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The director/producer team that created Trainspotting turn their dynamic cinematic imaginations to the classic science fiction scenario of the last people on Earth. Jim (Cillian Murphy) wakes up from a coma to find London deserted--until he runs into a mob of crazed plague victims. He gradually finds other still-human survivors (including Naomie Harris), with whom he heads off across the abandoned countryside to find the source of a radio broadcast that promises salvation. 28 Days Later is basically an updated version of The Omega Man and other post-apocalyptic visions; but while the movie may lack originality, it makes up for it in vivid details and creepy paranoid atmosphere. 28 Days Later's portrait of how people behave in extreme circumstances--written by novelist Alex Garland (The Beach)--will haunt you afterward. Also featuring Brendan Gleeson (The General, Gangs of New York) and Christopher Eccleston (Shallow Grave, The Others). --Bret Fetzer
Product Description
Hailed as the most frightening film since The Exorcist, acclaimed Director Danny Boyle's visionary take on zombie horror "isn't just scary…it's absolutely terrifying" (Access Hollywood).
An infirmary patient awakens from a coma to an empty room…in a vacant hospital…in a deserted city. A powerful virus, which locks victims into a permanent state of murderous rage, has transformed the world around him into a seemingly desolate wasteland. Now a handful of survivors must fight to stay alive, unaware that the worst is yet to come…
There is very little about this movie that can be considered "horror" per se. At best, in this sense, the film is a suspense flick, with a somewhat spooky score/soundtrack (that added plenty to the tension in its atmosphere), and a great cast who portrayed the best and worst traits in human nature.
I can understand those who give the movie a bad review since they were expecting something extremely scary (that's the way in which it is being marketed) and ended up watching an intelligent, well presented study in good and evil, right vs. wrong, loyalty vs. survival, and many other concepts that one wouldn't expect from a "horror" flick. This movie, in that sense, simply was not what the average goer was promised.
Now, as far as good films are concerned, this is definitely a worthy effort. It has more depth than one could ever expect; the cinematography is done extremely well; and the acting is superb (even on the part of the nearly silent and secondary infected characters). The symbolism is one that the average movie watcher might not get, especially if they're looking for two hours of gore or scary moments (there are very few of those, as the director clearly preferred to refrain from using extremely graphic imagery).
Indeed, what makes this film a valuable one is the social criticism and the analysis of human nature that it presents. What is more important, survival or friendship/family? Are the ethics of scientific research being checked to prevent the creation of harmful agents (even if not as tragic and extreme as what we see in this film)? Is it worth fighting for one's life when hope is dim or even non-existant? Many more questions arise and give extreme value to this film. This is definitely an excellent example of existentialist movie making. Whether it is a horror film or not becomes irrelevant once you observe its true meaning.
So, if you are the kind of person who enjoys trashy and bloody films like the Jason or Freddy "epics," or if you cannot handle too much thinking while at the theatre, then this is not a movie for you. If you've enjoyed "smart" flicks like "Lost Highway," "Frailty," or "The Ring," then this is definitely for you. You will feel good about seeing this one, even though it portrays so many bad and ugly things about us as "humans."
49 of 80 people found the following review helpful:
28 Days Later is stylish, lonely, bloody, desperate, wet, violent, frantic, thoughtful, scary and, ultimately, hopeful. Danny Boyle artfully directs Alex Garland's script while paying homage to movies like the Omega Man and George Romero's Dead trilogy. As hard as it is for me to say, 28 Days is a much better film than any of the films mentioned above.
The movie focuses on the people who have not been infected with a virus that turns humans into rage filled zombies. In fact, the zombies only make a few screen appearances, the fear factor of the movie coming mainly from the reactions of the uninfected people to their situation. The main characters are well acted and I cared about what happened to them. Visually the movie is a masterpiece and the scenes in an empty London are incredible.
I recommend 28 Days Later to fans of the other movies mentioned above or anybody looking for a thoughtful, scary zombie film. People looking to pull their brain out for a few hours or for non-stop gore and zombies will most likely be disappointed.
Customer Reviews
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Starts great, peters out, lame finish, May 25, 2007
The first 30 minutes are great storytelling as Jim awakens from his coma and grapples with a whole new world. The intro of Selena, Hannah, and her father are all well done.
Once this team reaches the compound the story goes flat. I understand the idea of spinning a tale of survivalist compound, but the military characters are done in two dimensions, with many hoary stereotypes. They are portrayed as primitive frat boys, when a much darker, Darwinian turn of the script is called for here. Could you imagine if the commander had proposed it was their duty to start repopulating the earth...that would have been compelling.
The ending is standard movie stuff found in any Hollywood action movie. So 28 Days Later peters out in a less than satisfying ending.
I cannot understand why this movie is so popular. Every critic around praised it as groundbreaking. It's not! It's a remake of Romero's Day of the Dead. The only changes are British accents, running zombies, and a horrid, nightmarishly happy ending. It starts great. You will never forget the first 30 minutes of this movie. Then, it all goes sour. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't suck (except for that ending)- it's not even that bad- it's just a remake of Day of the Dead. This is blatant plaigerism being praised as groundbreaking. I was terribly dissapointed.
My sister wanted to see this film prior to the release of the sequel. Boy I'm glad she did! This was just the type of horror film I like. Interesting plot, great characters and no huge amount of gore!
When Jim awakens alone in the hospital he discovers he is in a world ravaged by a plague: Rage. Rescued by a small group of survivors Jim, soon learns that this new world has harsh new rules. Teaming up with other survivors the small group decides to travel north in response to a mysterious radio announcement. Will they find salvation or damnation?
I really loved this film. Jim was particularly hot, and I loved the relationship between him and his lady friend. The ending dragged a bit at the military camp, but overall an excellent film. 5 stars.
To call "28 Days Later" a zombie flick is to cheapen it. These aren't zombies, they're people who have been infected with "rage" -- a virus. They don't come back from the dead, they're just highly aggressive and their only goal is to spread the infection in a violent manner. The primary focus of this movie is to show how a handful of people who have survived thus far deal with the consequences that the infection has had on their lives. As you can imagine, some people handle the situation differently. A story of human nature at both its best and worst.
Theatrical Release Information
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