The title has “Unrated” in it because the film was released in that mode. It went for an uncensored release, because if it had gone through the hurdles to receive a proper rating, its audience would be limited. The Toxic Avenger Unrated has unlimited violence and mayhem, but at the same time there are many clever quirks that are all just perfect. Silliness often has strokes of brilliance that I appreciate.

The film is directed by Macon Blair. As I watched The Toxic Avenger, the 1984 version came to mind because much of the hideousness still lingers throughout. The presentation is cheesy, but it manages to rise above this horizon which is comprised of a vast landscape of dry land, a dead town, and one man with his own problems who is bound to make a difference. A hero is still found in The Toxic Avenger, and he rises rapidly, but the green skin is also his tactic. The film goes full throttle with gruesomeness and payback filled with enthralling grandeur.

The film focuses on a dwarf named Winston (Peter Dinklage). He is just a man with his own problems trying his best to raise his stepson Wade (Jacob Tremblay). Winston’s life is full of bad news due to various illnesses. He despises his CEO, Bob Barbinger (Kevin Bacon). Bob is also a criminal leader with his accomplice brother Ritz (played by Elijah Wood). The Barbinger family leans on wealth and lies to fuel their own life of luxury. This all changes when Winston finds himself stuck in a pit with chemicals. Soon, his skin flairs up and he finds himself big, green, ugly, yet powerful. Hence the title, Winston is “The Toxic Avenger” and makes it his mission to save others. He goes after Bob and Fritz to save his own life as well as the townspeople they have betrayed. With the help of another furious colleague named J.J. (Taylour Paige), Winston goes on a rapid quest for violence and criminal-hunting to rescue the town from the lies of the Barbinger brothers.

The film is silly like a comic book with characters and continuity combining in comical ways. Dinklage is like a new version of Spiderman, but with a green gauntlet and ugly skin as his powers he still kills. There are a lot of quirks and quotes to go along with the film. The writing is vast which keeps the comic sense boiling in the minds of the audience. The dynamic of a town falling apart due to a family that has always cheated on the system is interesting. Bacon plays the role of a greedy entrepreneur well, and Wood does phenomenal playing a shy criminal.

It is a film of misfits that all make the audience laugh but also cheer for victory. Along the way, there are scenes with flying body parts, offensive quotes, and a whole lot of disgust. Thefilm’s repulsiveness may get to some viewers, but I love the quirkiness which both scares and humors. Three out of four stars for The Toxic Avenger Unrated.