28 Weeks Later

I like survival stories in a world changed by a cataclysmic event. It is what has always drawn me to movies such as Romero's Dead Films. Dawn of the Dead is not the best acted film in the world, it is not even the best written film. But the thought of living in a ruined world populated by the Dead fascinates me.

28 Weeks Later, the sequel to 28 Days Later, starts off running. Literally. The Zombies of 28 are a different breed than Romero's. They are the result of an infection known as the Rage Virus. Once bitten(the virus is transmitted by saliva or blood), a person becomes infected in a matter of seconds. Also, unlike Romero, they do not shamble along. They run. And they run fast.

But apparently, if you cut off (or consume) the food supply, they eventually starve to death and die. And that is what has happened. The virus was contained to England, and the US has set up a green zone where repatriation can begin for Britons lucky enough to be out of the country when the virus broke out and for those who did survive. One of the survivors turns out to be a carrier, and well...you can guess that Zombies start to run around again.

The re-infection is simply delicious. You actually figure it out once it starts to unfold. If you saw Grind House you will find a similar helicopter scene. Somehow, it is more believable in this film, although utterly impossible. But who is going to argue semantics when you are watching a zombie film? A night vision technique used in Blair Witch to promote claustrophobia is also employed.

I found the film to be a great opening salvo to summer. The film is like Aliens in that it is a roller coaster ride through the Spook House. It's fast, there are some scares and some gross outs, but, it is fun. The acting is good and (like Aliens) it stands on it's own, not requiring you to see 28 Days.