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.