Summary:

In this sequel to 28 DAYS LATER, the virulent virus that turned ordinary Brits into enraged zombie-like creatures has run its course. NATO forces are overseeing the repatriation of citizens after the last of the infected on the British mainland have died. Or have they?

Steve says:

28 WEEKS LATER avoids typical sequelitis and stands on its own as a worthy successor to its predecessor. The story begins in high gear as Don (Robert Carlyle) and his wife Alice (Catherine McCormack) are hiding out in a country cottage with an elderly couple near the end of the original siege. Within minutes, the cottage comes under attack in a harrowing scene in which Don panics and abandons his wife and the others for this own safety.

My major criticism of the film is that director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo engages in the kind of frenetic, scattershot editing originated by the likes of Michael Bay. The rapid-fire cutting of footage shot by a moving hand-held camera makes for a visual that is virtually impossible to follow. I had a similar dissatisfaction with the opening action scene of SPIDER-MAN 3 in which I attempted to follow Spidey’s first fight with friend/enemy Harry Osborn. There is no doubt that the technique causes the audience major discomfort, which is probably the aim. However, I inevitably end up frustrated at not being able to follow the action and sometimes close my eyes to shut out the madness. The last thing any filmmakers should want is members of his audience closing their eyes. However, to his credit, Fresnadillo keeps the manic cutting to a minimum and most of the movie is very watchable.

Robert Carlyle (TRAINSPOTTING, THE FULL MONTY) is effective here as the man haunted by his betrayal of the woman he loved in a moment of panic. However, your heart is with him as he is re-united with his children who were out of the country at boarding school during the original attack. As his 12 year old son and teenaged daughter, Mackintosh Muggleton and Imogen Poots are appealing and effective. But for crying out loud, don’t British managers ever talk to their clients about adopting stage names? Poots, in particular, has supermodel good looks and decent acting chops, so there’s probably a lucrative career in her future. But honestly, the “Poots” has got to go. As for Mackintosh Muggleton, well...he sounds like he just stepped out of the pages of a HARRY POTTER book.

Aussie actress Rose Byrne delivers a strong performance, affecting a believable American accent as one of two U.S. soldiers trying to get the two kids to safety as the situation ranges from bad to devastating.

The director of the original, Danny Boyle, settles for executive producer credit here, but it’s rumored that he shot some of the second unit footage.

The film’s special effects are nothing short of amazing because you really aren’t aware of them as you see them. But they render London almost deserted in some scenes. The sequence in which the city is firebombed is so good, audience members may cancel their vacations to England.

If 28 WEEKS LATER doesn’t quite measure up to 28 DAYS LATER, it comes acceptably close. If you enjoyed the first one, you’ll love this one as well. All in all, it’s a scare fest that will keep you riveted to your seat, albeit at the edge of it.

Four kernels for 28 WEEKS LATER.

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CHRIS SAYS

I wonder why Mom would not do a review for this one? Well, I might as well do one considering how much I loved 28 DAYS LATER.

What I really enjoy about 28 WEEKS LATER is that it stands on its own. In the beginning of the film when the cottage is being attacked, it is almost exactly like the first movie, down to the slightly scratchy quality of the video. But then there is a dramatic change as the film starts to become its own creature. I was impressed because the filmmakers didn’t try to recreate the first movie. They just told their own story. That’s a true sequel. It also is one of the main reasons the movie turned out so well.

The acting was also good, but I must disagree with my Dad about Poots. Toward the beginning of the film she seemed to just be reading her lines. But the rest of her acting was great. I hope to see her again....under a new name.

There was CGI in that film? 28WL managed to keep you entertained enough so that you didn’t have to think about the CGI. In fact, I had to stop myself from pulling out some marshmallows and making myself some s’mores.

As for the chaotic editing, it was a bit confusing. There was one scene that was so brutally edited that I had real trouble following what in the heck was happening, but otherwise it didn’t bother me. The real reason they did that was because modern audiences are notoriously hard to get onto the edge of their seats, so they just edit in chaos and boom, you have an enthused crowd. Makes sense but it can be annoying.

So, if you like movies with situations that go from bad, to good, to really bad, to just downright brutal, see 28 WEEKS LATER. If you loved the first one go see the second. If you haven’t seen the first one, rent it...then see the second one.

I give 28 WEEKS LATER 4.3 bloody kernels. No! Don’t eat those kernels! CRAP! Here we go again.....

P.S, If I had reviewed the first film I would have given it five kernels. Ta-ta for now.

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See you later this week for the Little Rock Film Festival.