This is the sequel to Danny Boyle’s genre defining 28 Days Later.
As the title suggests, the movie is set 28 weeks after the rage virus was unleashed upon an unsuspecting Britain. The infected have died of starvation, and reconstruction has begun in London which is now a police state overlooked by U.S. led NATO troops.
The film focuses on Tammy (Imogene Poots) and Andy (Mackintosh Muggleton), two children who are reunited with their father Don (Robert Carlyle). After Don becomes infected, the city is thrown into chaos as the virus quickly spreads forcing the military to take drastic action and exterminate everyone and everything.
A group of stowaways led by military scientist Scarlet (Rose Byrne) attempt to leave the city, taking with them young Andy who may hold the cure for the virus.
28 Weeks Later contains many elements from the first film (feeling of dread and isolation, military intervention, etc) while also packing a much stronger emotional punch and ferocious intensity.
Also, a number of unexpected moments will keep the viewer on their toes, with the films startling opening sequence setting the tone quite nicely for what is to come.
As it goes with horror sequels, the level of gore and violence is raised, with director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo unfortunately taking it a little to far at times, sometimes at the expense of story and character development. Yet these flaws are counter balanced with some genuine scares and thrills.
A very good film and an improvement over its over hyped predecessor.
|