David AllsoppThe Crazies (2010)
February 14th 2011 02:55
Directed by Breck Eisner.
Normally I’m not a horror film kind of guy. Its not that I hate horror films, just that a lot of the time the horror films I come across seem to be all about the gore and I don’t really get anything out of them, let alone see the appeal in watching them. What I care about is the characters and the story, and I feel the best horror films are the ones that don’t focus on the scares but really make you care about the characters - the people in a situation, not a situation with people in it. Thankfully, sometimes a horror film will come along with a great premise, great cast and a story that delivers that something extra. The Crazies is such a film.
The residents of Ogden Marsh are being infected by a mysterious virus that is driving them crazy. The local Sheriff (Tim Olyphant), his wife the town Doctor (Radha Mitchell), and his Deputy (Joe Anderson), must find a way to fight back against their diseased and deranged neighbours in order to make their way to safety as the town is swiftly quarantined by the authorities.
I haven’t seen the George A Romero original version of The Crazies from 1973 so I cannot provide a comparison, but if anything I think this work to my advantage in enjoying this version of the story. The cinematography uses the location to great effect, giving the town of Ogden Marsh a sense of reality whilst still having an edge that complements the story. Top-shelf performances from Olyphant and Mitchell hold the film together nicely - you can believe in the reality of their relationship, and through investing in them emotionally you can believe the reality of their situation. Joe Anderson gives a splendid supporting performance, regularly hitting his meaty scenes for six.
Although this film went straight to DVD in Australia that isn’t a reflection of the quality of the film, and I feel this is something worth discovering. Don’t just think of it as a Horror Film, but a Good Film.
Three and a half remade bananas out of five.
Normally I’m not a horror film kind of guy. Its not that I hate horror films, just that a lot of the time the horror films I come across seem to be all about the gore and I don’t really get anything out of them, let alone see the appeal in watching them. What I care about is the characters and the story, and I feel the best horror films are the ones that don’t focus on the scares but really make you care about the characters - the people in a situation, not a situation with people in it. Thankfully, sometimes a horror film will come along with a great premise, great cast and a story that delivers that something extra. The Crazies is such a film.
The residents of Ogden Marsh are being infected by a mysterious virus that is driving them crazy. The local Sheriff (Tim Olyphant), his wife the town Doctor (Radha Mitchell), and his Deputy (Joe Anderson), must find a way to fight back against their diseased and deranged neighbours in order to make their way to safety as the town is swiftly quarantined by the authorities.
I haven’t seen the George A Romero original version of The Crazies from 1973 so I cannot provide a comparison, but if anything I think this work to my advantage in enjoying this version of the story. The cinematography uses the location to great effect, giving the town of Ogden Marsh a sense of reality whilst still having an edge that complements the story. Top-shelf performances from Olyphant and Mitchell hold the film together nicely - you can believe in the reality of their relationship, and through investing in them emotionally you can believe the reality of their situation. Joe Anderson gives a splendid supporting performance, regularly hitting his meaty scenes for six.
Although this film went straight to DVD in Australia that isn’t a reflection of the quality of the film, and I feel this is something worth discovering. Don’t just think of it as a Horror Film, but a Good Film.
Three and a half remade bananas out of five.
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