What Took 'The Toxic Avenger' So Long?

On Sept. 21, 2023, in Austin, Texas, "The Toxic Avenger" had its big debut. A remake of the 1984 film from schlock pioneers Troma Entertainment, this new version felt like an elevated take – the social commentary and environmentalism of the original was there, along with the gross-out gags, but the filmmaking (by writer/director Macon Blair) was more competent, and the cast was full of recognizable performers like Peter Dinklage, Elijah Wood and Kevin Bacon. The crowd for "The Toxic Avenger," which screened as part of Fantastic Fest, appreciated this latest incarnation – there were . . .