JohnDoe
Bryn
Brenton28 Weeks Later (2007) - Trailer Included
September 6th 2007 00:06
A Toxic Disneyland
Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
Starring: Rose Byrne, Robert Carlyle, Catherine McCormack, Imogen Poots, Mackintosh Muggleton, Idris Elba, Jeremy Renner, Harold Perrineau, Emily Beachman
“I don't see who's a target.” – Sgt Doyle
Following on from the zombie contagion horror of 28 Days Later, this savage sequel obviously tells the next phase in the viruses evolution.
It’s now 28 weeks after the initial outbreak of infection sent ordinary British citizens into frenzied barbarism to match David Cronenburg’s Shivers and Rabid, sadly without the primitive sex drive.
As the carriers have almost died out and Aided by the US military some semblance of control has been established in centeral London, which is now under strict martial law and looks like a deserted combat zone.
“Have you come in contact with... the infected?” – Scarlet
So the story continues in a quiet English countryside manor. Donald Harris (Robert Carlyle) and his wife Alice (Catherine McCormack) live in constant fear of possible attack from drooling disease infected folk.
Stealing intimate moments where they can, living with a handful of survivors a sudden knock at the door interrupts them as they are sitting down for a meager meal. Screams of terror from a young boy pleading for entry swiftly descends into a startling assault.
Fighting for their lives and vastly outnumbered as swarms of flesh eaters smash the cottage that only moments before had been a sombre haven. As Panic rushes through Donald’s blood he sees an opportunity to escape and abandons his loved one. Fleeing the building and sprinting to safety he must now live with the guilt of his actions.
That the opening 15 minutes, putting in motion an unrelenting narrative that has Donald in the Capital where attempts to repopulate the species are not moving as planned and an inevitable resurgence is imminent.
“It all makes sense. they're executing code red. Step 1: kill the infected. Step 2: containment. if containment cannot be done then, step 3: extermination” – Scarlet
John Doe Says:
Wider in scope, littered in bloody violence and surprisingly achieving an emotional grounding care of the family drama, this is a sequel that exceeds expectations and betters it’s original. Retaining the stark atmosphere of desolation, barren scenery and reactionary camera work it is the page turner plot, deliberate pacing and unforgiving drive to follow through that elevate this above its over hyped predecessor.
Replacing Danny Boyle in the driver’s seat is Spanish wunderkind Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (Intacto) who’s euro-style adds a fresh, uncensored momentum. Turbulent onscreen chills, jumps and thrills teeter on the precipice of resembling a hand held Michael Bay remake of Blair Witch Project. That it never descends into mindless violence is due to the clever, purposeful screenplay and the Directors comprehension of swift editing that sears necessary information in concise bursts.
The straight faced performances are impressive. Robert Carlyle (Trainspotting, Ravenous) has the most interesting part, boldly willing to be labelled a coward who’s primal survival instinct dominates over the love for his wife. Subtly gaining our trust and sympathy but never losing the element of danger.
Rose Byrne (Sunshine, Dead Girl, I capture the Castle, City of Ghosts, Goddess of 67) is John Doe’s favourite Aussie actress and although here she doesn’t get to do much other than stereo-type she performs admirably and convinces as a pretty doctor who must go beyond her duty as a healer.
Jeremy Renner (Dharma) as the unfortunate sniper who gets a conscience when the bullets are aimed at the innocent has some great lines and he makes his time memorable.
I hate to give the nod to the kids in the film, but Imogen Poots (V for Vendetta) and Mackintosh Muggelton (Harry Potter joke withheld) give true feeling to their characters.
John Doe was underwhelmed by the original 28 Days Later, not terrible, but missing its potential. Feeling like an expansion of the novel Last Man on Earth with an ending so bad the filmmakers knew it and inserted a better one after the closing credits.
This sequel manages to refine all the mistakes of the first and the result is a fun amusement park ride with bite. More raw terror than Johnny could stand didn’t come from the movie itself though, it was the fact this was not the only Horror movie sequel he watched on Saturday night that bested its pedestrian source, a rare supernatural occurrence. Or could this be the start of a trend? JD hopes not because even doing this post commending a 2nd instalment has felt like blasphemy.
The DVD:
Transfer: Widescreen/5.1 Dolby Digital
Extras: Unpreviewed
The Trailer
DVD Cover
Starring: Rose Byrne, Robert Carlyle, Catherine McCormack, Imogen Poots, Mackintosh Muggleton, Idris Elba, Jeremy Renner, Harold Perrineau, Emily Beachman
“I don't see who's a target.” – Sgt Doyle
Following on from the zombie contagion horror of 28 Days Later, this savage sequel obviously tells the next phase in the viruses evolution.
It’s now 28 weeks after the initial outbreak of infection sent ordinary British citizens into frenzied barbarism to match David Cronenburg’s Shivers and Rabid, sadly without the primitive sex drive.
As the carriers have almost died out and Aided by the US military some semblance of control has been established in centeral London, which is now under strict martial law and looks like a deserted combat zone.
