luke
07-07-2003, 11:53 AM
I'm a big fan of zombie movies. Though I am not a gore fetishist or really even a horror fan. Something about the shambling dead, unstoppable and hungry, tweaks my inner geek.
28 Days Later is a new british film by the director of Trainspotting. It's loosely a "zombie movie" for the 2000s. Creating a balance between genre stereotypes and conventions, modern updates and some new bits, the film deeply satisfies.
No contemporary mainstream film can truly terrify its audience any more. These days the film-going public is just largely too sophisticated for fainting and screaming. But 28 Days Later manages to maintain an intense edge that will likely keep you hooked, if not out right scared. I was in shell-shock during a few moments of the film, and I confess that I had trouble getting to sleep later that night.
Like all of the best genre films--Alien, Bladerunner, Fellowship-- 28 Days, filters and reflects everything through the very human perspective of its protagonist. In doing so it manages to raise questions about the nature of human violence and savagery--is it ever justified?--and it brings into question the actual benefit of civilization. Kind of a "If this is salvation, I want Hell."
Beyond all that, the film is beautifully shot-- a mix of film and video. The performances are good--Brandon Gleason's long cameo is a balm. He's really quite a good actor. The leads' performances are also quite enjoyable. Lastly, the soundtrack is modern and edgy without being bombastic or full of Linkin Park-Rob Zombieisms.
Highly recommended.
-abzu
28 Days Later is a new british film by the director of Trainspotting. It's loosely a "zombie movie" for the 2000s. Creating a balance between genre stereotypes and conventions, modern updates and some new bits, the film deeply satisfies.
No contemporary mainstream film can truly terrify its audience any more. These days the film-going public is just largely too sophisticated for fainting and screaming. But 28 Days Later manages to maintain an intense edge that will likely keep you hooked, if not out right scared. I was in shell-shock during a few moments of the film, and I confess that I had trouble getting to sleep later that night.
Like all of the best genre films--Alien, Bladerunner, Fellowship-- 28 Days, filters and reflects everything through the very human perspective of its protagonist. In doing so it manages to raise questions about the nature of human violence and savagery--is it ever justified?--and it brings into question the actual benefit of civilization. Kind of a "If this is salvation, I want Hell."
Beyond all that, the film is beautifully shot-- a mix of film and video. The performances are good--Brandon Gleason's long cameo is a balm. He's really quite a good actor. The leads' performances are also quite enjoyable. Lastly, the soundtrack is modern and edgy without being bombastic or full of Linkin Park-Rob Zombieisms.
Highly recommended.
-abzu