Let's just say that London is a fairly large playground for certain coincidental? events to happen and not just once. Overall the most powerful element of the film isn't really character based, but rather the theme of a terrible pandemic that, besides a small twist, isn't much changed from the first movie.There is one facet of the film that I did not really appreciate, but can't really detail without a spoiler warning. Other than a brief, but informative back-story conversation near the beginning, there is almost no down time spent wasted? on emerging relationships or overly granular side-stories. Which although short in running time at just over 1:30 with quite a fast pace, still seemed very much long enough to be perfectly enjoyable, especially for any fan of the genre. There is very little breathing room, and some of it is more disturbing and far less bridled than you might be expecting, especially if you are used to the character-based 'safety' of most films.Unlike 28 Days, a flashpan start to 28 Weeks Later sets the tone for the entire film. Note that if you were able to get away with seeing 28 Days Later as a date movie, you may not pull it off with 28 Weeks. But let not those minor irritations get to your enjoyment. I noted at least 2 jarring cuts during scenes of blood lust. If there's a gripe, it'll again be the local distributor's decision to release this movie censored for its gory scenes. For those in need of geography lessons, yes, those are the white cliffs of Dover. But indeed, there is great potential towards developing a cult following. Making it more difficult this time round, is the escape from the weapons of mass destruction sorry, couldn't resist that one that the US forces unleash, and with the snazzy CG effects, these scenes become a sight to behold, without going over the top with the effects.I like many scenes in the movie, which I will not describe lest to spoil them for you. And what makes it horrific is if you were to put yourself running away from these folks, you'll wonder exactly how long you can outlast them before they finally get to you, from all directions. They're stealthy and waste no time, with the tenacity of mad rabid dogs pouncing on you with their thick bloody drool. It's one thing to pay lip service, and another when there's a call to action.I've said it before, the running zombies are a sight to behold. And self- sacrifice is often a common element in zombie movies, and I thought this was handled extremely well, especially in the Carlyle's character. Probably cuts a little close to the real world, but what the heck, leave those thoughts aside and enjoy the movie.It's no surprise too that while it's nice to see a crisis plan kick in when things go awry, there are enough moments which make you think twice about collateral damage in the name of greater good, and how one thing leads to another, and finally to extermination. What I thought if I read too deep into it, is the showcase of the US military being yet the armed forces occupying a land that is not theirs, imposing a safe, and highly secured "green zone" for the incoming residents to reside in, while everything outside that zone is deemed the wild west, reeked with rotting bodies and the potential of a deadly virus rearing its ugly head, ready to spark a pandemic. We revisit the quiet streets of London again, like in 28 Days Later, with recognizable landmarks void of people, and the city having been ravaged, now undergoes repopulation by those who managed to leave the initial onslaught of the Rage virus.Before you scream "Resident Evil!" because of the similarities, be rest assured that this movie beats those in the Milla Juvovich vehicle anytime. The horrific opening scene would have to be one of the best in the movie, before we're fast forwarded to 28 weeks later, where Robert Carlyle's Don awaits his children Andy Mackintosh Muggleton and Tammy Imoen Poots, a dead ringer for Cate Blanchett!. In fact, it plays like the memorable soundtrack composed by John Murphy who also did the predecessor movie, and allows for the calm to ring through, before the madness of a storm begins. But the movie doesn't hit the ground running. Truly terrifying ok, cos I can't run, and if caught in that kind of situation, I'll be dead meat.
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