28 Weeks Later (2007)

Watch An Epidemic Unfold

"28 Weeks Later" starts in the same time frame of "28 Days Later", and ends much further. Danny Boyle did an excellent job on the first, but he's not directing this time around Juan Fresnadillo is the main man now. The movie feels very different from the first film, being a die hard fan of the first film I was ready to be over critical.

Luckily the intro stirred up the same feeling received from the climactic parts of the original. After that the movie really shifts away from those ideals, and revolves more on a different approach of survival. While the rage infected civilians still play a prime role, the military becomes just as terrifying (and much more destructive). Instead of just waves of zombie like people, now explosions and helicopters make way. Snipers and turrets, fire fights, and military bases, hmmmm.

Sounds a bit more like an action film huh? Indeed it is, but it adds variety to the universe. The action does seem a bit over the top at some points, but the horror still feels just as real and intense as ever.
One will notice a larger budget was enabled this time, and they make sure to use it to its fullest.

Story wise, the objective is much clearer then the first. Yet after the initial break out, the story takes back seat to simply surviving. 28 Days focused more on rationing and slow paced moving about. This one is breakneck speed, for if they shall halt death is imminent. This really helps the film from becoming stagnant, the way it plays out slow moments will only hinder it. I personally liked the original story more, with the initial group of survivors confused and struggling on reaching salvation. It kept us wondering where would be safe, are they just stuck wandering? Gravitating us to feel their confusion and disbelief. 28 Weeks is less dynamic as it maintains a certain adrenaline rush spanning the entire course of the film. The music is still prominent, and knows when to cue the 'buddy hug the side of your seat, it's gonna' get creepy'.

Summarizing the story, England is deemed safe to relocate to. Precautions are taken direly. The U.S. military provides consistent steak outs. Upon being dubbed safe to live in again, a civilian quarters is established. Ruins of Englands apocalyptic nightmare still strain on, all around lay blood drenched buildings. Vacant stores and vehicles residing on the streets empty as can be. A father reunites with his children. Children are still not allowed, but exceptions are made. Without spoiling how, an infection resurfaces. Cures have been something parallel to a dream, but recent study suggest it may be possible. With the infection virally spreading faster then wild fire, U.S. forces must cleanse the area by all means.

What I really enjoyed about this film is although it takes place in a further time, you actually get to watch a breakout start. 28 Days, the protagonist awoke in a daze much after the course of the epidemic, and slowly saw it cease. A second sequel seems less trivial and more a necessity. A third title is set to take place in Russia. The 28 series is refreshing, chaotic, and very gory. Bonus features include comics, commentary, and a few behind the scenes look at the making of.

Side note, rage virus is not a zombie making mayhem. These 'zombie' like humans are fast, lethal, and blindingly angry. Infection can spread via bite, or any blood entering an open surface. Once infected, transformation is fast.

28 weeks is an impressive sequel, that avoids treading the same territory twice. A film worth the while of viewing, and hopefully good enough to get viewers into the first film (if they haven't seen it already).

November 10, 2008

Meh

This is the sequel to 28 days later, and I thought it was pretty weak. An entirely predictable plot from start to finish, featuring annoyingly silly teenage protagonists, their dad, and a group of somewhat dim NATO soldiers. I was disappointed because the first film was well done, had an interesting plot and was surprising. This film the children take over with their TSTL (too stupid to live) antics, and the plot devolves into horror/slasher formula. The moment the children arrived in the military zone I predicted they'd do something really moronic. I was disappointed to be right.

I enabled close captions, which was convenient when I fast forwarded all the chase scenes that the director apparently considered plot development. This way I could read the sparse dialog without feeling the need to slow down.

The ending was almost the only interesting part of the film. Perhaps a sequel would be better.

Overall? I give this one a star. It was barely watchable and boring in its banality. October 31, 2008

Have No Fear, All Is Well...

Months have passed since the rage virus descimated England. The infected have all starved to death, and the threat of future infection has been eliminated. Now, the US, under UN authority, has set up a green zone in the heart of London where survivors and those who were away during the viral holocaust can begin new lives. Eventually, England will be re-populated, the terror will be a distant memory, and the world will rejoice. OOPSY! Something's gone wrong! An infected has somehow survived and infiltrated the green zone! How could this be? All precautions have been taken. All proper procedures followed. The military is in complete control. In spite of all this, the rage is spreading again! Chaos and anarchy have replaced order and civil structure! The whole thing has come apart! Our new utopia has been destroyed, leaving a seething hell in it's place! Hope has been devoured by hopelessness and insanity! The infected have escaped the green zone and are rampaging once more! It's alright, the military is doing it's best to stop this renewed plague! Don't worry, I'm sure the UN is already working on a new and improved plan! Nothing can possibly go wro... October 25, 2008

Movie: 3.75/5 Picture Quality: 4/5 Sound Quality: 4.5/5 Extras: 3.5/5

Version: U.S.A / Region A
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Running time : 1:40:06
Codec : MPEG-4 AVC
Movie size: 31,82 GB
Disc Size : 35,89 GB
Average Video Bit Rate: 34.74 Mbps
DTS-HD MA 24-bit/48Khz English
DD 5.1 640 Kbps French / Spanish
Subtitles: English SDH / Spanish / Korean / Cantonese
Number of chapters: 28

#English for the visually impaired
#Audio Commentary
#Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary
#Code Red - The Making of 28 Weeks Later
#The Infected
#Getting Into The Action
#Animated Chapters from 28 Days Later - The Aftermath
#Trailers October 21, 2008

UH VERY CREEPY

Let me say right off this film is creepy as hellz, it's sort of has a low budget feel, which makes it seem very real. It's amazingly violent and from the start you know your in for a disturbing ride. At times, the violence seems gratuitous, and one scene where one of the main characters attacks the other is really disturbing. For what it is, it succeeds, frankly if you looking for a creepy apocolyptic horror film you'll probably be pleases, but otherwise you might out to skip this or be forewarned, you may have trouble sleeping afterwards, it's that creepy. October 19, 2008

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