28 Weeks Later: a review

Because it's October, we're going to be reviewing some "horror" films. I hadn't seen this movie and was pretty reluctant in doing so. And I'll tell you why.

Although Danny Boyle produced, did some camera shooting, and had some creative control; although Alex Garland was a producer; although the movie had fantastic versions of the theme by John Murphy from the film's prequel; although the film had the same editor; although it had the talent of Robert Carlyle and Rose Byrne; it fell short.

There are two types of good horror films. Either they are, (a) superbly crafted; bridging a gap between mundane reality and possibility of the supernatural. Or (b) they are horrible, entertaining and laughable pieces of crap. There are no hybrids. No exceptions.

28 Weeks Later was a hybrid. With the rough expectations of holding up to its predecessor, it fell short in several categories.

The first 10 minutes were brilliant cinema. Great effects, editing, acting, camera work, and music. When the film went to London, it lost all the qualities that the first film had successfully set up. It became Land of the Dead! A movie made two years prior to 28 Weeks Later's release.

28 Days Later was successful because it snatched relateable characters from the norms of society and put them in the "state of nature." Anarchy. I can't think of a more terrifying experience than total chaos...with zombies...with the total absence of government and collapse of society. That is good cinema. Along the lines of the (a) category. 28 Weeks Later started off with with what 28 Days built, and descended...miserably. One of the most ridiculous scenes in the film was when Jeremy Renner (the soldier) was completely engulfed in flames via flamethrower while saving Rose Burne and the bastard children.

The film gets a whopping 2 stars out of 5.