When someone, anyone, adapts a George A. Romero film, there is usually a deep amount of worry and concern because remaking something that a master has already done effortlessly and perfectly is never an easy task. While screenwriters Scott Kosar (The Machinist) and Ray Wright (Pulse) take this on with The Crazies, they make something gorier and a little more sadistic that Romero’s 1973 version with a more modern feel but lacking that special paranoia and psychosis of the original. While Breck Eisner (Sahara) is directing, there is a lot to love about 2010’s The Crazies, but to compare it to the original Romero does it a complete disservice; imagining this as its own thing of entirely of chaotic proportions and separating it from its predecessor makes it a much more enjoyable experience.
L-R: Timothy Olyphant as David and Radha Mitchell as Judy in THE CRAZIES. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate. © 2010 Overture Films, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The film focuses on a plane crash that releases a virus in a small farming town. Unaware of what has happened at first, the townspeople have started to essentially desire going on a killing spree, the first action taken being when Rory (Mike Hickman) enters a baseball field during a game day with a loaded shotgun. David (Timothy Olyphant), the sheriff, is at the game and tries to talk sense into Rory thinking he’s just drunk, but when Rory points the shotgun at him, David has no choice but to shoot and kill David, kicking off the string of events that put David; his pregnant wife, Judy (Radha Mitchell); and David’s deputy, Russell (Joe Anderson); at the head of trying and figure out what happened and how to survive the new landscape. Things don’t quite add up. The town gets locked in quarantine, but does not get a state of emergency declared, and the cure that is proposed is certainly questionable, to say the least.
THE CRAZIES 4K UHD Lionsgate Limited outside packshot. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate Limited.
Lionsgate has released 2010’s The Crazies on 4K for the first time and in a steelbook that is exclusive to the United States through Lionsgate Limited. First and foremost, we’re going to discuss the steelbook itself. Like all of Lionsgate Limited’s releases thus far, it comes with a translucent slipcover that has its own art which blends into the steelbook art, but unlike the Tarantino steelbooks, the Lionsgate Limited marker in the top right corner is much less noticeable on this steelbook than it is on other releases to the point where it’s almost invisible; you have to really look for it to notice it, which is a nice touch as the branding felt a little too distracting on the art originally. The overall steelbook also using new art is refreshing instead of going with something recycled.
THE CRAZIES 4K UHD Lionsgate Limited inside packshot. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate Limited.
The transfer here is exceptional; it’s a truly stunning transfer with vibrant and bold colors, deep blacks, and it’s not scrubbed clean, making the film feel newer while keeping the grit and dirtiness of the 2010s and the vibe of the movie and its intentionally aged appearance intact. If you’re a fan of the movie, or if it’s your first time visiting this take on the Romero classic, this transfer is simply sublime and will please even the most skeptic of 4K collectors and fans.
L-R: Timothy Olyphant as David and Radha Mitchell as Judy in THE CRAZIES. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate. © 2010 Overture Films, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
In terms of bonus content, there are a ton of legacy features included on The Crazies 4K debut as well as five brand new features which are limited to the Lionsgate Limited steelbook. Included are a brand-new commentary with the director, two featurettes, a storyboard feature, and an alternate ending. Personally, alternative endings/openings and drastically different scenes always peak my interest the most because there is a *potential* reason why it got left out or changed, and seeing what could’ve been is always something interesting. While I won’t spoil the alternative ending, Eisner’s brief explanation and the actual alternative ending is something worth watching as is re-watching the film with that ending in mind. Overall, between the impeccable transfer, the slew of new and legacy features, a beautiful steelbook, and a fun movie, The Crazies (2010) is a worthy purchase for any horror collector.
The Crazies Lionsgate Limited Special Features:
- New nightmarish SteelBook® art by Attila Szarka
- 2025 Audio Commentary with Director Breck Eisner
- Establishing Shot with Breck Eisner
- Sculpting the Horror of The Crazies
- Alternate Ending
- Storyboard to Screen: Car Wash
The Crazies Legacy Special Features:
- 2010 Audio Commentary with Director Breck Eisner
- Behind the Scenes with Breck Eisner
- Paranormal Pandemics
- The George A. Romero Template
- Makeup Mastermind: Rob Hall in Action
- Episodes 1 & 2 of The Crazies Motion Comic
- Visual Effects in Motion
- Behind-the-Scenes Photo Gallery
- Teaser Trailer
- Theatrical Trailers
- The Crazies Motion Comic Trailer
Available on 4K UHD Blu-ray steelbook limited edition May 13th, 2025.
For more information, head to the official Lionsgate Limited The Crazies webpage.
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Categories: Home Release, Recommendation
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