When it comes to seeing films today, whenever the word "remake" comes up, usually a slew of questions fly through my head. "Who is directing this one?" or "Is it the same script?" and every now and then, "Are they really remaking a movie that was so bad the first time?" Thankfully, when I first saw the trailer for The Crazies, none of those said thoughts in popped up in my head. Yes, despite it being a remake of a George Romero film, I did not feel any threat about a different director putting his own spin on it. The trailer intrigued me, and I went in with no expectations.

            The Crazies is a film about a small and quiet town in Iowa. It is just another normal day there until some of the townsfolk start acting well... crazy. A strange toxin has polluted the town's water supply and all of the citizens could be infected. With the government trying to quarantine the entire population, it is up to Sheriff David Dutton (Timothy Olyphant) and his Deputy Russell Clank (Joe Anderson) to save their loved ones from capture and find a way to escape the insanity.

            So many things about this remake worked. All of the actors were completely believable to the point of making the audience uncomfortable with having to see them on screen going mad. Olyphant, who is truly a very underrated actor, keeps his character throughout the movie without any moments of holding back. It was also refreshing to watch a scary movie that is not completely terrifying. At the end of the movie, you can walk out of the theater, drive home, go to bed, and be get a good night sleep. It is not a haunting film, but the suspense and jolts make it memorable. As with any horror film, it is very easy to go down the hackneyed path of making the story too serious and making the audience roll their eyes and the absurdity. Thankfully director Breck Eisner knew how to balance the scary and the silly. You get scared at the right moments and are chuckling at the proper times. The concept of keeping a horror film in melodrama check is so simple, yet so many other films fall prey to it, but thankfully this one didn't.

            The only true criticism that stands out is the fact that this movie is not completely lovable. Sure, the plot is great with it's under-the-hood government commentary and the scenarios of death scenes were original and creative, the film never hits that point of true adoration. It comes very close to that precipice, but it never takes that final leap of faith. It almost stayed safe with its storyline and safe with its writing by sticking so close to the original. Hopefully Eisner will risk a little more with his next movie and make the jump.

            It is rated R for bloody violence and language. Ladies and gentlemen, there is A LOT of blood and A LOT of violence. As much as your teenage son or daughter may want to see this movie with friends, it is a lot of red to take in for one sitting. The language is prominent but suitable for a movie with this plot. I know anyone would let a few bad words slip out if they were in that situation. It did not feel overwhelming at any point, which could have easily happened if the film was put in another director's hands.

            I would recommend this one to any person who enjoys a good scare, does not mind blood and guts, and loves those "what if..." questions. If you are a diehard Romero fan, keep an open mind if you do go see this. It is not exactly the same but it doesn't veer so far off that you leave the theater fuming. Give it a chance and you just might like it.

            I give The Crazies four out of five glasses of tap water. While breaking the mold of the traditional horror remake, Eisner creates a film that is enjoyable and gripping and makes me wonder if his directorial talent is something in the water he drinks and if so, can I have some?