Judging from the trailer for Brent Eisner’s “The Crazies,” many people would have entered the theater expecting your basic, run-of-the-mill zombie flick. However, the film (a remake of an obscure 1972 George A. Romero flick of the same name) portrays a tale of government conspiracy and biochemical technology gone wrong that is terrifying in its plausibility.

“The Crazies” takes place in Ogden Marsh, Iowa, self-proclaimed “friendliest place on earth.” The wholesome, bucolic existence portrayed in the town at the beginning of the film is reminiscent to rural Texas towns like Fredericksburg and Kerrville (which, having visited these places myself, added to eeriness). However, the simple lives of the citizens of Ogden Marsh fall into chaos after a plane carrying deadly chemical cargo crashes into a nearby creek and taints the town’s water supply.

The film centers on Sheriff David Dutton (Timothy Oliphant), his wife Judy (Radha Mitchell), a doctor, and their struggle to survive as, one by one, their friends and fellow townspeople begin to undergo a terrifying transformation.

The “infected” individuals first undergo a semi-catatonic state, remaining sentient but largely unresponsive. As the affliction progresses, they become increasingly violent and agitated until they are finally overcome with a slavering rage.

The resulting creatures are, in, my opinion, far scarier than traditional zombies because they retain a degree of self-awareness.

The Duttons find themselves fighting not only the people of their town, but an arguably more dangerous enemy: the U. S. military. We learn that the capsized plane has been carrying a deadly force that the government will stop at nothing to contain, and Ogden Marsh becomes a prison, all of its citizens subject to extermination.

Far from being a conventional tale of the undead, “The Crazies” addresses issues of biochemical warfare, military brutality, and government-sanctioned genocide. That is not to say that it is lacking in classic horror-flick gore. Even as a seasoned fan of the horror genre, several scenes had me squirming in my seat.

As far as the acting is concerned, Oliphant and Mitchell both offer solid performances. Though by no means ground-breaking or Oscar-worthy, the couple draw empathy from the viewer, making the brutal final scene of the film that much more effective.