The Crazies

Though mildly bloody, George A Romero’s original film version of The Crazies was neither scary nor, to be frank, really all that good. Romero himself executive produces this remake which is a big step up from the original, though without ever breaking free from the standard horror conventions. However, this is still an entertaining film which makes the correct decision to put its foot on the accelerator as soon as possible and let the film whizz by before any plot holes can even begin to be addressed. Timothy Olyphant is the Sheriff of a small Iowa town who suddenly finds a number of its inhabitants going loco. Before long shadowy governments forces and gas masked soldiers join the circus and Olyphant finds himself battling both the eponymous characters and the men in green. Breck Eisner directs with a dab hand, but does over rely on the soundtrack to create a number of the scares. However, he does realise that less is more in some of the more violent scenes and they are all the more effective for it. In respect of that, a scene where Olyphant and others are attacked in a car wash is stunningly executed as the unseen threat comes, and then continues to come, from out of view. On the downside, the ending is obvious and too many of the characters make the standard stupid horror movie decisions. The one character that raises his head above the parapet though is Olyphant’s deputy, played by Joe Anderson. Not a household name, but with a decent American accent and a decent character arc, Anderson is the one to watch in the film. So hit and miss overall, but Eisner’s does also give us the greatest non-CGI car roll since Casino Royale. Kudos Brett!

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
Nothing new here, but entertaining nonetheless. Rating: 7/10.