Rating: 3.5/5
Synopsis:
Danny Boyle and Alex Garland reunite in this long awaited legacy sequel. It’s been nearly three decades since the United Kingdom was overrun by the rage virus. Now, it is a heavily quarantined zone where the infected have managed to survive. On a remote island off the coast of the mainland, a small community exists, maintaining a heavily guarded sanctuary. A father and his son travel to the mainland to train for the dangers that exist. When the two arrive, they discover the mysteries that exist on the mainland and the mutations that have happened over the years. What follows is a shocking and unexpected series of events that leads the family to question many aspects of their future.
Positives:
Although I have my qualms with “28 Years Later”, it is a fascinating film to dissect. It’s a story that is so ambitious it’s hard not to appreciate. The film was marketed as an eerie, post-apocalyptic development of a world ravaged by a terrible virus. As expected, the film begins with a horrifying sequence of a child witnessing his family being mutilated by a pack of the infected. The first forty minutes of the film gives audiences exactly what they want: an edge of your seat zombie thriller where a father and his son journey to the mainland. Humanity has been destroyed while the virus has mutated. But there are plenty of surprises along the way as the father exposes his son to the horrifying truths of the mainland. He trains his son to hunt these monsters while learning to appreciate their small community off the mainland. We are featured to some incredible chase sequences that had my blood pressure rising to a boiling point. There is also plenty of action and violence to satisfy the gore hounds. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and his son are the main focus during this time, both of whom give terrific performances. Newcomer Alfie Williams has a difficult task but he is more than up for the challenge. His portrayal as young Spike is a complex, multifaceted performance that sets him up nicely for the sequel. I can’t wait to see where his character goes next!
The second act of the film is where the story pivots. I am surprised at the tonal shift once the state of affairs has been established. The film switches to a melancholy examination of death and how one comes to accept it. This really kicks into gear when Spike and his mother travel to the mainland to seek out the assistance of Dr. Kelson. Since Spike’s mother has a withering mental condition, they believe that the reclusive Dr. Kelson’s medical background can assist her before her condition becomes terminal. The film takes some creative swings that are unexpectedly thoughtful. I didn’t expect to get an emotional exploration of rich thematic questions about life. We see different generations learning to process grief, where the tone teeters on the darker complexities of isolationism and the humorous moments we find in these complex times. Ralph Fiennes might give the best performance of the entire film. His mysterious background but nurturing persona create a fascinating character for audiences to experience. I also can’t wait to see where his character goes in the next film.
Director Danny Boyle also takes some creative swings on a technical level. The film uses some distinct editing choices when it comes to the chase sequences, featuring quick cuts during the death scenes and some gnarly sound effects as moments of confrontation built. The cinematography is also strong, where the use of shadows and lighting craft a distinct tone in each scene. These moments highlight the terrifying feeling of being ambushed by a group of the infected, but also display a sense of awe and wonder during the softer moments. The setting is also an effective tool for creating the right mood. The isolation is evident on this remote island while the sense of community is strong. But the vastness and mystery surrounding the mainland is evident from the early stages of the film. We see different segments forming within the remote community and the infected on the mainland. The film is ultimately one of depth and emotion, transforming into a coming of age story with sprinklings of zombie mayhem rather than a fully fledged horror film. That may upset those wanting the latter but I’ll admit I was thinking about the film long after the credits rolled.
Negatives:
From the rich storytelling, fascinating thematic exploration, and tension filled zombie sequences, there is a lot to admire about “28 Years Later”. However, the film takes some unexpected risks that may cause divisive reactions. This is the definition of a critic friendly movie, where subversive marketing may lead to an unexpected experience in a good way. For audiences, this might be frustrating as the story could be seen as a bait and switch. The film’s first forty minutes give viewers exactly what they expect from the trailer. It’s tense, brutal, and serves as a direct continuation of events from the previous two films. The rest of the film is likely to split audiences as it gets more and more niche. It quickly turns into a mediation on the state of the world, focusing on the humanity involved in the chaos rather than the thrills earlier on. I believe many will feel cheated during their experience with “28 Years Later” due to the rapid tonal shifts throughout the story. One segment feels like a post apocalyptic horror film, the next is a humorous break in between, and concludes with a melancholy reflection on death and grief. The last few minutes are also quite jarring as it introduces a new set of characters that will be prominent in the next film. I believe Boyle and Garland try to do too much in one film, leaving viewers with tonal whiplash by the conclusion. There are also some gaping plotholes due to retcons from the previous film and character decisions that are extremely perplexing. Although the film has some bumps along the way, it still warrants a viewing due to its bold swings.
Conclusion:
I left “28 Years Later” with many feelings. Some bad, lots of good, but mostly a sense of stimulation that most films lately haven’t triggered. The complex nature of the story combined with thought provoking ideas make this one of the most interesting experiences I’ve had all year. The tense scenes really work, where my heart rate continued to climb as the chases ensued. I also enjoyed the interesting exploration of isolation, grief, and the decaying world around us. But there are some issues that hold the film back from being truly great. The tonal whiplash is hard to overlook as the story could have waited to shift gears until the next film. I also found some of the character choices to be frustrating. What each viewer takes away from this one will be entirely unique. This will be a divisive film among audiences due to the unexpected story directions. I certainly enjoyed most of the story but left feeling underwhelmed with other parts of it. I’d recommend tempering expectations with this one because it’s a different film than the marketing would indicate (for better or worse). But I’d encourage most to check it out as it will provide an experience like none other this year.
