DVD: The Crazies (15)

In this remake of George A Romero's 1973 film of the same title, a small American town becomes the location for horrific acts of violence after a mysterious plane crash results in the contamination of the community's water supply.

As the military move in to deal with the problem in a rather heavy-handed manner, the town's sheriff (Timothy Olyphant) and his pregnant wife must try to escape to safety. Olyphant is impressive in the lead role and the film is well shot, but there is little else special. The characters and the plot lack subtlety, something which could have been compensated for by being truly frightening, yet sadly it fails on this count, too.