HERE'S that rarity - a sequel that's every bit as good, I'm even inclined to say better, than the original. The creative team behind 28 Days Later (director Danny Boyle, producer Andrew Macdonald, writer Alex Garland) are still involved as producers on this follow-up, with directing duties passing to Juan Carlos Fresnadillo.
He does a very good job at cranking up the suspense and upping the gore factor as the rage virus that virtually wiped out mainland Britain in the first film resurfaces. First, we get a reminder of the terror in store as we witness a family barricaded in an isolated cottage come under attack from the infected gangs of flesh-ripping, gutspilling, arm-pulling zombies.
They may not have died and risen from the grave but their anti-social behaviour is definitely what you expect of the undead. The US army has ridden, like the cavalry in westerns, to the rescue of us Brits yet again. They're in charge of the community of survivors and ready to rebuild the country.
They've reckoned without Alice (McCormack), the wife that Don (Carlyle) left behind to die in the attack on their home. He ran for his life and is now living in safety with their children (Poots and Muggleton).
She's carrying the virus but a rare genetic condition means she hasn't turned into a blood dribbling killer. But one kiss from her could be your last. An American virus expert (Byrne), a sniper (Renner) and helicopter pilot (Perrineau) are others whose fate is tied to the family in crisis. Why 28 Weeks Later works so well is because you're never sure who's go to live or die, or be left somewhere in between.
The story is constantly taking you by surprise. Fresnadillo doesn't miss a trick to make you jump or go "yuk". Sudden noises, bloody figures leaping out of the dark and even the old routine with a car that won't start as zombies smash in the windows all used to great effect.
Stars: Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne, Jeremy Renner, Harold Perrineau, Catherine Mccormack, Mackintosh Muggleton, Imogen Poots, Idris Elba
Running time: 100 mins
Rating: Four stars
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