28 Days Later in 2002 was an outstanding entry into the zombie movie genre, with the novelty of it being set in the UK and having fast moving zombies. The sequel, 28 Weeks Later (2007) was not as good but still provided some chilling moments. Twenty-three years after the first film in the series, the original director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland, return for this third instalment.
Twenty-eight years after the Rage Virus escaped a medical research laboratory, survivors have found ways to exist amidst the infected. One group lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily defended causeway. A father, Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) takes his 12 year old son, Spike (Alfie Williams) to the mainland to teach him how to kill the infected. Whilst there, Spike learns about a doctor who has somehow survived and decides to take his sick mother, Isla (Jodie Comer) to him.
The best way I can describe this film is patchy. There are some very good sequences such as when Spike and Jamie cross the causeway. Their journey is intercut with shots from old films, most notably Olivier’s Henry V and is soundtracked by Boots by Rudyard Kipling. It is a very original few minutes. Once at the mainland, the pair are chased by the infected which is well-staged sequence, as is when Spike and Isla getting trapped on a train. But other parts drag with moments of portentousness and one of my bug bears, dream sequences.
There are surprisingly some laughs after a Swedish soldier rescues Spike and the use of music, particularly East Hastings’ by Godspeed You! Black Emperor is impressive. Ralph Fiennes makes a welcome appearance as the doctor, and Comer is good in a tough role.
But I am not sure that the decision to make a young boy the lead character was the best one because some of his choices are frustrating and the frankly weird ending felt like a cynical attempt to set up a sequel and helped to make the film feel incomplete. Upon investigation afterwards, I found out a trilogy has been planned which I suppose is inevitable.
Rating: 6.5 out of 10