Man Down: Sam Witwicky Has 2-Genre PTSD

Man Down is a (sort of) new film starring Shia LaBeouf as Shia LaBeouf starring as a Marine combat veteran. Though it's difficult to tell from the trailer without doing some online research, LeBeouf's character comes home from deployment to what IMDB and others describe as “post-apocalyptic America.” The action scenes look relatively well shot and are particularly striking. This unfortunately makes us even more dubious of the movie than the standard exploit-the-veteran PTSD, regret filled memory sequences that seem to contain just about every over-used war trope there is. His character's last name is even Drummer.

Because God forbid we have a veteran in a movie come home from overseas glad he went and proud of his service, much less wish he could go back.

The movie also stars Gary Oldman, cast either as either the little Drummer boy's commanding officer or a military doctor, and Kate Mara as the Drummer boy's wife. There will also be some other folks equally unable to save the movie from LaBeouf's jaw-clenching, teary eyed retrospectives; though we could be wrong. Maybe it will be awesome. Maybe there will be surprise appearance by Decepticons or giant Commie-eating army ants. The biggest thing this movie seems to have going for it is that it doesn't last eleven hours and star a grizzly bear that beats the shit out of him in a snow-filled forest.

Man Down appears in theaters Friday, December 2nd. Presumably you'll be able to rent it on demand beginning Monday the 5th.

Here. This might not have the same quality special effects as Man Down, and it isn't much better, but at least you can watch it at home and save some money and it's clearly better written (which admittedly isn't saying much).

From the movie description:

“When U.S. Marine Gabriel Drummer (Shia LaBeouf) returns home from his tour in Afghanistan, he finds that the place he once called home is no better than the battlefields he fought on overseas. Accompanied by his best friend Devin Roberts (Jai Courtney), a hardnosed Marine whose natural instinct is to shoot first and ask questions later, he searches desperately for the whereabouts of his estranged son, Johnathan (Charlie Shotwell), and wife, Natalie (Kate Mara). In their search, the two intercept Charles (Clifton Collins Jr.), a man carrying vital information about the whereabouts of Gabriel’s family. As we revisit the past, we are guided in unraveling the puzzle of Gabriel's experience and what will eventually lead us to finding his family. The psychological suspense thriller, MAN DOWN also stars Gary Oldman.”

Why you can trust RECOIL

---

Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. 

Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. 

At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. 

Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products.

NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOIL

For years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included).

Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.

You want this. Trust Us.