28 Weeks Later

Rating: 9/10 (11 October 2007)

Director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (Intacto) is handed over the reigns by Danny Boyle, and he doesn't disappoint . In essence, I would describe the entire film as one entire family's curse. The film opens with a sequence showing us what Robert Carlyle's character, Don, was doing 28 days after the initial outbreak.
What the movie really delivers are just some fantastic apocalyptically beautiful scenes. However, the scene of the film I believe is of a tight-packed crowd becoming infected in one incredibly effective, claustrophobic and frightening sequence that brings home the terror. Instead of dealing with a small band of survivors, we get to see the effects of the Rage virus on an entire nation. You believe the plight of common people in the midst of pure mass terror and a nearly inescapable death.
The sound and music of the film is another highlight. It's silence, it's intensity.
28 Weeks Later is not without it's problems though. For one, it's structure feels odd or off. Unlike 28 Days Later, Weeks Later does not have a main character like Cillian Murphy or Brendan Gleeson. Instead, we are treated to sympathetic soldiers Doyle (Jeremy Renner) and Scarlet ( Rose Byrne).
Both Renner & Byrne are in reality the heart and soul of this film...and both of them capture brilliant performances. Renner's line relating to something like " It's all f**** up" simply captures everything we're thinking. I also love the scene where he finally decides to abandon his post after his ordered selected shootings of the infected don't exactly work.
And then there is Byrne. Well. Fine. I'll go there. Rose is amazing. She has such a natural beauty, and her eyes capture everything. For instance, watch that scene where she is describing how the Army is going to execute a code red. All bets are off. There is going to be no favors done for anyone involved.
Well done to Robert Carlyle as well. The beginning scene of the film, gets me pumped every time.
Generally, 28 Weeks Later is one of those rare sequels that can stand proudly next to its predecessor.