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The Crazies (2010)
Tags: (17 votes)
Rating #:
7/10
Director:
Breck Eisner
Runtime:
101 minutes
Cast:
Timothy Olyphant,
Radha Mitchell,
Joe Reegan,
Joe Anderson,
Danielle Panabaker,
Lynn Lowry,
Justin Welborn Hello, Hell? Yes, this is John calling. I had a quick question for you. What’s the temperature like down there? I just ask because I have an inkling that you may have frozen over. That’s right kiddies, I am happy to say that The Crazies does not suck! I’m not gonna lie, I had serious doubts for a while since I really dig the original. Not to mention the fact that they chose a director who only has a career because his daddy ran Disney. I mean have you seen his only other film, Sahara? What a mess. But to my surprised pleasure, The Crazies turned out to be one of the stronger mainstream horror films of late.
Keeping a similar story to that of its source material, The Crazies regales us with the tale of a small, tight knit farming community who’s drinking water becomes accidentally contaminated with a government engineered virus. Those infected lose all control of right and
wrong as they go on homicidal rampages before their bodies deteriorate. The evil American government shows up with hazmat clad military personnel to separate the infected from the healthy. The town’s sheriff, David, must band together with his pregnant wife, her young, sexy employee, and the deputy sheriff evade capture and make it out of the town before they too succumb to the fate of their friends and neighbors.Alright, so I’m not going to lie, there are some serious problems going on in The Crazies. With plot holes aplenty and characters making really ridiculous decisions, it’s easy to find fault here. When the sheriff is trying to get back into the town to find his wife, his friend explains that everything is blocked off and the military will shoot him dead if he tries to get by. Yet the next scene we see that he’s made it back to his station without any explanation of how he was able to get through. And for someone who’s risked his life again and again to save his wife, he sure as hell has no problem leaving her alone quite a few times while he saunters off to investigate a strange noise.
The filmmakers also commit the crime of serious under usage of Danielle Panabaker. She’s present through a great majority of the film, but she appears to be just kind of there without serving much of purpose. I got the feeling that a lot of her character’s development might have ended up on the cutting room floor for pacing reasons, which is a shame because she’s probably one of the most promising young actresses of the genre.
Despite all these problems, I was still thoroughly entertained by the fast paced, blood soaked roller coaster that the film took me on. And you know what, if horror movie characters didn’t do dumb shit every once in a while that forced them to end up in dangerous situations then we wouldn’t have much of a movie now would we? As I mentioned before, Breck Eisner wouldn’t have been my first choice to direct any worthwhile horror film, let alone a Romero remake, but he proved me wrong.
Working with Director of Photography Maxime Alexandre, the man who shot all of Alexandre Aja’s films, Eisner has
incorporated some beautiful imagery and tension filled frames. While the original had a more gritty, low budget feel, this new version fits well for today’s filmmaking senses with a professional, slick look. If there’s one thing I wish Eisner would have toned down it would be the over usage of jump scares. Some of them are effective, while others just become redundant and annoying.While the film is by no means a gore hound’s fantasy, there’s plenty of bloodshed brought to us by the use of some great practical effects work mixed seamlessly with what appears to be minor CG enhancements. These scenes are pretty brutal and really heighten the tension of the already bad ass set pieces within the visually interesting locations. While the acting is strong all across the board, it’s Timothy Olyphant as Sheriff Dutton who carries the movie. Yes, I said Timothy Olyphant…NOT Josh Duhmal as I’ve been hearing everyone saying. While Olyphant is known for his more cynical roles such as in The Girl Next Door and Go, he really impressed me and pulled off the hero card rather well. Honorable mention would without a doubt go to Joe Anderson with his effective and memorable role of the deputy as well.
The Crazies reminded me a lot of Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead redo. Not only because they both feature Johnny Cash songs near the opening, but also because they both take Romero’s occasionally heavy handed social commentaries and subdued them in favor of bringing us strong, action filled popcorn flicks. There’s nothing wrong with this since sometimes you’re just in the mood to be entertained. Although those searching for the commentaries will still see their remnants here and find that Romero’s views on the government and their enforcement of rules on the military are still relevant to today’s society.
As a minor last note criticism, I can’t help but wish they went a little further with the actions of the crazies and made them, well, crazier. Fans of the original will surely notice the absence of the priest lighting himself on fire, the old lady with the knitting needles, and the attempted incestuous rape. I suppose these elements might not have flown over well in a modestly budgeted studio film, but dammit I miss them.
