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October 14, 2007

28 Weeks Later - 5

This is a rather unofficial sequel (none of the same actors, different director and writers) to Danny Boyle and Alex Garland's (also did Sunshine together) film 28 Days Later. This film stays close to the horror genre, with a little plot near the beginning and end, to try to rescue its significance. It never really succeeds, though, as the story tries to bring coherence to a story focused on chaos. The metaphor is supposed to be Iraq apparently, with allusions to a Green Zone and the US military having power and abusing it to kill both the infected and innocents. There is also the subtext of trust between people, governments and family. But all of these don't play out well, which makes it a disappointment.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I want to see this again because the opening scene is just magnificent. Similarly, the last ten minutes or so are solid. The middle, though, lacks save for the disturbing fingers-to-the-eyes scene.

I don't mind the film's politics, as those politics actually work fairly well, what bothers me is how idiotic the plot with the kids leaving the confined safety is. It's a strategm of the horror genre, obviously, but it never feels like it's reconciled.

Paul