28 Weeks Later

IT'S so easy to be dubious but 28 Weeks Later is a gruesomely satisfying sequel in every sense of the word.
Set seven months after the Rage virus decimated Britain, the war against the infection has seemingly been won.
Aided by American soldiers, authorities are picking up the pieces of London's ravished city and survivors are being herded into a safe zone simply known as District One'.
Initially, the story focuses on Don (Robert Carlyle) who is reunited with his kids in the first wave of returning refugees.
Anxious to visit their family home, Don's kids sneak out of District One into the restricted area of the city.
But when they reach the house, they unlock a dark secret about the virus which has catastrophic consequences for the survivors.
Using much of the same soundtrack as its predecessor and relying on tension and shock value, 28 Weeks Later succeeds as a sequel because it maintains the same tone as the 2002 original.
Expect dramatic pulsing music, a lot of gore and some genuinely scary bits.
The US military response to the new outbreak of Rage is also emotive and horrific and is an obvious critique of American foreign policy of late.
Generally, 28 Weeks Later is an excellent film and almost lives up to Danny Boyle's original but there are a few snags. A couple of moments are so coincidental and convenient that it almost ruins the experience and the film's subtext is as subtle as a slap in the face.
But if you can forgive these problems, then you'll certainly enjoy the ride.

Spiderman 3

"WHERE do all these guys come from?"
Never has a truer word been spoken by arachnid hero Peter Parker in the third and possibly final instalment of the Sam Raimi opus.
Because, during the lengthy 140-minute film, Spiderman has clashed with three super villains in true comic book style.
Among the eccentric oddballs, expect a petty criminal who conveniently gets caught in an accident that displaces molecules and a parasitic meteoric black substance that engulfs its host.
Yes, Spiderman 3 is very possibly the most absurd edition of the trilogy but, if you suspend your disbelief, you will really enjoy the ride.
Set a short while after the second movie, Peter Parker has finally struck a balance between his relationship with MJ and his duties as a superhero.
But things start to unravel when his relationship becomes jeopardised and a rival is set to swipe the staff job he had lined up at the Daily Bugle.
His best friend Harry Osborn is also out for cold-blooded vengeance for Peter's role in his father's death from the first film.
The fight scenes are astounding and it really goes to show what modern special effects and a budget of more than £250 million can achieve.
It is also the darkest instalment of the trilogy as Spiderman comes to terms with his inner turmoil in and out of the suit.
This is perfectly offset with some hilarious scenes, including Peter Parker trying to play it cool' as well as an excellent cameo by cult legend Bruce Campbell as a French waiter.
In terms of story, Spiderman 3 falls flat and the message of revenge and redemption is horribly clichéd but taken at face value, the film will catch you in its web.