REVIEW: '28 Years Later' Is the Best Zombie Movie In Ages Despite An All-Time Strange Ending
ICYMI, the long awaited entry into the 28 Franchise (Not sure if that is the proper term but I'm rolling with it) was released over the weekend and not only did it meet the hype, it exceeded it. As someone who was very down on '28 Weeks Later' as a sequel, I was for sure a little hesitant but I am so happy to report that this one is a banger well worth going to theaters for.
In case you can't watch the video, here is a quick, spoiler-free review on what to expect.
'28 Days Later', for my money's worth, is arguably the best zombie movie ever made (you can argue that they aren't technically zombies with a wall). So you can imagine my disappointment when '28 Weeks Later', which was not directed by Danny Boyle* nor written by Alex Garland, was kind of a bummer.
*Boyle directed a couple of sequences, including the opening which is, by far, the best part of the movie
So when this late sequel was announced, I was a little hesitant. But the second Boyle and Garland were announced as the team, I was all the way back in and BOY did they not disappoint.
On the acting side, there is not a bad performance in this movie. I cannot emphasize how impressive that is considering the primary actor in the movie is a young teenager (Alfie Williams). Kid actors can derail a movie as fast as anything, but Williams made it better. ATJ isn't asked to a do a ton but he delivers alongside a really great Jodie Comer role and an even better 4th quarter showing from Ralph Fiennes. And I think Swedish actor Edvin Ryding may get lost in the fray with some of these heavy hitters, but he added a great comic relief sequence to the movie.
On the technical side, this is awesome. When you hear a movie is being shot entirely on iPhones, it's fair for your guard to go up a little. But it worked and the crazy rig they set up lead to some really cool shots.
The story is also weirdly deep in the middle and they added some cool new lore to the rage virus in the Alphas. The music, as always with Danny Boyle, was amazing. The whole soundtrack was done by a Scottish prog hip hop group 'Young Fathers' and it rocks.
The worst thing I can really say about it is that the ending is very strange. I can't really go into details without spoilers but those who watched will know. However, I am holding off true judgement on it until I see the sequel '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" which comes out in January.
Overall, it's a really good movie that I'd recommend seeing in theaters.
You can watch the full review here as well: