One of the worst...

Rating: 1/10 (11 May 2007)

I love horror movies. I really do. I like action movies. Unfortunately, 28 Weeks Later wasn't successful at being either one.
I thought 28 Days Later was a really good movie. I thought the story was intriguing, the acting was great and the effects were well done. Although the original was considered a smaller, limited release movie here in the US, everything about it was conveyed as a wonderful, big budget, smart film.
This sequel was just ridiculous.
Despite the time lapse between the filming of the original and the sequel, the plot seemed as though it was rushed into production. It was as though everyone related with the film hoped that the audience was either too dumb or too distracted by the ineffective, gratuitous violence to realize what a lemon this film is.
Although I can't really complain about the acting, as I am sure that everyone did the best they could with the materials given, it was really difficult to care about any of the unsympathetic, unlikable characters. I understand that every film needs some kind of event or catalyst to move the film along and propel the plot, but in this instance, it was just too unrealistic given the events that were occurring.
My biggest complaint about the film has to be in the way it was filmed. I thought that The Blair Witch Project had better camera work. The film was too choppy and the camera work too shaky. Instead of drawing me into the action, I spent all of my time being frustrated and squinting at the screen to attempt to decipher what I was seeing.
I had heard rumors that Cillian Murphy turned down a cameo in this film despite being offered a big check for his appearance. Perhaps he read the script.
My final opinion, skip this one and save your money.
To the team for the inevitable third installment: Please spend some time on the plot and on character development. Don't just rely on blood and gore to get you through. Give us characters that we can sympathize and empathize with; ones that we want to see make it through to the end, even if they don't. Oh, and please invest in some better camera equipment. Fox Atomic should be able to afford it by now.