March 7^th, 2000

"TROMATIC 3-PACK"

It's a small miracle that New York based indie company Troma is still around while others have faded away; it's an even larger miracle the fan following they've gathered over the years.

Formed in the mid-70's by filmmaker Lloyd Kaufman and partner Michael Herz this company started out making a slew of "nudie" comedies before branching out into exploitation; and they've never looked back.

Known for mostly buying films from outside sources and slapping wacky titles on them (witness Stuff Stephanie In The Incinerator and Fat Guy Goes Nutzoid) this companies most successful, and watchable, films are actually made in-house.

This grab bag spotlights three of the best known films from Troma and is also a segueway to mention that a fourth part is scheduled for both of the first two films.

So let's get "Tromatized"!

The Toxic Avenger [1984] was their breakthrough hit. A modestly budgeted horror/comedy with plenty of gore and skin; this tells of Melvin, a nerdy "mop-boy" at the Tromaville fitness club who accidently falls into a vat of toxic waste and is transformed into the mutated crime-fighter of the title.

Showing plenty of the twisted humour and originallity of later Troma films this deservedly cult classic has plenty of gruesome goings-on (the hit 'n' run sickness and taco restuarant scenes are completely twisted fun), juvenile jokes and memorable moments (and lines) to see. Plus there's two not-as-good sequels and a planned fourth, Citizen Toxie.

Class Of Nuke 'Em High [1986] was Troma's attempt at recapturing the success of Toxie by using the same basic premise; and while it didn't do as well it's still complete camp fun.

Kids at the local high school start to mutate after smoking weed contaminated by the neighbouring nuclear power plant while having to deal with a monster in the fall-out shelter in the school's basement.

Piling on even more grue, juvenile humour, completely stupid goings-on and crude filmmaking techniques than Toxie; this one is a pure joy for Troma fans and actually has decent creature effects. And, like Toxie, there's also two not-as-good sequels and a planned fourth.

Tromeo & Juliet [1997] could be considered Troma's "masterpiece". Actually hailed by a lot of critics, this twisted retelling of Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" has two lovers caught in the middle of two fueding families that will resort to gory murders and such lewd pranks as smearing dead animals all over the place to prove they hate each other.

The surprising thing is they actually manage to stick pretty close to Shakespeare's work only throwing in all the gore, sex, body piercing, crude humour and sick sensibilities only Troma could muster up.

Plus it's got Lemmy of Motorhead as the narrator! So there's a good reason right there, folks.

And what's the future hold for Troma? Staying on the same steady path as always, releasing the ocassional new movie and bringing out respectable re-releases of some of their most well-known catalogue titles. Plus there's the must-see "Terror Firmer" out now and the aforementioned sequels to look forward to.

Troma will never die!