One of the most complete films of the 2000's. A great sequel.

Rating: 9/10 (12 May 2007)

28 Days Later was one of the most frightening movies I've ever seen, and 28 Weeks Later was no different. It is scary, thrilling, and more political than what you'd expect from a horror film. The acting is also very good, but what makes these 2 movies so good is how well directed and written they are...because that makes them realistic, which is disturbing.
It's been 28 weeks since the end of the first film, and long since the last infected person died out from starvation. Now, the US Army has landed in Britain, with the hopes of rebuilding the country (sound familiar?). After many weeks of success and progress, a person comes in contact with a carrier of the rage virus...passing the virus on, and the outbreak of insane blood thirsty zombies begins again. Meanwhile, 2 children (Imogen Poots and Mackintosh Muggleton) may be far more important and valuable than anyone knows.
First off, I was impressed with the acting. Jeremy Renner (S.W.A.T.) was very likable, much like Cillian Murphy in the original. His US Military Sniper character was very well done. He's a truly good and moral character who makes a big decision during the heat of battle, thus setting off the movie's central storyline. Like the first film, the central storyline doesn't establish itself until a while in. Poots and Muggleton both do good jobs as the main characters. You'll feel for them. Robert Carlyle gives a magnificent performance, but telling how so would be spoiling. Harold Perrineau also does a good job in a supporting role, and contributes to one of the most fantastic action scenes with his helicopter.
Like I said, the acting is great, but the writing, direction, and the action is even better. There's a lot more action in this one, for sure. The gore is very plentiful to satisfy the most die hard zombie film fans, and the action sequences are very clever and well done, especially the helicopter scenes. I was left jaw-dropped many times. The zombies are scarier than before, because this time, you see their creation and how quickly they multiply. Sometimes, you can't help but think, "what if this really happened?". It's as psychologically scary as it is visually scary, and I thank Juan Carlos Fresnadillo for that. The film is expertly directed and written, and gives Danny Boyle a run for his money. Fresnadillo captures the mood and feel of the first film perfectly, and you'll get chills just from the atmosphere. Also, Fresnadillo did a great job creating a destroyed London. It's very realistic. The script allows for a fast paced movie that balances the action with the drama very well, while scaring the crap out of you. Even though this is a movie, the political undertones are very obvious, as well as Fresnadillo's attitude towards social behavior. The movie eerily resembles the Iraq War, and what would happen if the world was thrust into total chaos with nothing to guide the people. 28 Weeks Later is definitely one of the most complete films I've watched recently. It's as political as it is scary and action packed, and it's one hell of a ride. Great job, Mr. Fresnadillo. I also have no doubt that there's going to be a third part. I can't wait.
9/10 --spy