Yesterday I saw 28 Days Later. The reviewers have combined to make this one of the best rated movies of the year, which is the main reason I went to see it. Since the reviewers liked it, I thought it must have a much better plot than the typical horror movie. I was wrong. It reminds me of last year's movie (I seem to have blocked out the name of it from my mind) with Tom Cruise and the precogs which also got extremely good reviews, presumably because it seemed fresh, but the plot was so full of holes a teenager could make a pair of fashionable jeans out of it.
Anyway, here is my capsule review. I don't think there are any spoilers, since I'm not giving away any specific plot points or endings. First, you should know that the film was apparently intentionally made to look grainy and out of focus. I suppose it is supposed to add ambiance, but it didn't work for me. If I pay my $6 for a movie, I want it to be sharp, clear, and in-focus. Okay, so the premise is that some sort of extremely contagious chimpanzee virus is released near London. The virus also infects humans through blood and mucous membrane contact. Any mucous membrane contact with the blood or saliva of an infected will cause infection in about 20 seconds. When you are infected, you appear to become completely mindlessly violent and incapable of speech or thought, but actually you maintain enough of your senses to viciously attack only UNinfected people, and evidently you stop short of killing the uninfected people -- you simply bite them and then move on so that they can become like you. Oh, and infected people don't like sunlight. 28 days after the release of the virus, London is a virtual ghost-town by day. Our heroes, who have survived the first 28 days without infection each in their own way, band together and the movie follows them as they cope with what has happened, search for other survivors, and try to decide what to do. There are the expected gratuitous suspense-horror movie scenes to try to cause you to jump in your seat or lean close to whoever you came with. One thing worth noting is that there are a couple shots near the beginning with full-frontal nudity -- but probably not what most of you are expecting when I say that. Let's just say that most guys won't be thrilled, but maybe some ladies will find it amusing. There are a few engaging ideas in the film, and the acting and dialogue seemed realistic and well done. And there is an amazing climactic scene that seems to last for quite a while (I didn't time it) that is sure to get your adrenaline pumping. But overall, I can't recommend the movie unless you are just going for a little bit of mindless, adrenaline pumping entertainment. If you are looking for a well though out, science-fiction-like plot, then you will be disappointed. -- "Erik Reuter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.erikreuter.net/ _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
