28 Weeks Later

It was with a mixture of trepidation and excitement that I toddled off to see this sequel to 28 Days Later, mainly because I am a huge fan of the original film and it's director Danny Boyle and I was hoping I wasn't going to be disappointed with the what Spanish Director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo had to offer. I need not have worried , from the opening scenes where we see the brilliant Robert Carlysle holed up with his wife and several others in a deserted farmhouse hiding from the infected I got the feeling we were in for a rollercoaster ride and I was right. 28 weeks have passed the infection has been isolated (or has it ?) and the Americans have taken charge in an attempt to repopulate London. I had reservations about this slant on proceedings fearing we'd be met with Gung-Ho Americanism at it's worse, which would have personally ruined the concept of the whole thing for me , however apart from the odd caricature soldier, and a few Code Reds thrown in for good measure they play an understated role on the whole . This time time round they have kept all of the action in and around central London , and there are some pretty specatcular scenes of deserted streets, parts of Canary Wharf literally burning, and a glimpse of the new Wembly stadium. It's well paced, edge of your seat stuff , with little time to catch your breath on ocassion and some solid performances especially from Carlyle's two children played by Imogen Poots (Tammy) and Mackintosh Muggleston (Andy) I have deliberately steered clear of too much plot synopsis as not to spoil the enjoyment but for those who loved the first one this is a must. Hand on heart 28 Days Later is a film that will always be my favourite, and has the edge mainly because I feel there was far more character development in that film and a stronger storyline . However this one gives it a close run for it's money for action and spectacle , whilst still retaining a fundamentally British feel about the whole thing even using the using the original soundtrack , and as expected cleverly leaves the door wide open for a third. In a word ......... Thrilling.