28 Days Later

I was under the impression that this film was a horror film. After watching it, I cannot say I agree. It certainly has some horror like moments, but in the end, it's more of a science-fiction, end of days kind of film. The movie basically follows a young man that wakes up in the hospital and realizes that no one is around. They have all died or been infected by a virus that causes them to become zombies. More Evil Dead than Night of the Living Dead, the director Danny Boyle captures the dread the cast feels but there are no major shock moments. The horror comes more from contemplating what life would be like in an environment like this. As is usual for a Boyle film, the camera angles are interesting and unique, and I must applaud the makers of this film for not rehashing a tired plot that we have seen a million times before. Particularly of note are the shots of downtown London without a soul around. Now that was creepy.

The cast is made up of mostly people I have never heard of with the exception of Brendan Gleeson as a father trying to get himself and his daughter to safety. He does his typically superb job with this limited role. Also of note was Christopher Eccleston, a Boyle favorite (you may remember him from Shallow Grave). I swear he is the spitting image (and sounds just like) Ralph Fiennes. It's creepy. He does a fine job. The lead, played by Cillian Murphy, inhabits his character well, but in the end, I kept wishing it was Ewan McGregor. I guess it was nice to see a fresh face - I just know Ewan would have kicked ass in the role. Oh well.

All in all, it was worth my four bucks. Considering the usual crap that makes it to the silver screen each year, it's nice to see new and engaging stories being done. I think Boyle and company could have done a slightly better job here, but I can't really complain with the final product. Given that this was a stretch for him as a storyteller and director, I'll give him credit for a growth attempt and await his next effort with eagerness as I can't recall ever disliking anything he's done thus far. 28 Days Later is a worthy rental, but don't expect it to be that really scary movie you want to rent for Halloween. That is all.

Comments

[Keith Konior]

I have a yen to voice my opinion about two films. One is reviewed here, while the other is not. In the nearly ubiquitous spirit of "bad news first," I shall tell you, Hurd, and your readers about the horribly unspeakable piece of shit that is "The Matrix: Reloaded." I LOVED "The Matrix." In my opinion, it was the last major studio release that lived up to, if not transcended, the hype attached to it. It was innovative, beautiful to look at, and had a story that devilishly played upon the fears of every "anti-technology, conspiracy-theory regurgitating" draft-dodger who ever lived. The film was lean, fast and understandable. "Matrix 2" is a jumbled mess. It constantly alludes to things that were mentioned NOWHERE in the first film, the action sequences are constant, confusing and irritatingly overlong. Ahem...Long story short, I would never have imagined that I would absolutely loathe this film as much as I do, but...This one gets no stars out of five. If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and strap a mattress to your back, buy a new tube of K-Y Jelly, and walk the seedy streets of the shady neighborhood of your choice offering your booty to the highest bidder. This movie is just shockingly bad. Well, I guess it was inevitable that this would happen. The Wachowski brothers ARE Polish after all. But, if you take this film into historical consideration, I believe that it might be the worst sequel ever made. While watching it, there was me too much rolling my eyes and saying, "holy shit." Okay, I am a little tipsy and I realize that I could rant and rave about this detestably wretched film forever, but I won't. Bad fuckin' flick.

[Kristy]

Keith..you rant like a sissy. You have always ranted like a sissy. Go have another frosty beverage nancyboy.

Kristy