At first, “The Crazies” seems like any other contaminant-on-the-loose film. But if you sit down to watch it, you will be pleasantly surprised. I don't consider myself someone who is easily scared by movies, but halfway through the film, I was pushing my chair back as far as it could recline with my hands over my eyes.
The plot is pretty basic. Something toxic is spreading around a small town in Iowa, and it is slowly turning everyone crazy.
Sheriff David Dutton (played by Timothy Olyphant) and his deputy Russell Clank (Joe Anderson) attempt to escape the town along with the sheriff’s wife and her assistant.
It is the acting in this film that really makes it an exceptional horror movie instead of a typical thriller. The characters, especially the sheriff and deputy, were lovable and the audience could easily relate to them.
There was a certain intelligence that was portrayed in the characters, which made the situation even more realistic.
Timing played a key role in this film, setting up not only the terrifying, suspenseful scenes, but some slightly humorous scenes as well. Don’t get me wrong, this movie is 98 percent scary, but there were a few short moments that were chuckle-worthy. For instance, sometimes the music would contrast with a currently dreary situation, which I always find silly. Also, thanks to the perfect timing of the film, the movie had great pacing and I never felt like it lingered too long.
Many of the scenes were filled with tension and horror, but one stuck out as the scariest of them all: the car wash scene. Car washes already make me uneasy, but thanks to “The Crazies,” I might just stick to washing my car by hand.
So in summary, I enjoyed watching this movie. I like it even more than “Shutter Island.” Definitely watch this movie, unless you scare easily or have a car wash phobia.
Final Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
The review was made possible by The Movies at Meadville. Check them out at www.themoviesat.com
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