It’s a dangerous world out there. It’s bad enough we’re being stalked by vampires, werewolves, ghouls, demons and flesh eating zombies. As if all that isn’t enough, how about we start tinkering with germs and viruses, why don’t we make some microscopic super weapons? What’s the worst that could happen?

Well, thanks to George A Romero you get that answer in two forms, or rather in two different decades.

I love the original The Crazies, because it shows early on that Romero saw the need to tell an anti zombie movie. It’s a raw independent film filled with scares and the human drama that only Romero seems to get in the horror genre. It’s a fantastic time capsule or reflection on what might happen if a small town in the early 70s had an outbreak of chemically engineered illness and madness.

Now, three decades later, we see a remake. Ugh. I know, I know, dear Hollywood, stop remaking classic flix that don’t remakes. Well, the original The Crazies was awesome for its own reasons, but due to the budget it had, and the advances in filmmaking technology today, I’m glad to say I feel this is a remake works. A solid vision of what if… but for this day and age.
Both of the films work for different reasons. but one thing they both have in common is smart writing, smart concept, and good characters.
If you haven’t seen the original go put it on your netflix right now! Then go see the remake. They compliment each other nicely.