"28 Weeks Later" is a brilliant film, riddled with scary moments, socio-political commentary and dazzling imagery. I can't wait to see the inevitable third entry.
28 Weeks Later (2007, DVD)
Directors: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
Producers: Danny Boyle and Alex Garland
Writers: Rowan Joffe (screenplay) and Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (screenplay) & Jesús Olmo (screenplay) Enrique López Lavigne (screenplay) (as E.L. Lavigne)
Features: * Feature Commentary by Director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and Co-Writer Enrique Lopez Lavigne * Code Red: Making Of 28 Weeks Later Behind-The-Scenes Featurette *The Infected Make-Up Effects Featurette * Getting Into The Action Featurette * 28 Days Later: The Aftermath Flash-Animated Graphic Novel * Stage 1 – “Development” * Stage 3 – “Decimation” * Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary * Theatrical Trailers
Characters:
Catherine McCormack ... Alice Harris
Robert Carlyle ... Donald Harris
Amanda Walker ... Sally
Shahid Ahmed ... Jacob
Garfield Morgan ... Geoff
Emily Beecham ... Karen
Beans El-Balawi ... Boy in Cottage
Jeremy Renner ... Sgt. Doyle
Harold Perrineau ... Flynn
Rose Byrne ... Maj. Scarlet
Genre: Horror
Review:
Here's another spooky review for ya!
28 Weeks Later
"28 Days Later" was a brilliant reinvention on the dying zombie horror genre. It spun it on its head, turning the slow-moving flesh eating nasties into running, angry, blood-thirsty monsters. It was awesome. Sadly though, the film, while good, meandered in its final act leaving an unsettling taste in the viewers mouth. But with "28 Weeks Later," they're back for more.
"28 Weeks Later" doesn't follow our heroes from "28 Days Later." Rather it follows Donald Harris (the always competent Robert Carlyle). At the beginning of the film, Harris abandons his wife after virus infected folk attack their shelter. 28 weeks later, Harris now works at the first city to be reopened in London. His kids have just arrived, and he's eager to see them. All hell breaks loose not long after once Harris' wife returns, a carrier of the deadly virus, but oddly not infected.
Director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and writers E.L. Lavigne, Jesús Olmo and Rowan Joffe have managed to craft a scary and socially poignant thriller of epic scale. The action is intense and brooding. The horror is chilling and scary. The drama is earth shattering and tragic. It's a viscous combination that actually makes this entry better than its groundbreaking big brother.
Aiding in this is a strikingly powerful socio-political commentary regarding America and England's haphazard approach to fighting insurgency. It's subtle at times and not so subtle at others.
The film's cast does a fine job jugging terror with drama with Rose Byrne and Robert Carlyle as the two major standouts. Byrne, who plays a military doctor, is a force to be reckoned with, stunning us in two films this summer (the other was Danny Boyle's other project, the underrated sci-fi horror flick, "Sunshine"). She's very beautiful and emotionally driven. She gives weight to every character she plays, and I can't wait to see what she does in the future.
Juan Carlos Fresnadillo steps in as director, taking over for Danny Boyle, and crafts a taut vision which adds to the film's spark. The movie looks and feels much like a typical Danny Boyle film. Fresnadillo chose to shoot on film with this entry instead of digital, and the result is much more dynamic looking as opposed to the murky, cloudy look of the first.
"28 Weeks Later" is a brilliant film, riddled with scary moments and dazzling imagery. I can't wait to see the inevitable third entry.
Film Report Card
As entertainment: A-
As a film: A-
Overall:
A-
DVD REVIEW:
Video:
**DVDFuture was not provided a release copy of the film and thus cannot comment on the picture quality of the final product.**
The film is presented in anamorphic 2:35:1 widescreen.
Audio
**DVDFuture was not provided a release copy of the film, and thus cannot comment on the audio quality of the final product.**
The film is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround.
Extras:
**Unfortunately, DVDFuture was not provided a release copy of the film, and therefore I cannot accurately review the special features. Below, however, I will list the special feature provided on my copy of the DVD.**
Included on the disc was an insightful Commentary with Director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and Co-Writer Enrique Lopez Lavigne. Several fun, but short featurettes were included. They were: Code Red, a Behind-The-Scenes Featurette, a Make-Up Effects Featurette and an Action Featurette.
Also included was a digital graphic novel called "28 Days Later: The Aftermath."
Finally, there were a few rightfully cut Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary and trailers for this and other horror flicks from Fox inclduing a trailer for "Lake Placid 2," becuase everyone wanted it...right.
Final Thoughts
Easily the better of the two movies, "28 Weeks Later" is well worth your time and money. Blu-ray owners might want to pick up the Blu-ray version of the disc, but for DVD owners, this appears to be a solid special edition to complement the first film's DVD.
*DVD Scorecard*
N/A
On DVD: Oct. 9, 2007
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----R. L. Shaffer