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"I always do an all-night horror marathon on Saturdays where we start at seven and go until five in the morning." --- Quentin Tarantino ::::::::::: MY CRITERIA FOR DISCUSSION ENCOMPASSES THE HORROR GENRE AND BEYOND, SO I USE THE TERM "NIGHTMARE MOVIES". SPOILERS CAN OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT WARNING. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

28 Weeks Later

October 10th 2007 00:12
28 Weeks Later movie poster
I was disappointed by 28 Days Later (2002). I had looked forward to it immensely, there being a massive billboard ad for the movie across the train tracks of my local station which never failed to hold my attention. I had thoroughly enjoyed Alex Garland’s novel The Beach, (although didn’t think the movie adaptation was anywhere near as powerful), and so eagerly anticipated an original screenplay about an end of the world scenario.

The result was very much a mixed bag. The first half rocked. The second half sucked. I loved experiencing the shock and horror of Jim (Cillian Murphy) as he discovered a deserted London and the Rage virus pandemic which had created a plague of ferocious human carnivores. When the military entered the movie around the half way mark, events took a turn for the silly and rather annoying. And the whole film copped out at the end.
28 Weeks Later eyes of Rage
I spy with my lil' red eye ...
Paradoxically, the dominant presence of the military in the sequel 28 Weeks Later (2007) didn’t bother me as much. But then, perhaps it had something to do with the screenplay itself; streamlined and ultimately more effective. Written by Rowan Joffe, director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, Jesús Olmo and producer Enrique López Lavigne, 28 Weeks Later is an altogether more intense and frantic movie.
28 Weeks Later MacKintosh Muggleton
Young Andy (MacKintosh Muggleton) in his old stomping ground
It may not have the same haunted feel of 28 Days Later's first half, but it doesn’t become bogged down in socio-politics like the original’s second half. Overall, the sequel is a superior movie, and that is a rare breed of horror beast. I can only think of a precious few horror sequels that have bettered the original: Hellraiser II: Hellbound (1988) and Day of the Dead (1985) come to mind. Some would argue Aliens (1986), but I don’t just go there.
28 Weeks Later Rose Byrne
Major Scarlett (Rose Byrne) in a spot of trouble
Spanish director Fresndadillo knows his stuff and technically 28 Weeks Later is superbly handled. At times it felt familiar to the driving, gritty intensity of another Spanish-speaking director’s work; Alfonso Cuarón’s Children of Men. The use of multiple format cinematography (both 16mm and 35mm and digital) enables a sense of grainy, visual urgency, which was used in the original, but not to the same frightening degree or effect.
28 Weeks Later Imogen Poots and MacKintosh Muggleton
Tammy (Imogen Poots) and Andy fear for their lives
28 Weeks Later starts six-and-a-half months after the Rage virus has spread throughout greater London, decimating the population. There appears to be few survivors. The infected have died of starvation. The United States Army (NATO) has managed to restore order, and is re-populating the quarantined city.
28 Weeks Later NATO
When in doubt, exterminate everyone
In a prologue sequence Donald Harris (Robert Carlyle) manages to escape the large country cottage he’s been hiding in with his wife and a few others when a barrage of the infected attack the blacked-out home. Cowardly he abandons his cornered wife and flees for his life pursued by dozens of the Rage-infected.
28 Weeks Later Robert Carlyle
Heeeeeere's Donny!!
A fortnight or so later Don is reunited with his two kids, teenaged Tammy (Imogen Poots) and young Andy (Mackintosh Muggleton) – where do these actors get their names?! – who had been camping abroad. Tearfully he informs them of their mother's (supposed) death. The three meet Major Scarlett (Rose Byrne), who is part of the U.S. military medical team and somewhat anxious the virus has not been wholly contained. Scarlett's fears are realised when a carrier of the Rage virus is brought back from a neglected area of London and subsequently re-ignites the spread of the deadly infection. Utter chaos ensues.
28 Weeks Later headshot
Bullseye!

