Worthy of a matinée - feel free to leave after the infection reappears

Rating: 6/10 (14 May 2007)

The scene where the infection hits the camp is the border point at which this movie goes from great, to blah. Robert Carlyle is amazing - as he generally is - and his character is the most interesting part of this film from the beginning to that aforementioned border. What was so enthralling about the first movie was that all the characters hooked you in some way - so much so that you were able to suspend your disbelief about certain plot points that were far-fetched (really - I'm sure a squad of soldiers could go longer than a month without sex before resorting to raping teenagers to repopulate the world - but it made for a great story) After the infection hits in the sequel, the 2 D stock characters which seem to have been harvested from the numerous other "us against THEM" films just aren't that interesting - and forced to watch them - the plot holes loom ever larger and larger. I never bought the sniper character's motivation - killing his comrade was pretty easy decision for him (though he himself did die most beautifully). I never bought the helicopter with unlimited fuel - or the family-man pilot who risks it all not even knowing why the two kids are so important. The hot, young medical examiner (who's driving skills are miraculously able to out maneuver an attack helicopter) who found the cure to the plague of the 21st century was cliché in so many ways. And Robert Carlyle - his performance was so much more appealing before he became all Friday the 13th Jason on us, and kept coming back. The token loser coward who we all knew was gonna do something stupid - etc... etc. if there is a sequel - I hope it is handled better.