliet i was bored out of my mind,and the leo decrappio made me queesy butt this is the best retelling of that snorefest bill shakespear i've seen
so if your a weirdo or just likeoffbeat movies yull love this flick i did and i'm a looney

LOVE MEANS NEVERY HAVING TO SAY A THING
hey:

mr. k. has done it big time with this classic. only kaufman can take on shakespeare and come out a head.

wow.

i dig it like a vegtable.

jack e. jett
the jack e. jett show

a decent film...tromatized!
Tromeo and Juliet was a good flick. I am new to troma films, and this is the first one I viewed. I was pleased with it's bizzaire story line which mimiced shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The violence, nudity, sex (read like a cheap porn, which isnt a bad thing mind you!) and overall wierdness that I had heard about and was expecting from Troma was all there, and I loved every bit of it. If you are new to Troma films, you might want to check it out, and if even if you are a rabid fan, you might want to pick this one. The extras are cool to check out too. Especially the cut scenes. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Apocalypse Now
Still loaded with slapstick gore, the bad guys keep Toxie busy. He never does quite clean up Tromaville. Toxic Avenger III, The Final Temptation, is just as good its predecessors, with its Japanese voice dubbing and Toxi's torn tu-tu in dirty off-pink.
The plot takes a twist. Yes, I said plot. He's got to save his blind bombshell wife. Can he use the bad guys to do this? Food for thought as intestinal double dutch gives him a moment to think. Too gross? Can't be. You sat through the head crushing scene in the first one, and If you opted for the DVD, you sat through the uncut version of the head crushing scene, and you kept eating the microwave popcorn. You're just jealous because you can't rip someone's intestine's out the way Toxie can. Reach, rein! Pull, raus!!
You've bought the first one and The Toxic Avenger II... three's the charm or at least the third in the series, so have the whole collection. You'll sit there again in awe. "How does he do that ?"

I feel let down.
I bought this movie having high expectations after seeing the first one(best movie ever created by man). I popped it in and was pissing my pants in excitement. Little did I know that what stood before me would be the biggest let down in my 16 year life. The one part that made me smile was in the beginning when Toxie ripped that bad guy's intestines out and wrapped them around his neck. I have very high hopes for Toxic Avenger 4 since they really need to make up for this one.

This was a Disappointment
As much as I like Troma films, this movie was seriously disappointing. As a fan of the first two films in the Toxic Avenger series I was expecting a lot more from this third installment. Instead, this movie is a large step backwards from the previous two. The acting is horrible, the fight scenes are awful, and the plot is lacking.
And it features one of the worst endings ever. The "videogame" showdown makes little to no sense. Regardless of whether or not you're a Troma fan I recommend steering clear of this one.

If It's A Comedy, Shoudn't It Be Funny?
I laughed a lot to the first TOXIC AVENGER, I laughed a little more to the second TOXIC AVENGER. I may have laughed about twice during the third TOXIC AVENGER. That's right! It's that boring. I assume only a ten year old would like this film. I know I didn't. Again it's nothing like the original, but it's exactly like the second.

What I don't get, is why Apocalypse Inc. is back after Toxie eliminated them. Bringing them back was very unoriginal. They shouldn't even have a crime business in this one, because the first one didn't. The first one was the only one that was a bit realistic.

The only funny part is what Toxie does with a criminal's intestines at the beginning. And the only fight scene worth watching, is the ending. But the ending isn't that great either. That's how bad this film is.
During the film, stars of the movie admit they're in the movie. Not saying that, that is stupid, because there are movies like that. But, the first one didn't mention anything like that, so why should the second?

It just looks as if the directors Michael Herz, and Lloyd Kaufman didn't even try on improving this film. It looks like they were just looking for a few bucks to put in their pocket.

The jokes are old in this one, not that there are many of those in them anyway, but I noticed they stole a joke from the first TOXIC AVENGER hoping people wouldn't notice. For example, the mother being gruesome joke. The actors also can't even make the joke sound funny. The original actor who told that joke made it sound hilarious.

I sure hope CITIZEN TOXIE: THE TOXIC AVENGER PART IV is worth watching when it comes out. I'm hoping that it will be more like the first TOXIC AVENGER.

This film is pretty rare, and the video store I got it at, was the only video store that I've seen it at. So if you feel like this movie is something you need to see, then go ahead and rent it, because that may be your only chance to get it. But don't be a bonehead, and go buy it. Wait to see what you think about it.

