I normally shy away from other reviews when it comes time to write my own. It's definitely not because I think I may be tempted to lift some of their material. It's because I know that I will inevitably feel obliged to critique their review instead of talking about the movie itself. That's what happened with "The Crazies". I just finished reading the review in the Register and was reminded of exactly why I self-imposed that rule in the first place.
"The Crazies" is a remake of a 1973 George Romero film by the same name that I don't even remember. It's about a small town in Iowa named Ogden Marsh (fictional) which prides itself as "the friendliest place on earth". However, when a mysterious toxin transforms the peaceful townfolks into crazed maniacs, all bets are off. Sheriff David Dutton (Timothy Olyphant) is determined to save the last few remaining survivors, including his pregnant wife, Judy (Radha Mitchell) while the government orders a lethal quarantine.
The problem I had with the Register's take on the movie was all really did was give a rundown of "The Crazies". They didn't offer much insight into it at all. That was very disappointing given the fact that much of the movie was filmed right here in Iowa. I understand that they were using a review of the wire that Roger Ebert wrote, but they should have made an exception in this case. A little side article on the town of Lenox (where it was filmed) wasn't enough for me.
Just the fact that it was done here in Iowa was enough to interest me. But it wasn't just that fact that did it. Afterall, "The Bridges of Madison County" was done here also and I could care less about that. Most Hollywood folks like making those farm-y, down-home and/or romantic sappy movies here in the homeland. The stereotypical joints. "The Crazies" is the first horror film to have some Iowa roots. It was good to see that genre coming out of here for a change of pace.
I particularly like the type of zombie film that this was. It was what I consider to be a "transition zombie flick". Meaning that it doesn't go the standard route of showing how a group of people are trying to survive in a world of complete chaos. It gives us the beginning of what you can tell will eventually lead to such a disastrous world. Putting it in that small-town setting provides a microcosm of what civilization will eventually become.
The reason why the whole transitional look works is it presents a different type of zombies. The disease that turns people crazy hasn't yet gotten to the point where they are the mindless creatures we are used to seeing in other zombie films. In fact, there's one scene in particular where the infected people are talking somewhat coherently. Much of this movie deals with these folks as they are still in the process of turning completely rabid. The transformation is a deadly one where they are just as dangerous partially infected as when they are 100% crazed.
"The Crazies" provides a very balanced mix of genuine chills and gore. It's not your run-of-the-mill zombie film where they go over the top with the blood and try to make something jump out at every turn. Director Breck Eisner makes purposeful use of every confrontational moment whether it deals with the crazies or the military involvement. What's key with that is there no overacting that you normally find in these type of films.
If I were to have one knock on this flick it would be that they tried too hard to remind us of the whole Iowa connection. Like having the sheriff wear a t-shirt with the town's name on it while he's doing housework. No, Ogden Marsh, IA isn't a real town, but Ogden, IA is. Or a recording over a loudspeaker at the gas station talking about the Iowa Hawkeyes. Or the several references to Cedar Rapids. Or the "I heart Iowa" shirts in the gas station. We get the point that it takes place in Iowa already. I live here and even I thought it was doing a bit much.
I have no clue how this would hold up against the original since I've never seen that 1973 version. Never even heard of it until now. However, "The Crazies" stands alone very well against the modern films of the same genre. Olyphant has once again stepped up in another role to move him further up on my list of must-see actors. His supporting cast of virtually unknowns contribute perfectly to make this one of the better thriller/horror films I have seen in a while.
My rating: A -
