28 WEEKS LATER
Review by: Horrorholic
Score: 6/10
When 28 Days hit US theatres in June 2003, it was released in the middle of the Blockbuster season when horror fare usually doesnt even register at the box office. However, since audiences ate it up at the theatre and then on DVD, it should be no surprise that the film is getting a sequel, appropriately named 28 WEEKS LATER.
The film starts out with Don (Robert Carlyle) and Alice (Catherine McCormack), a married couple, living in a boarded up house with several other survivors of the Rage virus outbreak. In an instant, the infected storm the house and begin feasting on its inhabitants. Don manages to make it out alive and to a motorboat in a nearby river, leaving his wife behind to die.
The story then picks up 28 weeks later, after US troops have helped rebuild London and have begun letting citizens back in. Dons two children, Tammy and Andy, arrive back in London after being on a school trip and reunite with their father, living in a safe zone designated District One. Don regales the tale of his wifes death to the two children and lies, saying that she was dead before he could do anything about it. The children, holding onto the memory of their mother, decide to sneak out of District One and to their old house, to gather some sentimental items.
Tammy and Andy make it back to their house, to find their mother hiding out in the attic. Shes been infected, but not affected by the virus and the military conveniently shows up at this exact moment to take her back to District One for study. There is some sort of abnormality in her genes that makes her immune to the Rage virus, but the military sees her as a risk and wants her to be destroyed. After a security breach mishap, the virus is reintroduced into the population by Don and all hell breaks loose. London is soon turned into a Code Red situation and is ordered to be decimated. Along with a scientist, a renegade sniper and a helicopter pilot, Tammy and Andy try to make their way to safety.
I actually enjoy the premise of the film quite a bit. Aside from its shortcomings (there are plenty), the story doesnt really stutter. The whole second half of the film is a giant chase scene, most of which was enjoyable.
The problem is that the director, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, doesnt know how to show us what his vision of the film is. Were treated to what is known as Blair Witch Syndrome, where a director doesnt know how to film an action sequence, so he has the camera shake a lot and says thats his definition of tension. Many films have used this technique in the last year or so and hopefully this trend will die soon. If I cared enough to keep watching to see what happened to the characters, the least Fresnadillo could do is actually show me what happened. While this downside doesnt apply to every action sequence, it is used in quite a few.
The film also moved beyond my suspension of belief quite a few times. One that comes to mind is when Tammy and Andy sneak out of District One to their old house and manage to get past an endless supply of guards. These are children, not James Bond. These must be the worst military personnel in the history of mankind. Another involves a subplot involving a possible psychic connection in the family, which is seemingly abandoned within the first 20 minutes and never referred to again.
Given the recent rash of below average horror sequels, I went into this film with low expectations and came out relieved. While the film loses a lot, in terms of character development and story, when compared to the original, its still a moderately fun ride. If youre looking for a fast paced ride with some good gore, this is right up your alley.
http://www.freezedriedmovies.com/bl...-Official-Review-28-Weeks-Later.html#extended
t:
boo those movies. I wanted to see some good ol zombie action.
