28 Weeks Later on DVD (2007)

Good sequel

Meako [Highly rated reviewer] , 09/05/2007

One of the biggest surprises to me this year so far has been how impressive this second entry in the series actually is! I have been saying since this project was announced that it was a ‘pointless remake’ and would only ‘sully the impact of the first film’. Well, I sit here typing this whilst chewing on my words and eating humble pie. 28 Weeks Later is slightly flawed, but an impressive addition to the tale.

The tale, of course, is the one from 28 Days Later, where an experimental virus named ‘Rage’ is accidentally released on the population of Britain by some animal welfare activists. The ‘disease’ turns those infected into mindless, rage-fuelled mobs, who have one thing in mind – attacking, eating and infecting everyone else. The infection is spread by exchange of fluids (be it a splash of blood, or saliva), and affects within seconds. By the end of that first film it seemed that the disease had been eliminated – all the infected had starved (for some unknown reason the infected do not eat their own).

Now, six months later, the re-integration of the British public who escaped the rage has begun. A secure section of London is being used to house those returning to the country, under the protective arm of the US occupying forces. However, it isn’t giving too much away to say that the disease finds a way to return and all hell breaks loose once more. Cue lots of running, hiding, blood, and action.

One of the fears that most people had for this sequel was that it would feel too American, due to the number of US actors involved. However the film retains the distinctive British feel to it that the first one had. The US troops seems to be used more as an allegory to how the US always lends its own brand of ‘protection’ in countries at times of struggle. Our first introduction to the troops already highlights the need for things to kill that the soldiers have embedded in them. As the film progresses those very protectors seem to be more dangerous than the rage-zombies themselves.

A few flaws exist within the structure of the film. Some I cannot mention without spoiling the story, but one which doesn’t give too much away involves a pitch black venture into the underground. What is bizarre is that once the group reach the bottom of the escalator descent, there is suddenly a light source – far underground!! The action scenes suffer from the occasional overuse of shaking the camera, which means that some of the horror (and the gore) is dampened.

Nontheless, despite these little hiccups, the film remains a strong sequel, and delivers a powerful impact on the senses. The ending is predictable, but ties it up well. However, I now repeat my mantra of the past and pray that they don’t do another film in the series – they can’t do anything more for it….can they?

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Wow!

Tea Chimp from Chimpland, Blighty [Highly rated reviewer] , 21/05/2007

I have to admit, I liked the original and when I heard this was coming, I was a little unsure. Sequels do have a habit of being higher in budger and lower in quality. I was more than pleasantly surprised as it is so much better than 28 Days.

From the first scenes, you will be gripped. Acting is also pretty good for a horror film. The plot zips along at 90mph, just when you think you know where the film is going, it changes direction - there are more twists than a twisty thing.

It is gory and grim (if you want mushy Americanism try Pearl Harbor) but never boring or overdone. One of the best films this decade so far :o)

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Mixed Review.....

PaulaWestwood from Ashton-Under-Lyne [Highly rated reviewer] , 17/05/2007

What next we wonder, 28 months later, 28 years... We quite enjoyed 28 days, and thought, hey - with a bigger budget this could be a good one. However to us fortysomethings this was a stressful and samey (rather than enthralling) zombie thriller, with speeded up fast-motion action scenes (all with the same accompanying thundering soundrack) and full blown 'you know whats coming next' storyline (we gave it 2 stars)....

Onto our 19 year old daughter....

She thought this was a really really good paced gore/thriller that kept her hooked and was a really decent watch, with some great performances and well worth at least 4 stars...

It seems like you will have to take your pick... its not got the same something as 28 days, but follows on sort of, so might just be worth a watch, personally its one for the bottom of the rental queue.

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Could be perfect

Dante3000 from Liverpool , 17/05/2007

As my title depicts, I truly believe that 28 Weeks could have been perfect.

It's suprising how the movie leads you into thinking it's going in one direction before voilently shoving you into another.

The set pieces too, are fantastic, voilent and instantly rememberable. Up there with the opening of the Dawn of The Dead remake. In my opinion.

However, simple flaws cause this film to be dragged down. Simlar to how the first film lost its flair in some scenes.

It's hard to tell you what the flaws are without spoiling it, but basically the rule DO NOT WORK WITH CHILDREN should have been adhered to. They are stupid, talk like Keanu Reeves from The Matrix, transform into unbelievable heroes at a moments notice etc. Children, if in horror films, should do nothing more than scream- never become heroes.

Also, it seems that one particular zombie has a compass and manages to find the heroes notmatter where they go.

Of course, this is my opinion only. And I still believe it is a damn good movie.

I highly recommend you sit back and enjoy, the first 10minutes will blow your socks off.

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28 weaks later

Archeoptryx from Peterborough , 23/01/2008

I knew this was a follow-up to 28 days later, unfortunately it turned out to be a poor relation. It`s not a bad movie for its genre but I just dont think its a good movie, it isn`t one I wanted to watch twice..

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A real let down

A customer from Huntingdon , 25/04/2008

This wassuch a let down to the brilliant 28 days later.. A waste of my evening!

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