When "28 Days Later" was released back in 2002, it was one of those many apocalyptic films that was fairly popular for its day, although Danny Boyle directing, simply made the film sing. Well, it's now been 22 years later and we are offered "28 Years Later" which was equally well directed by the incomparable Danny Boyle.
It's been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, and now, still in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amidst the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily-defended causeway. When two of the group leaves the island, Jimmy (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his son, Spike (Alfie Williams), on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, they discover secrets, wonders and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well. After a point, young Spike decides to take his sick mom, Isla (Jodie Comer) to see if he can find a doctor he's heard of on the mainland, Dr Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) to see if he can heal his mom, without the knowledge of anyone, including his dad. And they end up getting more than they bargained for.
Others to round out the cast are Rocco Haynes as young Jimmy, Jack O'Connell as Sir Jimmy Crystal, Edvin Ryding as Erik, Christopher Fulford as Sam, Haley Flaherty as Jimmy's aunty and Harriet Taylor as Jimmy's cousin Delilah.
This was clearly well dissected and delineated by director Danny Boyle ("Shallow Grave" '94, "Trainspotting" '96, "A Life Less Ordinary" '97, "The Beach" 2000, "28 Days Later" '02, "Millions" '04, "Sunshine" '07, "Slumdog Millionaire" '08, "127 Hours" '10, "Trance" '13, "Steve Jobs" '15, "T2 Trainspotting" '17, "Yesterday" '19) plus TV, TV movies, a music video and a short. Considering this filmmaker's resume, it's no wonder that this was precisely directed with such intensity that crept up on the audience in such a subtle way that, after a point, it takes one by surprise. It was executed well by writer Alex Garland ("28 Days Later" '02, "Sunshine" '07, "Never Let Me Go" '10, "Dredd" '12, "Ex Machjna" '14, "Annihilation" '18, "Men" '22, "Civil War" '24, "Warfare" '25) plus TV, music videos and novels. Since this writer has been involved in other Boyle's projects, including this film, undoubtedly was the obvious choice to write this film. Certainly it was strongly written, but other than a couple of places that were slightly inconsistent and some issues of continuity, this was the film that anyone that is a fan of this franchise would expect. I really don't think that Boyle could get any other writer that could follow his way of thinking than Garland. Even though there was a good deal of gore (hey, it's a zombie film), it was still toned down a bit. In my opinion, I feel that creating this premise as being its root being a virus makes this even more 'believable', instead of it being just another horror film, kind of like "World War Z".
Certainly if you like zombie films, or more to the point, this film's predecessor, you will revel with this next installment. It has all a fan would expect, and best of all, Danny Boyle directs. And with that, how bad could this be? Could there be a sequel? Not sure, but it does leave the audience with wondering.
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: R 115mins.
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