With plot holes and cheap jump scares, The Crazies is far from a perfect film. But as far as sheer entertainment value goes, it hooks you in almost immediately and doesn’t let go until the final, earth shattering explosion. There‘s nothing really new or innovative going on here, but man was it a fun ride. Taken for what it is, it works.
| Posted on February 26, 2010 - 3:46am | Johnny D |
Dates are tentative and subject to change.
- Tue, February 14, 2012 (DVD)
- Tue, February 14, 2012 (DVD)
- Tue, February 14, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, February 17, 2012
- Tue, February 21, 2012 (DVD)
- Tue, February 28, 2012 (DVD)
- Tue, February 28, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, March 2, 2012 (VOD)
- Tue, March 6, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, March 9, 2012
- Sat, March 17, 2012 (SyFy)
- Tue, March 20, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, March 30, 2012
- Tue, April 3, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, April 6, 2012 (Limited)
- Tue, April 10, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, April 13, 2012 (Chiller)
- Fri, April 13, 2012
- Tue, April 17, 2012
- Tue, April 17, 2012 (DVD)
- Tue, April 17, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, April 20, 2012 (Limited)
- Fri, April 20, 2012
- Tue, April 24, 2012 (DVD)
- Tue, April 24, 2012
- Fri, April 27, 2012
- Fri, April 27, 2012
- Fri, May 4, 2012 (VOD)
- Fri, May 11, 2012
- Fri, June 8, 2012
- Tue, June 12, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, June 22, 2012
- Fri, August 17, 2012
- Fri, August 24, 2012
- Fri, August 24, 2012
- Fri, August 31, 2012
- Fri, August 31, 2012
- Fri, September 14, 2012
- Fri, September 21, 2012
- Fri, October 5, 2012
- Fri, October 19, 2012
- Fri, October 26, 2012
- Fri, December 21, 2012
- Fri, January 11, 2013
- Fri, February 1, 2013
- Fri, February 15, 2013
- Fri, February 22, 2013
- Fri, April 12, 2013
- Fri, May 10, 2013
- Fri, June 28, 2013
nicely done john, great review
I created an account as soon as I saw the rating for this film, as a true horror fan I was shocked.I wanted to like this movie SO BAD, truth is it was poorly done,unoriginal,and plain boring at times.
i really wanted to like this but i found it all a bit generic. to me it was an insert any old actor here kind of movie. i felt no connection between any of the characters and i really think you need that in this kind of movie. i had a few laughs from the characters but no genuine connection. and the story was ok at times but it was like i've seen this all before and done much better. i'd recommend for a view once but i wouldn't own it. i rented it for a buck from the redbox so i guess i could of done worse. and i have, many times, lol. 4 out 0f 10 stars.
>) Awesome movie!this has got to be the best movie that I've seen all year long!Loved the acting,the special effects,the storyline,and just well...everything!I was going with Pandorum as my favorite movie of the year,and then the book of Eli was pretty good too;but this movie absolutely kicked ass!!!I recommend it to everyone,even those who have never seen the original.(like myself)
After reading the review, my thoughts on this film are saddened because the scenes whith the old woman nitting, the priest setting himself alight and the rape scenes are not present. I had recently bought the original because of the trailers, for this, advertised nearly everyday. The original blew my mind, although you could tell it was poor effects it still shocked and frightened me. I havent seen the remake yet but from what evrybody is saying it is one i will enjoy.
I really Enjoyed this movie. I was excited to see Timothy Olyphant because I am a huge, HUGE fan. Anyway, There were a few hole and continuity issues. The calm that came over the crazies prior to them becoming crazy was eerily cool....but it did happen consistently. Regardless, I was expecting much less, and received some psychotic goodness ( it was a nice advertising touch to play Mad World for some the trailers....creepy)
Best movie of 2010 so far. I was not dissapointed. I was a klittle disturbed with the scene where the man locks his wife and son in a closet and sets the house on fire, but I guess thats what makes a good horror movie.
This was a pretty good movie. I do agree that there were plot holes and whatever, but if you have a good imagination, that wouldnt matter much. I definitely will be purchasing this on DVD once it drops.
I thought this movie was good. Not great, but I didn't walk away disappointed. The pitchfork scene was pretty awesome.
