Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.0

Combat Shock Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 26, 2022

The 1980s introduced a wave of films that reassessed and, in some cases, reengaged with the Vietnam War. With the conflict becoming more and more of a memory, storytellers elected to return viewers to the situation with renewed clarity, hoping to reach the reality of all the senseless death and destruction, creating a true understanding of horror and sacrifice. When one considers this trend, the extremes of titles such as “Platoon” and “Rambo: First Blood Part II” come to mind, but there’s also room for “Combat Shock,” a low-budget backyard production from writer/director Buddy Giovinazzo, who used the 1984 release to address the plight of PTSD-wrecked vets trying to contain their melting brains. And he takes on the subject matter via exploitation cinema, hoping to strangle audiences with his dire vision for mental health and physical decay, which often confuses his messages on the state of the union.

Frankie (Rick Giovinazzo) is rotting away in Staten Island, living in squalor with his wife, Cathy (Veronica Stork), and their baby, which was born with severe physical disabilities due to his exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. Frankie suffered greatly during his time overseas, captured by the enemy, tortured and left for dead, forcing him to spend three years in a hospital when he returned home. Shunned by his father and hated by his wife, Frankie has nothing, spending his days wandering around the city, dealing with gang members, junkies, and child prostitutes as he processes all the poison swirling around his mind, leading him to the brink of madness.

Giovinazzo doesn’t have the cash to bring the Vietnam experience to life, using Staten Island locations to replicate the humid hellscape of the conflict, presented in a lengthy introductory sequence where we learn about Frankie’s interactions with the enemy and the corrosive quality of his thoughts. “Combat Shock” soon focuses on the dangers of his daily existence, as PTSD has turned him into a zombie, ignoring his responsibilities to care for Cathy and the baby, preferring to live in a daze while touring the streets. There’s a germ of an idea here, highlighting the state of America in the mid-1980s and the ostracization of veterans in desperate need of therapeutic and pharmaceutical help. But “Combat Shock” isn’t that ambitious, preferring to showcase the awfulness of society, with Frankie navigating through decaying, crime-ridden neighborhoods, dealing with desperate souls. Giovinazzo also simply highlights Frankie’s walking tour, using an uncomfortably upbeat synth score (created by Rick Giovinazzo) to support lengthy pedestrian sequences, which add little to the movie.

Combat Shock Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation provides a windowboxed look at the particulars of "Combat Shock." The 16mm-shot feature is fairly grungy to begin with, and the source has some wear and tear, dealing with lengthy scratches, debris, and a few jumpy frames. Detail offers a softer look at textures on costuming and personal appearances, showing the age of the scan. Staten Island tours aren't deeply dimensional, lacking needed depth. Colors are mildly appreciable with greenery and hues of filth. Primaries are acceptable with store signage and costuming. Delineation has moments of solidification. Grain is heavy and blocky, lacking a film-like quality.

Combat Shock Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 Dolby Digital mix for "Combat Shock" is working with the limitations of the production, offering slightly muddier dialogue exchanges at times. Intelligibility is periodically challenged (subtitles aren't included in this release) as well. Scoring delivers a clearer synth sound. Sound effects are pronounced. Popping is periodic.

Combat Shock Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Intro (2:48, HD) features Troma Entertainment honcho in his "COVID bunker," discussing the Blu-ray release of "Combat Shock." Well, at least he tries to, getting off-topic with thoughts on politics, the senseless death of "yellow-skinned" people, and Fidel Castro's experience in Cuba.

• Location Tour (2:42, SD) is a 2008 return to Staten Island, highlighting the changes in the area since the "Combat Shock" shoot.

• Interview (6:33, SD) with actor/composer Rick Giovinazzo covers his early music ambition, working with his sibling, Buddy, to create music videos. Acting wasn't in his future plans, but the opportunity arrived to play the lead role in "Combat Shock." Production anecdotes are shared, and Rick makes it clear he's not an extreme as Buddy, admitting he's uncomfortable with the violence in the film.

• "Post Traumatic: An American Nightmare" (29:12, SD) is an appreciation piece featuring interviews with fans David Gregory, Mitch Davis, Jim Van Bebber, Rick Sullivan, William Lustig, Scott Spiegel, Richard Stanley, Justin Stanley, John McNaughton, Roy Frumkes, and Joe Kane. Initial coverage in Fangoria kicked off cult interest in "Combat Shock," making it a must see in horror circles. After the first screenings of the endeavor, titled "American Nightmare," writer/director Buddy Giovinazzo turned to Troma Entertainment for distribution, bringing it to ticket- buyers who weren't always sure what they were seeing, overwhelmed by the feature. A London horror film festival screening cemented its reputation. Promotional efforts are highlighted, with Troma selling the movie as an actioner, and comparisons are made to similar pictures from the 1980s. Analysis of the decade and the genre is presented, along with the lasting themes of "Combat Shock."

• "About the Orange Baby" (:43, SD) gives Jim Van Bebber a moment to ramble on about the baby in "Combat Shock."

• "Der Combat Lloyd Finds Buddy Giovinazzo at Tromanale 2006" (4:24, SD) catches up with the filmmaker, who provides an overview of technical achievements, casting, early audience rejection of the movie, and his comfort level with the final cut, describing it as "a trip to the dentist." Production limitations are also explored, including the creation of the $140 baby puppet.

• Short Films (SD) include "A Christmas Album" (7:04), "Lost Joe Spinell Film" (7:55), "Subconscious Realities" (15:26), "Jonathan of the Night" (12:58), and "The Lobotomy" (7:13).

• Interview (4:04, SD) is a chat with writer/director Buddy Giovinazzo, who discusses his initial idea for "Combat Shock," inspired by newspaper articles on PTSD. The interviewee also explores the sour milk scene, his experience directing brother Rick Giovinazzo, and the catharsis of his work.

• "Buddy Giovinazzo and Jorg Buttgereit at the 2009 Berlin Film Festival" (7:38, SD) spends casual time with the filmmakers, with the encounter captured in room with unforgiving sound issues.

• Music Videos (SD) include "Planet TT" (4:20), "Leave This World" (4:05), and "Something in the Water" (3:10).

• And a Theatrical Trailer (3:17, SD) and a DVD Trailer (1:39, SD) are included.

Combat Shock Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Combat Shock" gets rough with its characters, offering a bleak study of ruination and exploitation, reaching, but not remaining, on a few potentially interesting emotional spaces that deserve deeper analysis. Instead, Giovinazzo is constructing a more visceral appreciation of a complete mental shutdown, and there are moments when such an approach connects, hitting viewers with a nihilistic vision for hopelessness. Unfortunately, the intriguing parts of "Combat Shock" are trapped under layers of clumsy filmmaking and sluggish pacing, limiting the boldness of its approach and the freshness of its themes.