Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger Part IV

Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger Part IV, released in 2000, is a gross-out, gory and over-top-film that thrives on its outlandish humor and surrealistic storytelling method. Directed by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz, the film stars David Mattey in the titular role of The Toxic Avenger and Clyde Lewis as the sadistic, alternate universe counterpart, The Noxious Offender.

The film takes place in the fictional, heightened-reality metropolis of Tromaville, New Jersey. Our 'hero', The Toxic Avenger, also known as Toxie, hails from this city that is dirty, dingy, and rife with crime. Toxie himself is an unconventional superhero - the result of a young man named Melvin Ferd, who, after being bullied and thrown into a vat of toxic waste by some cruel locals, undergoes a horrific transformation, morphing into the monstrous and hideous character with incredible strength and an unwavering will to crush evil. This quirky behemoth of a character instantly became the symbolic mascot for the underground film company, Troma Entertainment.

In Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger Part IV, the narrative delights in its absurdity, taking viewers on a rollercoaster ride of madness. The adventure begins with a school hostage crisis gone wrong, turning into a fiasco that involves a parallel universe, clones of past foes, the devil, and a showdown between good and evil.

Following an explosive confrontation in the Tromaville Special School, a paradoxical rift is opened, swapping Toxie with his evil twin from an alternate universe, The Noxious Offender. While Noxious Offender wreaks havoc in Tromaville, the real Toxie finds himself trapped in Amortville, the polar opposite of his home city. It's a clean, prim and proper place that's infested with evil to its core and where the citizens are far from good. We thus see both protagonists trying to adapt to their new surroundings while also plotting their returns back home.

David Mattey impressively carries dual roles, and the juxtaposition of his performances draws attention to the versatility he brings to the table. As Toxie, he delivers a mutant protagonist who is part human, part monster entirely a hero who, despite his grotesque appearance, exudes an unexpected charm. His alter ego, Noxious Offender, is intimidating, and Clyde Lewis provides him with a sinister edge that instantly sets him apart from his good twin.

The film’s raw and frenzied aesthetics perfectly emulate the outrageous sensibilities of Troma productions. The oddball characters, a plethora of unabashedly gross special effects, absurd plot twists and turns - this is a film that turns convention upside down and celebrates its peculiar brand of anarchy.

Notably, this installment introduces a compelling narrative dimension in its exploration of the duality of good versus evil and the idea of identities switching places. Citizen Toxie takes an elaborate, fantastical concept and delivers it with an interesting subversive edge, literally throwing our world into disorder. Furthermore, it provides a sardonic twist on the serum-induced transformation trope often seen in comic books, all the while maintaining a tongue-in-cheek irreverence towards established superhero norms.

However, note that Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger Part IV is not for the faint-hearted. It is imbued with exaggerated violence, sexual content, and a level of gross-out humor that might be challenging for viewers not familiar with this subversive style of filmmaking. But for those who revel in the zany, the ludicrous and the brazenly audacious, this installment of the Toxic Avenger series offers a thoroughly unforgettable experience.

In summary, Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger Part IV is a madcap, over-the-top ride that is bound to enliven one's cinema viewing. It's a darkly comic, satirical, and flat-out weird ride that reminds us that sometimes heroes come in the most unlikely, and often repugnant, packages. Be warned – the Tromaville Universe is not for everyone - but those who enjoy zany and surreal storytelling will doubtless find company in this bizarre universe.