28 Weeks Later Revisit: A Sequel Showing the Consequences of the Infected

 

Copyright © 20th Century Fox, Fox Atomic, DNA Films, Sogecine

Title: 28 Weeks Later
Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo

Sequel to: 28 Days Later

Release Date: May 11, 2007

    A zombie movie has gone so successful in both ways that there had to be a sequel. 28 Days Later was amazing, but was this one as good? Today's movie is 28 Weeks Later, the second installment in the 28 Days Later franchise. Although $8 million more than the original, this movie grossed $65.8 million against a $15 million budget during its release. Like the original, it gained positive reviews from both critics and audiences for the fresh story and opening sequence. Instead of copying what the predecessor had done, 28 Weeks Later offers us a brilliantly new glimpse at the Rage outbreak.

Summary

   "Six months after the original epidemic, the rage virus has all but annihilated the population of the British Isles. Nevertheless, the U.S. Army declares the danger past, and American soldiers arrive to restore order and begin reconstruction. Refugees return to British soil, but one of them carries a deadly secret: The virus is not gone and is even more dangerous than before." - Google

Reasons

    At the same level as the original's scary, 28 Weeks Later gives us disturbing jumpscares, flawless execution, and crazy deaths. This time, the Infected have become more advanced than before. This change allows for more jumpscares to appear throughout the journey. Even though this one has more jumpscares, they do not appear as frequently just for the sake of scaring. Next, the execution is intense enough to give anyone chills. From this movie, the most iconic scene would be the opening, which gives us the effect of the Infected. To add to the execution, the cinematography and pacing are more chaotic. The speed of the action scenes is enough to not make you sleep at night. The last of the best is the deaths that occur. Besides a good shock factor, they are also emotionally charged. Similarly, most of them are character-driven.
    The other good things about 28 Weeks Later are the new story, realistic characters, and interesting lore. People have been saying that the story is a new take on the virus outbreak. Instead of just a survival, it shows the aftermath and consequences of the Infected. Don's family dynamic also adds another layer to make it more emotional. Additionally, the characters are realistic to reflect the consequences of surviving the Infected. The protagonist, Don, shows how his actions reflect on that idea. Some other characters, like Tammy and Andy, are also down-to-earth to make the survival more engaging. Finally, the lore is as interesting as what is from the first movie. From what we can get from the opening scene, the world-building shows what happened after the Rage outbreak. Expanding on the outbreak, it shows more facts about the Rage virus.
    28 Weeks Later is a near-perfect sequel, so the only problems are a few plot holes and a main character death. Again, I don't want to spoil it, but it has to do with one new fact about the virus. Also, the death was meant to reflect on its idea, but it just lost focus on who the protagonist is.

Conclusion

    Putting things together, 28 Weeks Later is a sublime sequel that shows what would happen if you have poor survival. The shock factor and deaths just take the chaos to another level. Additionally, the emotional family dynamic makes the journey as engaging as the original. Although it is a teensy bit inferior, it is still as amazing. If you have watched the original movie, then get a look at this one as well.

    Score: 9/10 (it all begins again)