ZRC Movie Review: 28 Weeks Later
It’s hard to even start talking about 28 Weeks Later without first discussing it’s predecessor 28 Days Later. 28 Days Later really set the bar high for a new generation of zombie movies. An infection that turns people into (essentially) crazed zombies virtually wipes out most of Great Britain. Now, 28 Weeks Later, the US armed forces moved in and reconstruction has begun. Two siblings who were fortunate enough to be out of the country during the infection are returned to their homeland. Without giving too much away, all hell breaks loose and the infection comes back. With no way to contain it, the army is forced to destroy everyone and everything, and it becomes a race for survival.
Almost right off the bat 28 Weeks Later takes the intensity of the first film and turns the volume up. WAY UP. Holy crap this easily one of the scariest, most disturbing movies I’ve ever seen. The characters face impossible odds and fall into the most disturbing situations. What I love about this series is how it manages to accurately portray the full range of human emotions under dire circumstances. And let me tell you there are some circumstances that are beyond dire.
At no point does 28 Weeks Later compromise. The scenes are gory without ever being campy. It actually made me cover my eyes in parts for the first time in years! (I thought I’d been desensitized to this kind of thing!) Tension, fear, and desperation run throughout.
Although it has a different director than the first movie, it still manages to retain the same destitute feeling. It also seems to have taken a healthy dose of inspiration from Children of Men. I’m not saying that it lives up to 28 Days Later - it surpasses it.
You know…This movie just didn’t work for me.
The only way the story moved forward at all was by the characters making the absolute stupidest choice they could. Every single time.
1) The kids leaving the quarantine area to go back to their house, knowing full well the area was dangerous (MORONS)
2) The father breaking quarantine himself (So goddamn stupid it hurt my brain. Seriously…Nobody, but NOBODY would be as stupid as he was.)
3) Containing all of the refugees in a small, confined space when there was risk of infection, then not having said space locked down enough that the infected could find their way in. Either it’s locked down or it’s not. I call bullshit on that.)
I could continue, but to do so would spoil the living hell out of the film for anyone who hasn’t seen it.
Over and over again, the script for 28 WEEKS LATER just made me smack my forehead thinking “This was written by monkeys!”. Well-directed, yes. But, dammit, it was a well-directed crap sandwich with mayo.
[...] Zombie Reporting Center wrote an interesting post today on ZRC Movie Review: 28 Weeks LaterHere’s a quick excerpt [ 31 Days of Halloween] [ 28 Weeks Later] It’s hard to even start talking about 28 Weeks Later … it has a different director than the first movie, it still manages to retain the same destitute feeling [...]
This movie was pretty good. Far better then the first. As luck would have it, I just picked it up on Bluray.
You know… after seeing this last night with Erik and thinking “Holy fuck this is the scariest movie I have ever seen” I woke up this morning and can’t stop thinking about all it’s flaws. I think I might take back some of the praises I’d given it. The first 10 minutes - Brilliant! The last 30… ugh… painful. What a crap ending too.
And I ditto you, Adam on all your points.
I would argue that almost every horror movie has people making bad decisions and then paying for them. People are bad decision makers in times of extreme crisis and I thought this movie really reflected that.
I watch horror movies to be scared, and this movie did better than most.
I thought it was a great movie but the plot holes were hard to over look. First civilian repopulating after 6 months and before complete cleanup was finished? Crap! Second, two kids being able to break quarantine with snipers on every roof and fences, gates and security cameras? Crap! Third, Civilian contractor having access to his wife in military quarantine? Crap! The doctor drawing blood on a full biological quarantined patient wearing only a paper mask ang gloves? Crap! Surviving a nerve gas attack by pulling your shirt over your nose(it is as deadly skin absorbed) Crap! The infected making it out of the lab? Crap! Don’t get me wrong I loved the movie it was great but the plot holes made it hard to enjoy. Watch Planet Terror the plot holes are bigger but they are intentional and that makes it that much more entertaining.