Combat Shock

Combat Shock is a horror drama reminiscent of a very sleazy and uncomfortable mix of The Deer Hunter and Eraserhead - with a bare plot, amateur actors, and bizarre eighties music. I would not label Troma's influence for that as Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman only got involved with Combat Shock during post-production, until then it was very much an independent movie. A sort of journey through the street-life charged with contemporary social criticism. The Vietnam war, poverty, prostitution, drugs, in other words, America in the “best” light. Where it is all heading is quite clear right from the beginning, yet with its rawness and authentically wretched setting, it can draw audiences in nicely. (04.04.2019)

An interesting film and a beautiful example that with Troma, it wasn't just about spectacle but sometimes also about substance. True, this isn't a Kaufman work, which is why it's not as wild or offbeat. This is a very powerful spectacle about how war truly changes a person. Yes, it's somewhat reminiscent of Jacob's Ladder, with elements found in other similar films, but that's not a problem at all. Thanks to its rawness, this one is again a bit different and very intense. Moreover, I probably won't be the only one reminded of Lynch and his film Eraserhead due to the child and dysfunctional marriage theme. (26.05.2014)