I hope my long review was helpful to you!

Not as bad as people say
Toxic Avenger 3 is my second favorite in the series of three. (soon to be four) The toxic avenger 1 is the best in the series number 2 is the worst because none of the same cast returned and toxies face looked better in the first one and it was boring with toxies woiceover.The third one has some stupid voiceovers but not a lot also some scenes went on way too long.But something they did improve is the gore.In part 2 the gore was replaced with cartoon violence but in part 3 it wasn't cartoony like when he rips out the guys intestine and skip ropes with it.Some other things I like was that it had the same cast even from the first like cirgirface.It even had somethings the first had like toxie wareing the pilon on his head and that joke about mother in laws.All in all toxie 3 was an improvment over part 2 but not better than the first I just hope the fourth ones as good or better than the first. ... Read more

Reviews (45)

They found a peanut, all right...a peanut of DEATH!
I've always had this fantasy that some thoroughly disreputable quick-buck movie would end up being brilliant. Like, what if some soft-core "Erotic Thriller" ended up having gutsy, breakthrough performances and a riveting plot? What if "Police Academy 12" was Oscar-worthy?

My fantasies came through with "Tromeo & Juliet." The very concept of a punk "Romeo" is brilliant - they conceived this before Baz Luhrmann's movie - but seeing as how this is Troma we're talking about, Lloyd Kaufman could have steered this in a very wrong (read: conventional) direction. Fortunately, they managed to find a young mad genius named James Gunn to write the script, and they found some hungry young acting talent who threw themselves into the project. And Kaufman, perhaps inspired by all this, finally directed like a man more concerned with making a good movie than cashing in on the quick-buck exploitation trends that nearly ruined "Troma's War" and "Sgt. Kabukiman."

Not that "Tromeo & Juliet" isn't a quick-buck exploitation movie. It is. It's also a hilarious and inventive comedy, an art film, a soft-core porno, a gross-out gore flick, a surprisingly moving love story, and - best of all - one of the most oddly faithful Shakespeare adaptations I've ever seen. Amazingly, it's all these things all at the same time, sometimes even in the same scene (check out Murray Que's final scene, in the tattoo parlor). "Tromeo" captures the spirit, the wordplay, and the abandon that so many staid Shakespeare movies completely miss. And it's one of the most energetic and creative movies you're likely to see.

I could gush on and on about "Tromeo," for it is my favorite movie. Now that James Gunn is a big-time - although still delightfully weird - Hollywood writer, I wouldn't be surprised to see a surge in "Tromeo" sales. This is a good thing. "Tromeo" is a completely unique and exhilirating movie, and it deserves a huge audience. It's not for everyone, I suppose (the close-up shot of the nipple being pierced will pretty much clear the room of those who should have stayed away in the first place). But if you like a little trash in your art, or art in your trash, give "Tromeo" a chance.

Oh - and the budget for "Tromeo" was $350,000, or about what it costs to cater lunch for a week on your basic Adam Sandler movie.

Above-Average TROMA effort!
I realize Troma Studios has an extremely loyal, if not large, following and I am about to honk off what few loyalists will read this, but I just don't get it. I know Troma is trying to cater to those who prefer their movie entertainment to whack them in the face with a brick, but I get the feeling watching a Troma-produced movie made in the last few years that they are becoming a parody of themselves.

This is not meant to be a slap at "Tromeo and Juliet," but I can't help but vent about Troma. I don't, and never did, think that doing a "take" (turning your face toward the camera with your mouth and eyes wide open - some people refer to it as "mugging") was funny, and Lloyd Kaufman is the king of this. My feeling is that when I see a "take" in a movie, I am reminded that I'm watching a movie and am not simply a bystander in some characters' lives. I say this fully knowing that Troma-produced movies are not meant to be great art and are made to appeal to a certain viewer - I think he lives somewhere in New Jersey - and God forbid I tell someone what they should do with their money, but they could at least TRY.

The ultimate example of Troma's "love of self" - besides their commercials for their merchandise that show up before AND after each of their movies on the tapes - is the movie "Tromeo and Juliet." Tromeo?!?!?! I thought the world was coming to an end when I saw "The Toxic Avenger" made into a Saturday morning cartoon and then referred to as "Toxie" every time he makes an appearance, but "Tromeo?!?!?!". I always liked "The Toxic Avenger" but with each successive sequel, it got hokier and hokier (is hokier a word?). I respected Troma about 15 or 20 years ago when they were making movies such as "Combat Shock," "Class of Nuke 'em High" and the original "Toxic Avenger" but now it seems they are doing nothing but exploiting their viewers...whose numbers appear to be dwindling. Not that there's anything wrong with capitalizing on an alleged strong point and making money, but "Ars Gratia Artis" (art for art's sake) seems to mean nothing to Troma.

