Iffy for 16+
Gory, scary horror remake with anti-military message.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that THE CRAZIES is a violent, somewhat cynical remake of a 1973 film by famed horror director George A. Romero. The tense movie is filled with strong language, disturbing images, i.e. grisly piles of mutilated and burned corpses, as well as blood, jump-scares, and other frightening moments. But despite this, and the over-reliance on genre clichés, the movie contains some interesting ideas and should spark some good conversation between parents and older teens about the role of the military in society and the human instinct for survival.
- Families can talk about the violence in the film. Did the movie's high body count have a shocking or a numbing effect on you? Why or why not?
- Which are worse, the "crazies" or the military men? Why? What message about the military do you think this movie sends? What role does the military play in our lives, past and present?
- In the movie, there's no way to tell when someone first comes down with the virus. How far would you trust a friend or a family member in this situation? Talk about humanity's instinct to survive.
- In the early scenes, Becca tells an outright lie to her boss so she can meet her boyfriend. Do you still sympathize with her after this? Why? Is it ever OK to lie?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie carries over the Vietnam-era social commentary from George A. Romero's 1973 original, which is that the military is just as bad as -- if not worse than -- the maniacal, homicidal "crazies." Wherever the heroes go, they must look out for both kinds of attackers. There are no suggestions for improving this situation. It could be argued that the heroes fighting for their lives and exhibiting compassion and love in the face of true horror is an admirable quality, but the overall theme of the movie trumps their efforts.
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Role models: After a military experiment spreads a deadly virus around a small Iowa town, sheriff David Dutton, his wife Judy, the town doctor, and deputy Russell Clank show bravery and selflessness in the face of horror. They remain devoted to their duties as long as they can, and brave dangerous situations to rescue one another. When the time comes to run, they try to help as many other people as they can. Their optimism eventually runs low, but for the most part, they keep their chins up and work to overcome an impossible situation.
What to watch for
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Violence: Horror imagery and violence abounds, though the most disturbing imagery comes in the piles upon piles of grisly, burned or otherwise mutilated corpses. One of the scariest sequences occurs in a military tent as men in hazard suits run weird medical tests and forcibly separate loved ones (including a mother from her child). Huge amount of gun violence, including shootings, killings, and threats. Also head-whacking with a blunt instrument, an attack with a bonesaw, stabbing with a pitchfork, a knife through a hand, an attacker set on fire, and bodies burned with a flamethrower.
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Sex: No onscreen sex. The action focuses mainly on a married couple. The wife is pregnant and they occasionally kiss, hold hands, and touch each other in comfortable ways. A teenage girl has a secret boyfriend, but we only see them together in one scene, where they hug.
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Language: There are many instances of both "s--t" and "f--k" with some uses of "Jesus Christ" and "Goddamn" as exclamations.
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Consumerism: The "Valvoline" logo is prevalent in one shot.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: One character is described as a drunk, but we never see him or anyone else drinking. No drugs or smoking.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
THE CRAZIES IS CRAZY MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!! by R3d_Bravo
I HELLA LIKE THIS MOVIE BUT MY WIFE DISAPPROVED BECAUSE SHE DIDNT LIKE ALL THE GORE. THE ACTING WAS EXCELLENT, THE STORY WAS GREAT I THINK. IT MADE ME REALIZE HOW THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT HESITATE TO GET RID OF A WHOLE TOWN IF SOMETHING HAPPEND TO IT. I SAY GO SEE IT! IT WAS WORTH MY MONEY.
1
BOOO by nwahsd
This movie was terrible I felt like i was watching a grown up more technologically advanced version of cabin fever 2. too many near death experiences, it made the entire movie way too predictable and further more it lost all "scary: it could have had and kinda ruined the action too becuase you knew how they would win every time
5
Could happen in real Life... Maybe... by The Movie Guru5
Not so much the zombie part, but how the government handles the situation. It's actually kind of scary, because they really thought out a lot of the scene scenarios to give it a 'real as a zombie can get' feel. Characters aren't scary movie dumb and are actually likable... how's that for a change... Worth the money.
3
TITLE MADE ME THINK IT WOULD BE DIFFERENT by keatsgirl
MAYBE I WOULD GIVE THIS A GO IF THERE HAD BEEN MORE "CRAZY" CHARACTERS.AT LEAST YOU COULD UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING HAPPENING.NOT WORTH BIG THEATER PRICE. ACTORS WERE OK. NOBODY REALLY STOOD OUT TO ME,EXCEPT THE ONE WHO WAS LOSING IT.DON'T WANT TO SPOIL!
2
The Crazies by heartwithsteel
This by far did not meet my expectation of a good movie, more or less it took a spin of the countless movies I have seen in relations to Dawn of the Dead and so forth. The fact that the Government had it hands in creating the problem is tippicle and I really wish there was some way I could get my money back. I left before the movie was over because there was just to many stupid scenes in the movie. I am starting to see a pattern here that some movies are starting to make and that is the idiotic way they are put together in dialog. There is no plot and no message especially to just your average horror film watcher, if you can call this movie horror at all. Well that is my take on it.
5
A Great Time For All by Acatwinks1013
Ever since I saw the previews I new that this movie would be good. There are so many great parts that keep you wondering what will happen next. The Sheriff and his deputy really keep the movie going with their great acting. The ending is kind of a suprise to some, but is very logical. Very good plot and this could actually happen some day soon to a town, who knows it might just be yours.
1
Five Word Review by RTown311
predictable stupid confusing joke BAD
4
It was weird oh. my goodness. by Ms Queendiva
From beginning to end they are we`re really crazy. That whole town lost their minds, I hope that never happens for real. LOL
3
The Crazies by lonebrave_movie_man
It was ok if ya like b rated sick flicks!!
3
so so by deno
After seeing 28 days later, 28 weeks later, or other vampire movies, this movie did not do it for me. It got fast then slow then fast then slow. Annoying. So so movie. Go if you have time to waste.