28 Weeks Later (2007) Movie Review
Written By: YN
Edited By: Grave Reviews Staff
Film Information
Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
Producers: Enrique López-Lavigne
Andrew Macdonald
Allon Reich
Writers: Rowan Joffé
Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
E. L. Lavigne
Jesus Olmo
Date Released: May 11, 2007
Cast:
Mackintosh Muggleton as Andy
Imogen Poots as Tammy
Robert Carlyle as Don
Rose Byrne as Scarlet
Jeremy Renner as Doyle
Rating = 4/5 Graves
***May contain some spoilers***
Synopsis
Hope arises as the number of those infected by the Rage virus has decreased drastically. Siblings Tammy and Andy are finally reunited with their father and have found refuge in one of the safe zones guarded by the US Army. Their celebration is cut short, however, when they unknowingly bring the virus back inside the safe zone in the form of their infected mother, who is seemingly immune to the virus’ effects. What should have been a heartfelt reunion quickly turns into a bloodbath when the entire area becomes compromised. Now, Tammy, Scarlet and Doyle need to keep Andy safe because he may just be the cure for the virus.
Gore Factor
This movie is perfect for those who just want to relax and watch some mindless blood spraying and flesh devouring on a nice Sunday afternoon. It is definitely a feast for gore-fans and zombie-fans alike. There is no shortage of blood as zombie-like creatures tear through people’s flesh and limbs, as people are burnt to crisps, as eyes are gouged out and as a chopper’s blades slice its way through a horde of zombies. The slow-motion scenes will definitely let you revel in the all that glorious violence and the bloodbath. And if those still don’t satisfy your bloody craving, then keep watching on. The film is sure to scratch that itch at some point.
The Grave Review
28 Weeks Later (2007), a sequel to the movie 28 Days Later (2002), brings the Rage virus back to Britain. It is all a zombie-movie fan can ask for–fast-paced, action-packed, intense and ruthless. It will surely take you on a bloody ride from start to finish.
Unlike other classic zombie movies, the infected here are smarter and faster and deadlier, leaving no room for our characters to rest. The first seconds of the scene already gives its audience a glimpse of how fast things could just get out of hand. When one person gets infected, you are bound to watch a massacre unfold within a few seconds. Adding to the tension is a time limit for our characters to reach the rendezvous point or else they’ll be burnt to a crisp along with the zombies.
In addition, there’s one point in the movie where the characters are placed in a lightless underground train station with only one sniper rifle as a guide in the dark. You watch the characters try to sidestep rotten corpses through a night vision scope, praying that none of those bodies will suddenly get up and take a bite out of Tammy or Andy. The directors and screenplay writers of this film clearly do not want to give their characters a break.
Since the setting in the film happens inside a military safe zone, you can also expect a healthy dose of guns blazing, explosions and gassing. Taking out zombies has never been this messy, chaotic and fiery.
Surprisingly, the movie still manages to sprinkle some heartfelt scenes in between all that violence and running. We have the touching sister-brother relationship going on, the guilt of a husband who left his wife behind, and a romance that could have blossomed under ordinary circumstances. Likewise, it manages to put forward questions on morality and humaneness in the middle of a zombie outbreak.
However, if you want to know more about the virus and how it started, this film doesn’t have the answers. It only takes you right in the middle of the action without giving much away. In fact, it doesn’t even reference the first film at all, so those who are new to the franchise might be at a loss for a moment. Nonetheless, it doesn’t make it any less enjoyable than it already is.
Overall, 28 Weeks Later (2007) is definitely a must watch for all those zombie movie fans out there especially for those who were left hanging after 28 Days Later (2002). It pushes all the right buttons, and it’ll leave you looking forward for a third movie in the franchise.
For the foregoing reasons, Grave Reviews gives 28 Weeks Later (2007) four graves out of five graves.
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