28 Weeks Later is actually more of a horror movie than the original, and a damn impressive one too. The special effects are excellent, the editing and camerawork top notch, and the performances uniformly strong, especially Catherine MacCormack as Alice Harris and the two Harris kids. Robert Carlyle puts his psychotic Trainspotting character Begbie to shame. However I’m still not convinced of Rose Byrne’s range. Perhaps it’s that perpetual forlorn expression of hers.
28 Weeks Later tunnel pursuit
Three words: Run like Hell!!!
28 Weeks Later is required viewing for all modern horror fans; one of a handful over the past few years that actually delivers the dark goods in spades, although, I must say the scene where the helicopter rotary blades plough through the infected was a little far-fetched. But it looked fantastically FUBAR!

I'm already anticipating 28 Months Later ...

Here's the theatrical trailer:

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews
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13 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by JohnDoe

October 10th 2007 00:25


Film & TV on DVD
Great review Bryn, but thats probably because we are in total agreement on this one...now that you have seen it you can read my critique....

A cracker of an opening 15 minutes wasn't it?

Comment by Anonymous

October 10th 2007 01:21
You know, it would be bad enough being name Imogen! (No offense to any Imogens out there.) But...

Anyway, I'm psyched to see this and that's partly due to your review. Excellent.

-lilith

Comment by Damo

October 10th 2007 01:25
I haven't seen either movie yet but intend to when te wife is out and the kids are in bed.

Some people have compared the first movie to The Omega Man.

So one day I will sit back and absorb the thill ride.

Good review.

Comment by Bryn

October 10th 2007 06:09


Horrorphile
Thanks guys ...
JD, yes, superb opening, and not what I expected would happen (even better)!

lilith, great to see you here! curious to know what you think of it ...

Damo, The first does have an Omega Man feel, but it's scuttled in the second half. Speaking of which, I'm loathe to see Will Smith in I Am Legend.

Comment by Miswanderlust

October 11th 2007 00:47


Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Bryn
I agree with you 100%. This movie...disappointing at best! Great review!
Mis

Comment by KylieW

October 11th 2007 00:56


Celebrity Obsession
Oh, I'll definitely have to see this. I saw 28 Days Later not knowing ANYTHING about it. A friend decided we'd see it. And I really enjoyed it (though thinking back, the 2nd wasn't nearly as good as the first half).

I'm always wary of sequels, but I shall watch this one!


Comment by Bryn

October 11th 2007 01:45


Horrorphile
Mis, huh? I don't understand, you say you agree with me 100%, then say it was disappointing at best. I thought it rocked ....

Kylie, it's less chilling perhaps, but more ferocious. Ultimately a scarier film, I thought.

Comment by Miswanderlust

October 11th 2007 02:27


Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Bryn
Sorry about that..... I was disappointed....So I disagree with your adoration of this movie.
But we can agree to disagree. That will teach me to multi-task! :0)
Mis
LYW

Comment by Bryn

October 11th 2007 05:00


Horrorphile
Mis, of course we can agree to disagree, but your opinion is still wrong ... j/k
LYW ..??

Comment by Cibbuano

October 15th 2007 05:32


Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
was this scarier? The opening scene - so intense that I was a nervous wreck. After that, I thought it played out predictably.

I did like some of the plot twists, especially how the virus gets back in business. I didn't find the characters very deep though, so it was hard to sympathize.


Comment by Bryn

October 15th 2007 06:01


Horrorphile
Cibby, I found it more intense than the first film, the first film plateaued so quickly ...

Comment by Harry

December 17th 2007 22:52


Sydney Diary
Personals
Brisbane Diarystar
Zoo Parent
My prediction for 28 months later

The rest of the world is FUBAR.

America is the last bastion of civilization.

Plague comes to America. etc etc.

What would be much better:

Predator vs Plague zombies!!

or Predator vs super fast Plague zombie Aliens! now there's a movie.

Comment by Bryn

December 17th 2007 23:28


Horrorphile
Harry, Aliens vs. Predator on Earth is just around the corner ...
I think 28 Months Later is a chamber piece, set entirely in a small 50s style nuclear bunker, and is about the tension between a man and a woman. They eventually have sex and a further eight months later she gives birth prematurely to a baby who seems to be a mutant. The baby devours the parents and breaks out of the bunker, and at movie's end is shuffling off into the horizon ... alone and tiny ... and stil.l hungry.

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