Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		2.0

Carnage Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman October 5, 2021

Note: This film is available as part of The Dungeon of Andy Milligan.

Lovers of what might be charitably termed Grade Z Cinema have had a number of outstanding releases by a variety of labels over the past few years. Arrow has offered fans surprisingly deluxe-ified (that's a word, I insist) editions of The Herschell Gordon Lewis Feast and Weird Wisconsin: The Bill Rebane Collection, among others, while Severin Films has gotten into exploring this decidedly odd nook and/or cranny with releases like Al Adamson: The Masterpiece Collection. Severin's back with more, um, "masterpieces" with this inventively packaged homage to the late Andy Milligan, a kinda sorta auteur whose professional life had more than its fair share of hurdles, and whose personal life unfortunately ended up not being much better. The 14 films (with one bonus film in HD, Toga Party) aggregated in this set are exploitation outings at their "finest" (?), which means those with more patrician tastes are probably well advised to steer completely clear of this release. Those with grittier sensibilities will find some at times oddly entertaining movies and Severin's usual supply of appealing supplements.

Technically, Carnage is one of the more self-assured films in the Milligan set, which, if judged on what I have previously jokingly referred to as the "Ed Wood Curve", may push this into near competence, the film itself is another kind of hilarious mishmash that has an interesting enough premise, but which Milligan is never able to really realize fully. The film actually begins with both a literal and a figurative bang with a rather well done vignette documenting an evidently newly married couple who are quickly part of a suicide pact. Years later, another married couple buys the home where the first couple expired, and a supposed ghost story ensues.

There are manifold problems with Carnage, with one of them being Milligan's often repeated tendency to go down rabbit holes of various interrelationship dysfunctions instead of focusing on the more ostensibly horror ridden aspects of the tale. The horror ridden aspects of this particular tale are unfortunately also kind of mishandled, with the supposed haunting of the house not able to be depicted in any really visceral manner due to the traditionally miniscule Milligan budget.

This does at least have a bit of "polish" (again, a decidedly relative term) with Milligan moving up to the "big leagues" of 35mm and at this stage of his career having a bit more control over things like, you know, framing and focus pulling.

Carnage Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Carnage is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Severin Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. Severin's booklet included with this release has the following information on the transfer:

Carnage has been scanned and restored from its 35mm camera negative.

That brief comment, while not overly informational, may indicate why this is arguably one of the stronger presentations in the Milligan set. The 35mm source does show occasional minor damage, but is in noticeably better condition than many of its siblings in this collection, and the larger format helps to support a more consistent presentation in terms of detail and especially fine detail levels. The palette is quite robust, perhaps arguably looking just a tad brown at times, but offering secure primaries and natural looking flesh tones. Grain resolves naturally throughout the presentation.

Carnage Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Carnage features a relatively strong sounding DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track. There are still some fluctuations in fidelity that seem to afflict just about all of the soundtracks in this set, but they're rather minor when compared to some of the other audio presentations. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout, and there are no issues with regard to any major damage. Optional English subtitles are available.

Carnage Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• * Trailer - Monstrosity (HD; 2:12)

*Blood and this film share one disc, and this more generalized supplement is therefore included in both reviews.

Carnage Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Carnage is another Milligan effort that has an at least workable premise, but which Milligan struggles to ever realize fully. This particular feature offers some of the most secure technical merits in the Milligan set, for those who are considering making a purchase.