Well, here we are again. It only feels like a few months ago when I was reviewing the Phantasm series last Halloween. So what do I do this year? Review another franchise or just another four random horrors? I’m doing the latter but with a theme. The four films I’ll be reviewing will be sequels to horrors I’ve reviewed in previous Octobers. Hence, I’m titling this Halloween ‘Sequel Month.’

Up first is a sequel to one of the very first films I reviewed on this blog, all the way back in 2015. I was very scathing in my review of 28 Days Later, I was younger and more pretentious back then, giving it a harsh 5 out of 10. If I reviewed it today, I’d probably give it a 6 or a 7.

28 Weeks Later concerns the reconstruction of Britain following the starvation of the infected. The U.S. Army are restoring order and welcoming returning citizens. Don and his two children Tammy and Andy are among them, reuniting after being separated during the epidemic. Unfortunately, the rage virus is still present and a family reunion may be what it needs to return.

In comparison, there are some things that the sequel does better than the original such as creating more engaging characters and weaving a more enthralling plot. However, 28 Weeks Later lacks the realism and grittiness of the original and focuses more on gore and action. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing is a matter of opinion.

The Characters

Don, Tammy and Andy are our principle characters. As soon as we meet them there is drama and conflict. Don abandoned his wife during an attack from the infected, a shameful act he leaves out when telling his children of their mother’s death. Tammy and Andy are overwhelmed with grief, hurt by the absence of their mother and their home, which is outside the safe zone.

You immediately empathize with these characters and have no idea where they’re going to go. Unfortunately, they don’t really go far. Following their introduction, the film focuses more on action and the threat of the virus. At that point, the characters sort of take a backseat, occasionally being brought up in the middle of the action but not getting much attention.

This is a pity as compared to the characters of 28 Days Later, Don, Tammy and Andy are much more interesting.

The Plot

The opening scene is simply incredible. It’s intense, it’s emotional, it’s scary, it’s action packed and it’s vital to the rest of the story. It’s amazing, arguably better than the rest of the film.

At the end of the first act, there’s a pretty unexpected plot twist. I won’t spoil it but it’s interesting and you’ll never see it coming. Sadly it doesn’t really get fleshed out as the plot then centres on the return of the rage virus. This is where the film really indulges in action and gore. The infection spreads like wildfire, producing hundreds of zombies. The army proceeds to attack, using snipers and bombers to eliminate the epidemic. Anyone who was unconvinced by the original’s small-scale presentation of a zombie apocalypse will be pleased by the swarms of zombies presented here.

The film also becomes more of an action thriller as the goals of the characters is to escape the city before either the infected or the army gets them. However, despite the abundance of shooting and explosions, horror is still present. The scenes of Andy and Tammy fleeing from the infected are unbearably tense, on par with the heart-racing chases of 2004’s Dawn of the Dead.

Overall I think 28 Weeks Later is a different animal to 28 Days Later. The original is more focused on tone and realism while the sequel is more focused on character and action. Personally, I prefer 28 Weeks Later. It’s not as groundbreaking as the original but I found it to be a lot more memorable.

I give 28 Weeks Later a solid 7 out of 10.