Fast-Paised review: '28 Weeks Later'

Zombie sequel may give you nightmares--and hearing damage

By Matt Pais

May 10, 2007

Six months after a virus infected hordes of Londoners in "28 Days Later," it's happening again. This time, American troops watch over the city, and the primary flesh at stake belongs to siblings Andy and Tammy--who may have special DNA that makes them immune to getting zombified--and their father (Robert Carlyle), who isn't quite so lucky.

Big question: Can "28 Weeks Later," directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, deliver the same intensity as "28 Days Later" without previous director Danny Boyle ("Trainspotting")?

Catch it: Like a zippier "Children of Men" with hungrier bad guys, "28 Weeks" paints a grim picture of the future that no one will be looking forward to. There's a bit of topical business--as Americans have to decide whether or not to kill innocents--but mostly this is just a straightforward scare-fest that unfolds intelligently and mines substantial terror from what's lurking in the darkness.

Skip it: If you want to believe that the U.S. military isn't arrogant about its ability to solve problems. One official thinks they don't need to worry about the virus because "If it comes back, we kill it." Piece of cake.

Bottom line: The score to "28 Weeks" is cranked at full volume, and the extras sound like they're engaged in a top-of-your-lungs-for-as-long-as-you-can screaming contest. Our advice: Bring some earplugs and hold on tight.

Bonus: Next time you're angry with one of your parents, remember that Andy and Tammy's dad abandons his wife in a time of need and eventually tries to hunt down his kids. Just a little pre-Father's Day perspective!

Matt Pais is the metromix movies producer.

----

'28 Weeks Later'

Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo; screenplay by Rowan Joffe, Fresnadillo, Enrique Lopez-Lavigne and Jesus Olmo; photographed by Enrique Chediak; edited by Chris Gill; production design by Mark Tildesley; produced by Lopez-Lavigne, Andrew MacDonald and Allon Reich. A Fox Atomic release; opens Friday. Running time: 1:31. MPAA rating: R (for strong violence and gore, language and some sexuality/nudity).

Don - Robert Carlyle

Scarlet - Rose Byrne

Doyle - Jeremy Renner

Alice - Catherine McCormack