The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie

The third TOXIC AVENGER film (aka LAST TEMPTATION OF TOXIE, 1989) by Herz/Kaufman pair is not too interesting anymore because it seems to rely more and more on the inept "humor" that would be found in the many other Troma films, too, but which was much more intelligent and critical in the frist TOXIC. Still the third part includes even Satan and an internal moral fight of the protagonist mutant which are welcome additions to the dramatic structure of the monster story! There are some nice and even clever camera tricks and angles (like the school bus terror) and naturally lots of ridiculous sexual situations and (some) ultra gore, but when compared to the originality and great dialogue of the first movie and the ultra wild and still pretty fresh feel of the second part, this third movie seems more and more just a money taker and not so great a (trash) movie anymore. Usually if a sequel has many segments or scenes from a previous film (usually from part one), that tells something about the obvious lack of new ideas and in addition to this sequel in question, that can also be found among others in an awful Sonny Chiba sequel to his Japanese karate flick THE STREET FIGHTER (1974), THE RETURN OF THE STREET FIGHTER (1975). These films don't have anything else in common for sure but both sequels tell the same thing.

The best thing about Toxic Avenger Part III is the poster art. The film starts off pretty good with a fight at Tromaville Video. This is probably the highlight of the movie. Make sure you watch the Unrated version as the R Rated version removes almost all of the gore.

Once again Toxie has rid Tromaville of all evil, or so he thinks. What is an out of work superhero to do? Toxie signs a contract with Apocalypse Inc. To make enough money to buy his girlfriend an operation that will restore her eye sight. Corporate Toxie becomes blind to what is going on right under his nose in Tromaville. He's letting the bad guys takeover his town. His girlfriend convinces him to finally open his eyes, and he realizes that he's sold his soul to the Devil. To break the contract Toxie must play the Seven Levels of Doom and win or the Devil himself will rule over Tromaville and Toxie's friends.

This entry is the most disappointing of the series, and much like Part II, I really enjoyed this film when I was younger. Toxic Avenger Part III hasn't held up very well, and will probably have the greatest appeal to those who are viewing it for the first time.

I'm probably the only person that likes this installment. Even Kaufman himself doesnt care for it but I like this one. I can't really compare it to part II becuase c'mon..it's pretty much the same movie just a 2nd half. Toxie III is the 2nd half of an overlong movie that was split down the middle. It opens with an awesome scene a video store with Troma posters covering the place , some bonehead criminals pop in to cause trouble attacking the role Troma plays on consumer favorites like anything released by Warner Bros and MGM. It's also an attack on how mainstream chain video stores like Movie Gallery and Blockbuster are driving independent mom n pop video stores out which always have an awesome variety of movies..especially low budget horror on their shelves. Toxie bust in as a symbol of Troma's stance on cleaning up these corporations with some grissly death scenes..ahh how funny jump roping with intestines is. After this Toxie isnt having as much fun as he used to , he's resorted to stopping old ladies from cheating at cards..to getting kids to eat their lima beans. That annoying girlfriend Claire can get her eyes corrected with an operation..all Toxie needs is money. He signs a deal with Apoclypse Inc the corporation he ran out in Part II and gets her the operation.. And so Toxie becomes the most horrible thing of all..a yuppie. Clearly taking a stab at the Reagan era spoiled brats Toxie III has the least action in the series..in fact the entire middle is pretty lifeless until the chairman (again Rick Collins) reveals himself to be none other than the Devil himself and challenges Toxie to the Levels Of Doom. In the end..you'll just have to see it. Definitly not the best in the series..but hey..it's got it's moments see it anyway...but probably only really worth it in the Unrated Directors Cut since the R version omits most of the gore in the first half.

As somebody who for the first time just got to watch all of the Toxic Avenger films back to back, it is all too obvious that splitting the original 2nd film into two films was a rather big mistake. While this film does have some of the best moments in the Toxic Avenger series, the film feels flat due to the major lack of action in the film overall.

There are several very good moments in the film however worth seeing. The opening videostore heist, containing what has got to be the weirdest (and funniest) cardboard cutout joke I've ever seen in my life, along with a obvious kick in the shins to what would later be known as the "Media Cartel" courtesy of Lloyd Kaufman. Another classic is obviously the end fight between Troma's rendition of the Ultimate Evil and Toxie.

Overall, for fans of Toxie and Troma this is a mandatory viewing. However, I have to agree with Stan Lee's opening narration of Citizen Toxie when parts 2 and 3 were disowned.

The previous two Toxic Avenger films managed a total 5 points out of a potential 20 from me so it goes without saying that Troma hardly have a fan here.

The companies most famous character returns for a third and perhaps worst outing. Here Toxie sells his soul to the devil in order to raise the money for his girlfriends eye surgery, and that's basically it.

Unlike part 2 there aren't even any purile gags to be found here and the whole thing is cringe inducing. If a 5yr old were given money to have a movie filmed based on their writing I'm pretty sure this is what it'd look like.

Toxic vomit, men in tutus, another awkward Toxie sex scene and random dog people are to be found and little else. Childish, dumb and I can't believe there is another one and that I'm going to watch it.

The Good:

Consistent cast

The Bad:

Simply not funny

Things I Learnt From This Movie:

Intestines make great skipping ropes

Tattoo removal in the 80's was savage!

Redneck Zombies was not a Disney film