“Have you come in contact with... the infected?” – Scarlet
So the story continues in a quiet English countryside manor. Donald Harris (Robert Carlyle) and his wife Alice (Catherine McCormack) live in constant fear of possible attack from drooling disease infected folk.
Stealing intimate moments where they can, living with a handful of survivors a sudden knock at the door interrupts them as they are sitting down for a meager meal. Screams of terror from a young boy pleading for entry swiftly descends into a startling assault.
Fighting for their lives and vastly outnumbered as swarms of flesh eaters smash the cottage that only moments before had been a sombre haven. As Panic rushes through Donald’s blood he sees an opportunity to escape and abandons his loved one. Fleeing the building and sprinting to safety he must now live with the guilt of his actions.
That the opening 15 minutes, putting in motion an unrelenting narrative that has Donald in the Capital where attempts to repopulate the species are not moving as planned and an inevitable resurgence is imminent.
“It all makes sense. they're executing code red. Step 1: kill the infected. Step 2: containment. if containment cannot be done then, step 3: extermination” – Scarlet
Ok I will fight of Kidman and Watts, now you get the press that encourages them.
John Doe Says:
Wider in scope, littered in bloody violence and surprisingly achieving an emotional grounding care of the family drama, this is a sequel that exceeds expectations and betters it’s original. Retaining the stark atmosphere of desolation, barren scenery and reactionary camera work it is the page turner plot, deliberate pacing and unforgiving drive to follow through that elevate this above its over hyped predecessor.
Replacing Danny Boyle in the driver’s seat is Spanish wunderkind Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (Intacto) who’s euro-style adds a fresh, uncensored momentum. Turbulent onscreen chills, jumps and thrills teeter on the precipice of resembling a hand held Michael Bay remake of Blair Witch Project. That it never descends into mindless violence is due to the clever, purposeful screenplay and the Directors comprehension of swift editing that sears necessary information in concise bursts.
The straight faced performances are impressive. Robert Carlyle (Trainspotting, Ravenous) has the most interesting part, boldly willing to be labelled a coward who’s primal survival instinct dominates over the love for his wife. Subtly gaining our trust and sympathy but never losing the element of danger.
Rose Byrne (Sunshine, Dead Girl, I capture the Castle, City of Ghosts, Goddess of 67) is John Doe’s favourite Aussie actress and although here she doesn’t get to do much other than stereo-type she performs admirably and convinces as a pretty doctor who must go beyond her duty as a healer.
Jeremy Renner (Dharma) as the unfortunate sniper who gets a conscience when the bullets are aimed at the innocent has some great lines and he makes his time memorable.
I hate to give the nod to the kids in the film, but Imogen Poots (V for Vendetta) and Mackintosh Muggelton (Harry Potter joke withheld) give true feeling to their characters.
John Doe was underwhelmed by the original 28 Days Later, not terrible, but missing its potential. Feeling like an expansion of the novel Last Man on Earth with an ending so bad the filmmakers knew it and inserted a better one after the closing credits.
This sequel manages to refine all the mistakes of the first and the result is a fun amusement park ride with bite. More raw terror than Johnny could stand didn’t come from the movie itself though, it was the fact this was not the only Horror movie sequel he watched on Saturday night that bested its pedestrian source, a rare supernatural occurrence. Or could this be the start of a trend? JD hopes not because even doing this post commending a 2nd instalment has felt like blasphemy.
The DVD:
Transfer: Widescreen/5.1 Dolby Digital
Extras: Unpreviewed
The Trailer
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Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I cant imagine anyone who liked the first one not enjoying this sequel....it just took it all to another level while still retaining the mood.
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
I thought this one was worse than the original, though I agree the first one didn't really live up to its potential. I didn't like the screenplay of this sequel, and found the kids irritating as hell. A lot of it felt cliched to me.
That being said, the opening scene was one of the most gripping that I've seen in a recent horror movie since the Dawn of the Dead remake. It gnawed at you till you were exhausted. Robert Carlyle, well! Begbie on the run!
Pretty huge budget for this one.
The ending left it wide open for a third one, eh?
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I normally hate kids in film too, but this pair didn't grate on me as much because of the sorrow and terror in their eyes. (Still the kids in Frailty rank as the best other than Caleb in American Gothic)
The script I thought avoided stereotype by maintaining momentum and minimizing exposition. This genre has been done to death and I found whenever it hit familiar territory it made sure to inject surprises visually or distract with high tension.
That opening is a cracker, I also really enjoyed that the film followed through with the extremities of the solution. (Eg: Slaughter of innocence without sympathy or retribution)
Though the budget was more than the first I thought it still retained a low budget urgency and was refreshingly low on CGI.
Could it have ended any other way?
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner
I thought 28 days later was a pretty exciting horror/sci-fi movie complete with a cool soundtrack and lots of dead blood-soaked bodies..
LOL
But the trailer for this one seems pretty cool too!
And, btw, I loved Ravenous!
Great review!
Take care,
Nick
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Check out Sunshine and the others I mentioned in the review to get an idea of Rose's range..
Hi Nick,
If you liked the original I think this one will also leave you in a flesh tearing frenzy.