Awesome!!!! Unfortunately, I doubt that I'll be able to watch this in theatre's or online so I'll most likely buy it when it comes out on DVD.
If I don't like I'll just give it to my sister, hahahahaha.
I just watched this the previews made it look a lot cooler then it was in my opinion. I fell asleep watching it more then once If it wasn't for the screaming I'd have probably not woke up It was too predictable and way too easily figured out. Bore Fest
I had just gone to see Shutter Island a couple days before seeing this one and I was just looking for a movie that delivered a decent scare free of pretentious attempts at reaching for some deeper meaning. The Crazies delivered, sure it has plot holes and the main characters should have contracted the virus a hundred times before the end of the film, but it kept me enthralled all the way through. The "crazies" themselves are scarier than your average rage infected "zombie" because there is a method to their madness and they are capable of making intuitive leaps. This makes them far more dangerous and terrifying than some thoughtless creature. Good action, tense moments, believable acting, this is one of the better horror movies I've seen in a while....sadly that isn't saying much.
The trailer was more scary than the movie itself. It was funny but also so messed up at the end. It was just and okay movie.
i was really disappointed in this movie. i went last night, and actually fell asleep. one thing that got me was that close to the end at the truck stop, the crazies were actually working "together" to take people out. it just didnt make sense. it was just so slow, seemed to drag on and on and i couldnt wait for it to be over so i could go home. dont waste your money going to see this one.
OKay, so I just got back from AMC and I definitely agree with this review. There were some scenes in the film that really got me, such as the pitchfork scene from the trailer, the scene from one of the pictures above (the one with the carzy women standing behind Radha Mitchell), and the final confrontation with the crazies at the end.
When it comes to the crazies, I do agree that I wish they were a little more insane 'cause many times during the film, the audience and myself were laughing at them rather than feeling creeped out. That being said, I'm glad that the crazies were simply human; I man, for all we know, this disease could have started mutating them into these demon-like creatures (which could have been a cool twist if they approached it correctly) but I think you get what I mean. There were characters that had small roles in the beginning who we later feared.
Acting: All of the main cast was solid. I loved Radha Mitchell in "Silent Hill" and "Rogue", so I was excited to see her in this film. Timothy Olyphant was good and I'm becoming a fan of Joe Anderson. It's funny whenever I see him in a horror fim 'cause I first saw him in Across the Universe, but he also had one of the best scenes in The Ruins too IMO. And I do agree that I wish Danielle Panabaker had done more, given what happens to her is still pretty gruesome. I mean, basically, we meet her for one scene in the beginning, we see her again in the pitchfork scene and then from there on, she does nothing; she's just there to carry the story.
Nevertheless, I didn't get bored with this film and there were a few moments that made me cringe, so I'm happy with this. IMO, this is the best horror film of 2010 so far; Nightmare may top that but I'll definitely pick this film up on DVD.
Surprisingly great action. I was overall very pleased and shocked at how good this was. One of the very first remakes that exceeded all expectations.
This is one solid, action laced, intense, entertaining thrill ride of a remake done right for once! Everything about this is great from the acting, filming, shocks, mystery, gore, pace and story that I didn't want it to end, a sign of a terrific thriller in my books. There were a few solid jump scares here and there but this is more of an apocalyptic/thriller than a full out horror movie to me but the gripping action and the gnarly situation make up for that because to me these type of virus, apocalypse films are more terrifying than some guy in a mask chasing bimbos around. This was like a mixture of Carriers, 28 Weeks Later, Resident Evil, Phantoms ect. so if you like any of those films you'll love this wild and crazy ride. I can't find any flaws about this movie other than the fact that it's not the most original movie around but it's a remake so who care because I'd take a good remake any day than some watered down crap! Overall I loved it and didn't want it to end and wouldn't mind a sequel and this might even be the best thriller or horror movie I guess we'll see this year but hopefully not. Highly recommended but then again I have a soft spot for these type of movies. More of a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
*MILD SPOILER*
Good review but I was personally bored to tears for most of the movie. This one could have waited for DVD/Blu-Ray IMHO. I personally feel there needed to be interaction with the military and the rednecks still having thought and reason after the infection towards the end was a bit of a letdown to me.
It's a good review and I haven't seen it yet (I'm going to see it with a friend on Sunday) but I've felt the same way that you feel Johnny; that it might be good but not perfect. I can't wait 'cause this film really does look intense.