28 Weeks Later
In 2002, horror fans were taken back by the surprise hit 28 Days Later. This independent film used new methods of filmmaking mixed with a fresh twist to the flesh-eating zombie line story found in classics such as Dawn of the Dead. The film kept audiences on the edge of their seats and brought a new, darker side to horror films that was a refreshing change in this genre. 28 Weeks Later is the anticipated sequel to the original hit, and it comes filled with the same intensity that turned audiences on their heads.
Following up where 28 Days Later left off, the British island has been quarantined as the infected slowly die off from starvation. We’re told that American forces have come in, helped to dispose of the bodies, and rebuilt the once great city of London. It’s 7 months since the first infected roamed the streets, and the belief is that the city is now safe to bring back the first batch of human inhabitants.
The story focuses on a single family, the McCormacks that include two teenage children being reunited with their Father who has been quarantined for the past 6 months. Their Mother has fallen victim to the virus, and they are left trying to deal with the enormity of their loss.
As expected, events lead to the virus being unleashed again on the city, and its patrons. The infected monsters inside 28 Weeks Later are just as rage filled as they were in the previous versions, although their methods of attacks are shown in more detail which leads to some gruesome scenes. Besides facing off against an uncontrollable band of monsters, our protagonists must also do battle with a new enemy, the United States military. The military in a desperate attempt to control the outbreak has been given orders to shoot everyone in sight, including uninfected people. These scenes perhaps are some of the best in the film as the chaos of innocent people running both from the infected and military members is intense. The shooting is unrelenting and provide some of the best special effects in the movie.
The film holds the same intensity as the original, with the familiar musical scores and shaky chase scenes. The characters are more complex, and the storyline in this sequel is much deeper. There is more dialogue which helps add more suspense to the action sequences. The mayhem inside is bloodier and more gruesome than the first version, and is definitely not for the faint of heart. There are scenes that will turn your stomach, and overall it’s a dark post-apocalyptic portrayal of a civilization in dire straits.
For the great scenes inside, there are also some puzzling ones. A helicopter being used as a weapon is laughable and had no place in a movie that tries to give off a realistic feel. The storyline also offers some head scratching moments as two teenage siblings are able to breach an apparent military blockade in mere seconds. A compound housing quarantined and potentially infected individuals has virtually no real security. For a disease that is transmitted through the tiniest drop of blood, characters are not concerned with cleaning themselves off when they’ve been covered in this potentially life altering fluid.
28 Weeks Later is quite similar to its predecessor in both appearance and theme. It’s about survival and reaching a particular destination without getting killed. The film is intense, dramatic, and gruesome. The depressing film offers few happy moments throughout the character’s short journey. 28 Weeks Later is still a solid horror film that shouldn’t disappoint fans of the original and should be placed at the higher levels of your movie queue.
4 out of 5 stars
Bonus: The extras inside are strong and really add to the experience. There is an audio commentary by writer-director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and writer-producer Enrique Lopez Lavgne. Two deleted scenes that add to the storyline and answer some questions. There are a few featurettes which include a “Making of”, a look inside the infected, and a behind the scenes spotlight on some of the action sequences. Lastly, you’ll have two short comic stories that for me, were just not interesting.
This movie was received in 1 day from Netflix.
