One heaps scary and intense movie

Rating: 9/10 (3 February 2012)

This is probably one of the most intense and scariest horror movies that I have ever seen. I have seen it before, but when I watched it again last night it pretty much scared the hell out of me, and seriously, it is very hard of horror movies to actually scare me. The way Robert Carlise withers in abject pain after he becomes infected by foolishly kissing his wife, and then how in a rage he beats her to death and gouges out her eyes, not necessarily gruesome, but rather me, as a viewer, watched in abject horror thinking to myself that that is probably one of the worst ways to die, that is to turn into a ravaging beast, and further to be beaten to death while restrained to a gurney.
And it does not stop there, after the virus breaks out all of the civilians are herded into a bunker and all of the power is shut down, and it is at that time that Carlise breaks into the room and begins attacking the civilians. Imagine, being trapped in an underground bunker, and not only can't you see, but it becomes very clear that people are turning into beasts and attacking everybody randomly, and once they do escape, they suddenly find themselves being shot at from the rooftops, and are then incinerated as the government realises that they have a very dangerous infection on their hands. Watching this film (and the effects that the director used to really amplify the horror of the situation) just constantly made me think that I am so glad that I am not in that situation. Further, the end of the film just left me sitting there with my mouth open, realising that this is pretty much the end of civilisation as we know it.
Whereas the first movie had the infected in the background, this film brings them to the forefront. The movie opens with Don (Robert Carlise) hiding in a farmhouse with his wife and other when they are attacked by the infected. He manages to escape, but in a fit of terror, turns from his wife and flees as she is dragged out of sight. Then fast forward 28 weeks later and Britain has pretty much been depopulated and it is believed the the virus has run its course. However things are not as simple as that because they then encounter a carrier, somebody who has been infected, but is asymptomatic (though not entirely).
Many have criticised aspects of this film, such as why Don was able to get into the room with his wife, and how he managed to escape from the isolation room. My main continuity criticism is that in 28 Days Later, the infected shun sunlight whereas in this film they are unaffected by it. If there is one thing that I would suggest that dragged it down is that. As for the incident with Don, my position would be that humans are prone to make mistakes, and simply by not revoking his authority, or not even considering that his emotion would overide his common sense, makes his actions very believable. As for him escaping, it is not clear, maybe he was let out by an unsuspecting guard, who was then attacked and killed.
Some have suggested that Don does not behave like a true infected, but once again I beg to differ. First of all it is suggested that despite the Rage Virus affecting him, he is also haunted by powerful emotions, in that he deserted his wife and left her for dead, and as such is still able to retain a sense of control, which could also answer why he managed to escape. Also, when he gets into the bunker and starts attacking people inside, it is clear that it is his intention to spread the infection far and wide.
Seriously, this film is heaps intense, and it is very rare that you actually get to breath, especially after the infection is released on the Isle of Dogs. It is clear that it was always going to be impossible to contain, as can be seen by the end of the film. There are suggestions that a third movie will be made, 28 months later, and there is even a trailer, though it is unlikely to appear until next year. I guess I would like to see how it ends, but considering the general rule of cinema, the sequel in many cases is far better, but once the third hits the screens, then pretty much tune out.