#58, 5/12 – 28 Weeks Later (2007) (tofw)
Didn’t care for it.
I promise not to make a habit of it, but in this one case the text messages I shared with my friend A- after I saw the movie pretty much capture the most important things I have to say about it.
Me: Just saw 28 Weeks Later. Feel free to share your opinion. Rose Byrne gets more beautiful each time I see her.A-: She’s beautiful. I hated it.
Me: I didn’t hate it but I considered it a royally blown opportunity. Loved the setup but thought the second half was a complete misfire.
A-: Agreed. The whole thing lacked the original’s humanity. It kept hinting at a deeper life for the characters but never delivered.
A-: It wasn’t a worthy successor in my opinion. Also, Zombie Daddy was just dumb.
I absolutely agree with A-’s points, most especially about the humanity. I sat down and watched 28 Days Later this morning, just a few hours before I ended up catching this one. And even though I think the first film has its share of flaws, especially in the second half (but I say that about all of the Danny Boyle films I like, and let’s not get started on the ones I hate), there was something I found very compelling about the treatment all the same.
I actually think the sequel had as strong a first half as its predecessor. The little remnants of violently interrupted Life struck me even more than when the pandemic was fresh. Not just that. The remnants of life desperately affirmed in an attempt to connect to anyone who can understand three simple words—I Am Here—were very moving to me. And the idea of wanting, even needing, to return home worked at least somewhat. But. It’s the whole returning home idea which also derailed everything for me. They played that card at least once too often in setting up what was, I think, a fairly stupid plot point. And as soon as the action really kicked in, the film really lost me and I started thanking my lucky stars that the whole thing was only 90 minutes long.
But how about that Rose Byrne? I mean… gosh.