Phew...all that without taking a breath. On to the movie review.

"Tromeo and Juliet"...damn, I can't get past that title...is not a terrible movie. That is, if you like tattoos, body piercing, off-the-wall violence and the 'F' word. I could go on and on about over-the-top acting, stifled camera work (what I could do with HALF that budget!), rubber-mask effects, blah, blah, blah. Other than that, it's pretty good.

The main characters, Will Keenan, who pays Tromeo...Tromeo?!?!?...and Jane Jensen, Juliet, are actually pretty good. Their attraction for each other is actually believable because neither one of them are matinee idols...above average looks, below average IQs, rebellious, etc. Their characterizations, though, by no fault of the actors (we blame the writers for this), are very uneven. One example of this is that Juliet is portrayed as virginal and naive, yet at one point she pleasures herself after calling a 900 number and in more than one scene makes out with the maid, played by Debbie Rochon.

Aaahhh, Debbie Rochon. Rochon has a certain something that I haven't been able to put my finger on. She is very good when it comes to her needing to be sexy, although if the scenes in this movie are any indication, she has shattered a bunch of my illusions (I could never understand why guys get turned on by lesbian scenes). I don't think she is as good when she need to be evil, but she is convincing in straight roles (such as the mom in "Santa Claws") and alluring roles (again, when her character is shooting the strip scenes in "Santa Claws") or when she's scared (as in "Abducted 2"). The one constant about Rochon...she sure is easy on the eyes.

A couple other actors give above-average performances. I'm getting old and my memory is failing so I don't remember their names, but the actor that plays Juliet's father does a commendable job, as does the woman who plays Tromeo's...Tromeo?!?!?!...girlfriend (before he meets Juliet), but when you see her you'll know why I like her performance. Who needs silicone! All the other performances are well over the top and on their way down the other side.

As I said, I will always bring up the positive points of the movies I review, so here goes. The overall tone of the movie is fast-paced and has a lot of energy...a lot of shouting, a lot of arms flailing, and none of that introspective acting that sometimes gets in the way of a performance.

Even with her tattoos, numerous body piercings and the darkening of her eyebrows - which I didn't understand - Rochon is a breath of fresh air - literally. When her character sees that Juliet loves Tromeo...Tromeo?!?!?!...and needs to show a hint of a conscience, she makes it believable and it tugged at my heartstrings...but I was drunk when I watched it...

One last thing about Troma itself. I'm not sure if Lloyd Kaufman thinks people watch Troma movies because of him, but his name is the only credit on the front of the video box (directed by...) and appears on the box more times than the title of the movie! Being in advertising myself, I know the theory behind promotion and selling, but the word "subtle" is not in Troma's vocabulary. OK, one more thing - I don't know why, if they shoot on 35mm, everything looks so grainy. Rent a Panavision.

Well, I think I just killed any chance I might have had of working with Troma.

I can see how someone in their early twenties would love this movie. You know, the more I think about it, perhaps this movie wasn't aimed at my demographic. I should have known better when I saw a soundtrack which included bands such as Motorhead, Superchunk, Ass Ponys and Unsane. It's sad that filmmaking at this level has come down to demographics, isn't it?

classic troma
this is troma at its best.being a troma junkie i found this great as anything the troma boys have done.this movie is the second best troma flick i've seen next to the toxie movies.
its made evan better by the appearance of the man the myth the legend lemy kilmeister of motorhead.
i showed this to my buddy who never saw a troma film and got him hooked on troma.when i read romeo and juliet i was bored out of my mind,and the leo decrappio made me queesy butt this is the best retelling of that snorefest bill shakespear i've seen
so if your a weirdo or just likeoffbeat movies yull love this flick i did and i'm a looney

LOVE MEANS NEVERY HAVING TO SAY A THING
hey:

mr. k. has done it big time with this classic. only kaufman can take on shakespeare and come out a head.

wow.

i dig it like a vegtable.

