MPAA Rating: R/ Genre: Science-Fiction Horror/ Stars: Timothy Olyphant, Radha Mitchell, Joe Anderson, Danielle Panabaker, Christie Lynn Smith, Brett Rickaby, Preston Bailey, John Aylward, Joe Reegan, Glenn Morshower, Larry Cedar, Gregory Sporleder, Mike Hickman, Lisa K. Wyatt, Justin Welborn, Chet Grissom, Tahmus Rounds, Brett Wagner, Alex Van, Frank Hoyt Taylor, Justin Miles, Marian Green, E. Roger Mitchell/ Runtime: 101 minutes
I think it is safe to say that to some groups of people out there, the film I am reviewing today would best be described as the cinematic equivalent of a situation known as a “SHTF” situation. Charming acronym aside, this is a situation that is best exemplified by the fact that something has gone horrifically awry. As a result, society is collapsing, there aren’t that many people who can be trusted, danger is practically everywhere you look, weapons, ammo, and water are now valuable, and only those individuals in possession of either sheer dumb luck or are survivalist in nature have the best odds at staying alive. With that being said, I guess it should come as no surprise to learn that this has become a distinct sub-genre in moviemaking with such movies as 28 Days Later, I Am Legend, and even 2012 to some extent being amongst the entries that are captivating moviegoers. It is this concept which is also at the heart of the 2010 take on The Crazies. Right off the bat I guess I should let you know that this film is a reimagining of a film of the same name helmed by George A. Romero in 1973 and the original is perhaps, with the exception of Creepshow in 1982, one of his most known movies that doesn’t have the words “of the Dead” anywhere in the title. Unlike most remakes however, this one is potent and actually fun to a fair extent despite being highly predictable. Indeed this is one film which manages to be that rare kind of film in that it is a wonderful update on an iconic tale, but also that is just a terrific watch to be had on its own merits pure and simple.
The plot is as follows: The Crazies takes us to a tiny little community in the state of Iowa by the name of Ogden Marsh which is one of the finest examples of a cozy and tight-knit small town that one could ever hope to find. Of course in small towns such as these, the arrival of spring to them means baseball up at the high school, and suffice it to say that everyone has become overwhelmed with 9-inning fever. Suffice it to say then that when our film opens everything is going as it normally should or at least that seems to be the case until a game is terrifying disrupted by a man who stumbles into the outfield carrying a loaded shotgun. A situation that soon brings the town Sheriff, a man by the name of David Dutton, but tragically trying to reason with the man is impossible especially when he raises his weapon thus leaving our intrepid hero no choice, but to shoot him first. Suffice it to say that as a result the town is in a state of shock since this incident has managed to spear through the tranquility that they try so hard to maintain and landed dead on target. Unfortunately the citizens of Ogden Marsh have no way of knowing this, but more is just around the corner. A more that starts seeping in when, despite initial belief that the man was intoxicated, the toxicology report comes back to the contrary and it isn’t long before more and more of the good and decent townsfolk start acting in a manner similar to the first victim if you will. Thus it isn’t long before the town has fallen into a complete state of chaos which is soon piled on exponentially by the unexpected arrival of a military unit that has been sent with the directive to not only quarantine the community, but to eliminate anyone who tries to resist. Thus it is up to David, his wife and town doctor Judy, and David’s trusted deputy Russell to not only figure out just what is going on, but engage in a conflict against a hostile military unit, a town gone completely mad, and the unseen nemesis that has the power to change them into just what it is that virtually of their friends and neighbors have already turned into.
Now when a reviewer like myself chooses to deliver an analysis on a film like this one, there is a pair of distinct routes of analysis that are worth going into to show just how well this film manages to work for its target audience. The first, and most crucial, is the question of just how well put-together and engaging is this film based entirely off what it chooses to bring to the table. The second, and a tad bit less critical though still just as relevant, is how respectful to the version that came before is this one. Now in regards to the answer to the first question, it pleases me to tell you that this film is actually pretty good. Indeed forget that this is a reimagining of a cult classic that came out a while ago, and please look past the fact that it is very dependent on clichés from beginning to end. I ask this because this is a film that despite those stumbling blocks still works due to having the determination to entertain those who watch it no matter what. As such we get a film is both slick and quite engaging in such decent amounts that even the clichés and predictability cannot sink it. Indeed film helmer Breck Eisner does a terrific job at balancing out both the smooth entertainment value of the film as well as its predictable narrative quite well. Indeed his style of directing is both quite stylish yet riveting, the action beats quite well built, and the case that he has assembled all provide quite engaging performances. Suffice it to say then that with these positives in play, the film is most assuredly able to make up for the complete void of impact on either a thematic or emotional level.
Now this take on The Crazies may work well when viewed plain and simply to be entertained since the slick style and well-helmed moments of action and suspense will surely keep you on the edge of your seat, but unlike the version of this narrative as helmed by Romero, there isn’t really anything under all of that to further ratchet up the intensity of the film. This is because Romero’s take on the property, much in the same vein as his “Dead” movies, is layered with delightful social commentary whilst Eisner chose to concentrate more on the people at ground zero of the event. It is perhaps intriguing to note then that the way Eisner chose to come at this material is actually a little bit more engaging for the typical moviegoer since it gives them the chance to feel what the characters feel and see what they see thus making the film seem both more personal and perilous in equal measure. Yet despite trading away the cutting satire found in its predecessor, both takes on this story manage to show that either approach, when done properly, can be equally as potent with an audience. Indeed this take on the story doesn’t feel lacking because of the absence of Romero’s wry and slyly inserted commentary, but that is also because this take is more action-oriented and not to mention a riveting look at the potent and powerful violence that can come with a world gone seriously topsy-turvy awry. To that end, one of the biggest positives that this movie has going for it would have to be its pace. Indeed this film is truly a speedy sit, and unlike a lot of other films in this genre, it hits the ground running and never looks back. Indeed this is a film which only requires a few minutes to set up both its locale and cast of characters before igniting the spark that will impact the rest of the film and set the mood and tone for everything that comes after. Finally it should also be noted that this take on The Crazies actually can say it is in possession of some terrific acting work that is on a level rarely seen in these types of films, but with special regard to the lead role as played by Timothy Olyphant. Indeed Olyphant really manages to vanish into the part and do a wonderful job at portraying David with both a vibe of being in charge, but then later on a sense of horror, panic, despair, and eventual acceptance at just how much his world has been thrown for a serious curve-ball. No it may not be Oscar-caliber, but in a film like this one it truly is fantastic work and most assuredly worthy of praise.
All in all it is safe to say that the 2010 take on the story known as The Crazies really is a distinct and rare kind of film. By that I mean this is a remake that, against all odds, actually manages to work on the level that it is supposed to as well as a film that, despite being void of any novelty whatsoever, is still a film that is able to give movie goers a truly riveting and engaging watch. Indeed it’s terrifically helmed, quite clever, easy to sit through, very-well acted, and perhaps the most crucial ingredient of all for this particular type of film, it is just a pure thrill to sit and watch. Yes this version as helmed by Eisner may be void the social analysis and potent tone that the original as helmed by George A. Romero had in droves, but it still manages to hold up quite well thanks to better work in the action and effects departments and much smoother work particularly in its conclusion. Thus if you are one of those who is completely wiped out or who has been driven to the point of madness with all of these remakes of a lesser caliber, then you should definitely give this one a watch. You just might go crazy for it. On a scale of 1-5 I give The Crazies “2010” a solid 3 out of 5.
