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28 Weeks Later [Blu-ray] [2007]


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Editorial
Product Description

Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne, Jeremy Renner, Amanda Walker, Shahid Ahmed, Harold Perrineau, Catherine McCormack

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Put that cynical look away, because the critics were right. 28 Weeks Later really is a sequel that delivers, that expands on the original, and in many ways even surpasses it.

Faithful in many ways to the enjoyable, if derivative, 28 Weeks Later, this sequel sees original director Danny Boyle (who went off to make Sunshine instead) replaced by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo behind the camera (director of the excellent Spanish film Intacto). And Fresnadillo is an inspired choice, putting together a film that’s not bereft of flaws of its own, but one that proves to be an ambitious and surprisingly thought-provoking follow-up.

Many of the building blocks are the same. Primarily set over six months after the Rage virus engulfed Britain, turning many of its inhabitants into deadly zombie-esque creatures in the process, the film this time though sees the American military arrive to help sort things out. Only things quickly go wrong, allowing Fresnadillo to mould a pacey, exciting and desperately enjoyable action carnival, that’s got a little more under the surface.

Grounded by Robert Carlyle as one of the survivors of the virus, replete with his kids in tow, 28 Weeks Later skilfully navigates the labyrinth of sequel hell and really, really delivers. What’s more, it opens up the enticing possibility of a further sequel, and on the evidence of this film, that’s a very welcome thought.

28 Weeks Later, like its predecessor, isn’t a film for the faint-hearted, and wholesome family entertainment it absolutely isn’t. But it’s a very good, energetic horror movie, and far, far better than you might've originally given it credit for. --Jon Foster

Plenty of blue tones on Blu Ray
Review date: 2008-06-24 Rating: 8 out of 10

It always frustrates me when people review the blu ray version of something, and then fail to mention how well it travels to this stunning new HD format. After all, if you weren't interested in that aspect of it, you would have stuck with DVD right?

28 Weeks Later is a sequel to the sleeper hit 28 Days Later, which was of course famous for being shot in a part-verite manner on video instead of film. This sequel obviously has a much bigger budget and scope (many of the aerial scenes of a deserted London obviously benefit from CGI, and there are some really big action setpieces involving snipers, helicopters and even the firebombing of the entire Isle of Dogs). However, it also (largely successfully) tries to maintain that gritty, handheld look that marked the first one. The editing is flash and distracting in places, but overall gives it a polish and shine lacking in the first movie.

All this is well and good, and in many places quite effective (the opening flight from the farmhouse has plenty of shocks for example) but sometimes the use of extreme close-ups, slow-motion blurs and rapid jump-cuts can be a bit jarring on the senses. The score is truly awful too, and barely works at any point, but is sparse enough not to matter overall.

However, by and large this is a good addition to the zombie genre (not that the film-makers would ever use that word, as of course these creatures are "rage virus victims") and gore-fans will have plenty to enjoy (the infamous helicopter rotor scene is a hoot - like Dawn of the Dead's on speed, times one hundred).

The synopsis covers the plot and actors well enough, so I won't rehash it here save to say that, pleasingly for a Brit like myself, while this film starts out with that confident Pearl Harbour and U571 feeling that the US military can solve everything, to see them drop the ball big-time as their self-righteous "might is right" attitude unravels is a nice twist, and smacks of more than a little Iraq allegory.

As far as the blu ray transfer goes, it picks up the grimy, largely grey and blue palette of the film beautifully. There are times when, thanks to the transfer, you become very aware of different lenses being used, and also that the focus puller isn't always at the top of their game. This actually kind of helps the tone of the film, as similar effects do in the reimagined Battlestar Galactica, and so I'm not sure if it was deliberate or not. It's something the resolution of ordinary DVD is unlikely to highlight though. The jar between ultra-sharp and slightly blurred shots is something relatively easy to adjust to anyway, and it doesn't happen often.

The resolution also amplifies the grain inherent where gain has been ramped up for nighttime and low-light filming, and largely shows just how impressive and convincing the CGI is compared to something with a much bigger budget like I Am Legend.

One or two shots show their digital origins thanks to the high definition, often just fillers like a scene with a Chinook landing early on in the film. These are shots that would make no difference to the film had they been merely absent, but I suppose this was to help build a convincing picture of a US occupation force that had to be fabricated without the actual help of the US military (the only real helicopter ever used is a French Gazelle).

The DTS sound is rich and sharp, although there are times when the rear speakers seem surprisingly quiet. The extras are a mix of deleted scenes, making ofs etc., etc.

All in all this is a fine film on a fine blu ray - but UK owners make sure you get the region B copy. The region A one is not compatible with UK players or Playstation 3s.



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Reviews


28 weeks later
Review date: 2007-12-31 Rating: 6 out of 10

ok but not as good as 28 days later.

A bit too predictable

Great picture, good film
Review date: 2007-12-11 Rating: 8 out of 10

I had read some bad reviews about this film. One of the main criticisms is that Danny Boyle did not direct the sequal. However, fans of the first film will not be disappointed. There is plently of action and the film is never dull.

The film follows Robert Carlyle's cowardly escape from an attack of the infected. He leaves his wife stranded and saves his own life. Eventually, he is forced to confront what he has done and pays the ultimate price.

The sub plot is essentially that London is under the control of American armed forces who are culling the infected and have created a safe zone in London's Docklands. Predictably, another outbreak occurs and all hell breaks loose. Cue music from first film!

Again, there are some eerie scenes of a desolate London inspired by the first film. The blue ray quality is superb and adds to the impact of this fast paced action horror. Perhaps most original is the use of a helicopter to eviscerate the infected hoards!

Anybody who enjoyed the first film or is a fan of zombie type movies will almost certainly enjoy this sequal.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Robert Carlyle
Rose Byrne
Mackintosh Muggleton
Imogen Poots
Catherine McCormack

Creators:
Robert Carlyle (Primary Contributor)
Imogen Poots (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
EAN: 5039036035095
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-10-29
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Running time: 96 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2007

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