jack e. jett
the jack e. jett show

a decent film...tromatized!
Tromeo and Juliet was a good flick. I am new to troma films, and this is the first one I viewed. I was pleased with it's bizzaire story line which mimiced shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The violence, nudity, sex (read like a cheap porn, which isnt a bad thing mind you!) and overall wierdness that I had heard about and was expecting from Troma was all there, and I loved every bit of it. If you are new to Troma films, you might want to check it out, and if even if you are a rabid fan, you might want to pick this one. The extras are cool to check out too. Especially the cut scenes. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Apocalypse Now
Still loaded with slapstick gore, the bad guys keep Toxie busy. He never does quite clean up Tromaville. Toxic Avenger III, The Final Temptation, is just as good its predecessors, with its Japanese voice dubbing and Toxi's torn tu-tu in dirty off-pink.
The plot takes a twist. Yes, I said plot. He's got to save his blind bombshell wife. Can he use the bad guys to do this? Food for thought as intestinal double dutch gives him a moment to think. Too gross? Can't be. You sat through the head crushing scene in the first one, and If you opted for the DVD, you sat through the uncut version of the head crushing scene, and you kept eating the microwave popcorn. You're just jealous because you can't rip someone's intestine's out the way Toxie can. Reach, rein! Pull, raus!!
You've bought the first one and The Toxic Avenger II... three's the charm or at least the third in the series, so have the whole collection. You'll sit there again in awe. "How does he do that ?"

I feel let down.
I bought this movie having high expectations after seeing the first one(best movie ever created by man). I popped it in and was pissing my pants in excitement. Little did I know that what stood before me would be the biggest let down in my 16 year life. The one part that made me smile was in the beginning when Toxie ripped that bad guy's intestines out and wrapped them around his neck. I have very high hopes for Toxic Avenger 4 since they really need to make up for this one.

This was a Disappointment
As much as I like Troma films, this movie was seriously disappointing. As a fan of the first two films in the Toxic Avenger series I was expecting a lot more from this third installment. Instead, this movie is a large step backwards from the previous two. The acting is horrible, the fight scenes are awful, and the plot is lacking.
And it features one of the worst endings ever. The "videogame" showdown makes little to no sense. Regardless of whether or not you're a Troma fan I recommend steering clear of this one.

If It's A Comedy, Shoudn't It Be Funny?
I laughed a lot to the first TOXIC AVENGER, I laughed a little more to the second TOXIC AVENGER. I may have laughed about twice during the third TOXIC AVENGER. That's right! It's that boring. I assume only a ten year old would like this film. I know I didn't. Again it's nothing like the original, but it's exactly like the second.

What I don't get, is why Apocalypse Inc. is back after Toxie eliminated them. Bringing them back was very unoriginal. They shouldn't even have a crime business in this one, because the first one didn't. The first one was the only one that was a bit realistic.

The only funny part is what Toxie does with a criminal's intestines at the beginning. And the only fight scene worth watching, is the ending. But the ending isn't that great either. That's how bad this film is.
During the film, stars of the movie admit they're in the movie. Not saying that, that is stupid, because there are movies like that. But, the first one didn't mention anything like that, so why should the second?

It just looks as if the directors Michael Herz, and Lloyd Kaufman didn't even try on improving this film. It looks like they were just looking for a few bucks to put in their pocket.

The jokes are old in this one, not that there are many of those in them anyway, but I noticed they stole a joke from the first TOXIC AVENGER hoping people wouldn't notice. For example, the mother being gruesome joke. The actors also can't even make the joke sound funny. The original actor who told that joke made it sound hilarious.

I sure hope CITIZEN TOXIE: THE TOXIC AVENGER PART IV is worth watching when it comes out. I'm hoping that it will be more like the first TOXIC AVENGER.

This film is pretty rare, and the video store I got it at, was the only video store that I've seen it at. So if you feel like this movie is something you need to see, then go ahead and rent it, because that may be your only chance to get it. But don't be a bonehead, and go buy it. Wait to see what you think about it.

I hope my long review was helpful to you!

