There are sequels you wait for with bated breath, clinging to the memory of a film that redefined a genre. 28 Days Later was one of those films; a lightning strike that revitalized zombie horror for a new generation. So, when we heard Danny Boyle was returning to the director’s chair for 28 Years Later, our expectations were incredibly high. We had looked forward to it for years, hoping for a return to that same raw, relentless energy that made the original a classic.
Perhaps our expectations were too high. We walked out of the theater with a profound sense of disappointment, bewildered by many of the creative choices made in this long-awaited follow-up.
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A Story That Struggles to Connect
The film's premise involves a community of survivors on an island who send a boy and his father to the zombie-infested mainland for a rite of passage. The boy, after a harrowing encounter, comes to believe a mysterious doctor on the mainland can save his ailing mother. This decision to return to the danger zone becomes the catalyst for the main plot.
While the story moves at a brisk pace, it felt like it did so at the expense of character development. We found it difficult to build a strong connection with the main characters or to become fully invested in their motivations. Key plot points seemed to service the setup for a future sequel rather than enriching the current story, a narrative choice that left us feeling disconnected from the immediate stakes.
A Different Kind of Threat
A hallmark of the 28 Days world was its terrifyingly fast and ferocious infected. The sequel takes a significant risk by altering this formula, introducing new variants of the infected, including slower ones. For us, this change didn't entirely work. It seemed to dilute the unique and terrifying nature of the original threat, reducing the relentless tension we had come to expect from the series.
The filmmaking itself contained stylistic choices that also gave us pause. Some of the frantic, jarring camera work during action sequences, likely intended as an homage to the original, felt more distracting than immersive this time around, pulling us out of the experience rather than heightening the fear.
Strong Performances in a Shaky Story
Even with our issues with the story, we were very impressed by some of the acting. The young actor playing the central protagonist delivers a powerful and convincing performance, carrying a significant emotional weight throughout the film. He successfully portrays a character forced to grow up far too quickly under devastating circumstances. Likewise, the actor playing a weary doctor on the mainland does commendable work with his role, bringing a sense of gravitas to his scenes.
These performances were genuine high points, showcasing talented actors making the most of the material they were given.
Our Final Take
For fans who hold the original film in such high regard, 28 Years Later may feel like a significant departure from what made the series so special. It takes narrative and conceptual risks that, in our opinion, don't always pay off and ultimately fail to recapture the visceral horror and emotional depth of its predecessor.
While some viewers may certainly find enjoyment in this new direction for the franchise, for us, it was a sequel that couldn't quite escape the long shadow of its iconic original. It was not the revival we had hoped for, but a chapter that left us thinking more about what could have been.
$49.99
$29.96
4.86 out of 5 stars
28 Years Later - 4K UHD Blu-ray Combo
Experience the chilling thrill of this cult classic like never before in stunning 4K quality
Product information
Product Review Score
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