If you decide to see ’’28 Days Later’’, I must first warn you that it will give you goosebumps and make you think long after you leave the theatre. It is a violent, bloody, sometimes shocking film that attempts to realistically create a modern apocalypse. The film was a pretty big success in its native England and is just now being released in America. I am a fan of the director and that was my main reason for going to this film, but I also love horror films so this was right up my alley. Danny Boyle, the director of Trainspotting (1996) and The Beach (2000), was the right man to bring this vision of hell to the screen. He never lets the film go over the top and doesn’t need to fill it with unecessary action scenes. All he does is use a good script with good actors and make a very real feeling film.
The film was shot on DV, digital video, and the feel of the film is urgent and unknowing. I’m going to avoid using spoilers in this review so it may be a bit shorter than my normal reviews. I would hate to spoil any of the surprises in the film and would rather have you all go out and see it. The basic premise is that the end of the world is upon us and all survivors must run and hide or be turned into a zombie-like creature. Those are the options. By the time the film begins, it is 28 days after the outbreak of this plague. Jim awakens in a locked hospital room and we’re off and running from there. This is a film based on political decisions in our world. It is based on scientific facts that could possibly happen. Not that it will, but it could. We live in a world where the powers that be supress information in order to hold onto their power. Outbreaks of diseases aren’t paid much attention to until they get to a place like London or New York. It goes to show that self interest can help a country thrive, but can also be a downfall. I really don’t want to ruin too much of the film because it is that good. If you want a smart movie that will scare you and make you think, go see ’’28 Days Later’’!