Not as bad as people say
Toxic Avenger 3 is my second favorite in the series of three. (soon to be four) The toxic avenger 1 is the best in the series number 2 is the worst because none of the same cast returned and toxies face looked better in the first one and it was boring with toxies woiceover.The third one has some stupid voiceovers but not a lot also some scenes went on way too long.But something they did improve is the gore.In part 2 the gore was replaced with cartoon violence but in part 3 it wasn't cartoony like when he rips out the guys intestine and skip ropes with it.Some other things I like was that it had the same cast even from the first like cirgirface.It even had somethings the first had like toxie wareing the pilon on his head and that joke about mother in laws.All in all toxie 3 was an improvment over part 2 but not better than the first I just hope the fourth ones as good or better than the first. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Apocalypse Now
Still loaded with slapstick gore, the bad guys keep Toxie busy. He never does quite clean up Tromaville. Toxic Avenger III, The Final Temptation, is just as good its predecessors, with its Japanese voice dubbing and Toxi's torn tu-tu in dirty off-pink.
The plot takes a twist. Yes, I said plot. He's got to save his blind bombshell wife. Can he use the bad guys to do this? Food for thought as intestinal double dutch gives him a moment to think. Too gross? Can't be. You sat through the head crushing scene in the first one, and If you opted for the DVD, you sat through the uncut version of the head crushing scene, and you kept eating the microwave popcorn. You're just jealous because you can't rip someone's intestine's out the way Toxie can. Reach, rein! Pull, raus!!
You've bought the first one and The Toxic Avenger II... three's the charm or at least the third in the series, so have the whole collection. You'll sit there again in awe. "How does he do that ?"

I feel let down.
I bought this movie having high expectations after seeing the first one(best movie ever created by man). I popped it in and was pissing my pants in excitement. Little did I know that what stood before me would be the biggest let down in my 16 year life. The one part that made me smile was in the beginning when Toxie ripped that bad guy's intestines out and wrapped them around his neck. I have very high hopes for Toxic Avenger 4 since they really need to make up for this one.

This was a Disappointment
As much as I like Troma films, this movie was seriously disappointing. As a fan of the first two films in the Toxic Avenger series I was expecting a lot more from this third installment. Instead, this movie is a large step backwards from the previous two. The acting is horrible, the fight scenes are awful, and the plot is lacking.
And it features one of the worst endings ever. The "videogame" showdown makes little to no sense. Regardless of whether or not you're a Troma fan I recommend steering clear of this one.

If It's A Comedy, Shoudn't It Be Funny?
I laughed a lot to the first TOXIC AVENGER, I laughed a little more to the second TOXIC AVENGER. I may have laughed about twice during the third TOXIC AVENGER. That's right! It's that boring. I assume only a ten year old would like this film. I know I didn't. Again it's nothing like the original, but it's exactly like the second.

What I don't get, is why Apocalypse Inc. is back after Toxie eliminated them. Bringing them back was very unoriginal. They shouldn't even have a crime business in this one, because the first one didn't. The first one was the only one that was a bit realistic.

The only funny part is what Toxie does with a criminal's intestines at the beginning. And the only fight scene worth watching, is the ending. But the ending isn't that great either. That's how bad this film is.
During the film, stars of the movie admit they're in the movie. Not saying that, that is stupid, because there are movies like that. But, the first one didn't mention anything like that, so why should the second?

It just looks as if the directors Michael Herz, and Lloyd Kaufman didn't even try on improving this film. It looks like they were just looking for a few bucks to put in their pocket.

The jokes are old in this one, not that there are many of those in them anyway, but I noticed they stole a joke from the first TOXIC AVENGER hoping people wouldn't notice. For example, the mother being gruesome joke. The actors also can't even make the joke sound funny. The original actor who told that joke made it sound hilarious.

I sure hope CITIZEN TOXIE: THE TOXIC AVENGER PART IV is worth watching when it comes out. I'm hoping that it will be more like the first TOXIC AVENGER.

This film is pretty rare, and the video store I got it at, was the only video store that I've seen it at. So if you feel like this movie is something you need to see, then go ahead and rent it, because that may be your only chance to get it. But don't be a bonehead, and go buy it. Wait to see what you think about it.

I hope my long review was helpful to you!

Not as bad as people say
Toxic Avenger 3 is my second favorite in the series of three. (soon to be four) The toxic avenger 1 is the best in the series number 2 is the worst because none of the same cast returned and toxies face looked better in the first one and it was boring with toxies woiceover.The third one has some stupid voiceovers but not a lot also some scenes went on way too long.But something they did improve is the gore.In part 2 the gore was replaced with cartoon violence but in part 3 it wasn't cartoony like when he rips out the guys intestine and skip ropes with it.Some other things I like was that it had the same cast even from the first like cirgirface.It even had somethings the first had like toxie wareing the pilon on his head and that joke about mother in laws.All in all toxie 3 was an improvment over part 2 but not better than the first I just hope the fourth ones as good or better than the first. ... Read more