Big thrills, huge plot-holes

Rating: Null/10 (14 May 2007)

The first thing to note about this movie is that it is one of a very small group of films: a sequel that is as good as it's predecessor. However it excels in different ways, "28 Days Later" was primarily a psychological horror flick that examined how well-drawn characters who care for each other react to terrifying circumstances. "28 Weeks" is first and foremost an action movie loaded with large-scale effects-laden depictions of carnage.
The plot is fairly straightforward- seven months after the outbreak of the Rage virus, an American military force has started the task of reconstructing Britain. In order to repopulate the country, the surviving Britons are housed in a military base established on the Isle of Dogs in London. These survivors include 12 year-old Andy and his teenage sister Tam, together with their father (the fantastic Robert Carlyle) who knows more than he is telling about the fate of their mother. All of the original "infected" have starved to death, but it turns out that some people bitten during the epidemic never exhibited symptoms themselves but can still contaminate others. Needless to say, it's not long before all hell breaks loose and Andy and Tam- together with a U.S military doctor and an Army sniper- have to fight for their lives.
Though "28 Weeks" has a different director, the film has a very similar look to it's predecessor with lots of jump-cuts and jittery photography during the action scenes. Locations and music are both used very effectively also. Like in all the best zombie movies, there really is a sense that nowhere is safe and nobody can be trusted. The whole film exudes a deep sense of dread and menace, danger seems to lurk everywhere even when it appears there ought to be nothing to fear. The pace of the film grows increasingly relentless and it is genuinely exhilarating to watch the characters struggle against ever-increasing odds in order to stay alive and escape to safety. The action set pieces are stunningly executed- particularly one involving a field full of infected and a swooping helicopter.
However, all of this comes at price. The plot has some absolutely massive holes that most viewers will have no difficulty identifying. In "28 Weeks" things happen just because they do and necessary explanations are simply not provided. Having said that, this is a worthy sequel that provides lavish helpings of tension, exhilaration, and gore. Definitely worth seeing.