The Crazies Review

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.

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.

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.

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.

Language: There are many instances of both "s--t" and "f--k" with some uses of "Jesus Christ" and "Goddamn" as exclamations.

Consumerism: The "Valvoline" logo is prevalent in one shot.

Drinking, drugs and smoking: One character is described as a drunk, but we never see him or anyone else drinking. No drugs or smoking.