Film Review
The Crazies
Paul Sawchuk
Issue date: 3/16/10 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Indeed, given the somewhat paternal nature of the relationship between the military and "the crazies" it creates an apt metaphor: "the crazies" are indeed the perfect representation for the military machine, at least in the eyes of the filmmakers.
This is scary. Even though they kill people at "random" there is usually a sick self-justification for what they are doing, and this does not only apply to "the crazies". It is this kind of narrative, along with the conventional hero's journey at play, that drives The Crazies beyond the traditional zombie film.
The Crazies is that rare genre film that allows itself to use a traditional form to tell a traditional story in a traditional way but still be somewhat relevant. It has its cheap scares, its faux-scary music and tone, but it's not too over the top. It's violent without being too gory and never forgets that it's a social commentary horror; it can't lose its message to its aesthetics. It's the afterthought that stays with you, mulling over in your head to make you realize, "something like this isn't entirely implausible".
- Paul Sawchuk
This is scary. Even though they kill people at "random" there is usually a sick self-justification for what they are doing, and this does not only apply to "the crazies". It is this kind of narrative, along with the conventional hero's journey at play, that drives The Crazies beyond the traditional zombie film.
The Crazies is that rare genre film that allows itself to use a traditional form to tell a traditional story in a traditional way but still be somewhat relevant. It has its cheap scares, its faux-scary music and tone, but it's not too over the top. It's violent without being too gory and never forgets that it's a social commentary horror; it can't lose its message to its aesthetics. It's the afterthought that stays with you, mulling over in your head to make you realize, "something like this isn't entirely implausible".
- Paul Sawchuk
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