The
lowdown: Another film in the end-of-the-world-or-civilisation-as-we-know-it
genre, although '28 Days Later'
is considerably better than
its predecessors. It tells the story of four survivors of a deadly plague
that was unwittingly unleashed when animal activists raid a research facility.
Jim (played by Cillian Murphy) wakes from a coma to find
both the hospital and London
deserted, except for packs of feral humans. Jim eventually meets other
survivors -
Selena, a pharmacist before
the disease called 'Rage' was unleashed, and Frank and Hannah, a father
and daughter
who have holed up in an
apartment tower. The foursome pick up a radio broadcast and decide to go
to Manchester
to see if the soldiers who
set up the broadcast are still alive.
The small group of soldiers
is led by Major Henry West (Christopher Eccleston), and have set up a military
base in
an abandoned mansion.
West reveals the true nature of 'the answer to Infection' that was promised
in the radio
transmission, and his plans
to rebuild civilisation. Not surprisingly, this involves Selena and Hannah,
because he
has promised to give his
soldiers some uninfected women. Jim will not allow this, and is chained
up when he tries
to protect the women. Naturally
he escapes and the soldiers meet a grisly end.
'28 Days Later' is an excellent
film with a good script and great acting. The scenes of a deserted London
in particular
are well-done, and the theme
of a deadly virus wiping out most of the country is timely given the ongoing
concerns
about bird flu. While it
is often described as a zombie film, this is inaccurate, and in fact director
Danny Boyle says
it is a drama film rather
than science fiction or horror. Despite the themes of death and violence,
it is indeed the
interaction between the
characters that is at the heart of '28 Days Later'.
Trivia:
There are plans for a sequel, to be called '28 Weeks Later'.
Quotes:
'This is what I've
seen in the four weeks since infection. People killing people.
Which is much what
I saw in the four weeks before infection, and the four weeks
before that, and
before that as far as I care to remember, people killng people. |
Video
Clips:
Major
Henry West (3.8mb)
Jim
and Major West (3.3mb)
Private
Mailer (3.5mb)
West
and the mutants (4.7mb) |
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