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A Fox release. Written by Alex Garland; directed by Danny Boyle; starring Cillian Murphy and Naomie Harris. Released to DVD on October 21, 2003. 
With the exception of M. Night Shyamalan, the prevailing attitude in Hollywood is that in order to craft a viable horror film, you simply throw some photogenic and preferably big-breasted actors into a remote forest–the plot synopsis of Wrong Turn and the new and old Texas Chainsaw Massacres as well. While these films have their place, (generally on late night television), there isn’t really any sense of artistry to them. Jiggle shots and serious amounts of cleavage can have that effect on a project. Shyamalan and Alfred Hitchcock have garnered enormous followings because of their belief that ‘less is more’ in horror and suspense films. The implicit threat of danger is far more suspenseful and terrifying than the actual danger. Embracing this concept throughout the majority of 28 Days Later, director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting) distances his film from the pack in one of the year’s most thrilling, nerve-jangling movies. When several animal activists break into a British Army lab intent on releasing the chimpanzees there, they are unaware that the chimps have been infected with a virus known as ‘rage’. The effects of this virus are simple: the infected being turns into a blood-thirsty zombie intent on killing (and infecting) others. 28 days after the activist’s fool-hardy pursuit, the viewer joins Jim (Cillian Murphy) in his hospital room. Having been in a coma for the last month or so, Jim is completely flabbergasted to wake up and find the hospital deserted and the London city streets empty. When he meets up with Mark (Noah Huntley) and Selena (Naomie Harris), he is briefed to the fact that the virus has spread throughout the world, decimating the population. Pockets of uninfected survivors remain, but in extremely minute numbers. Fitting with the smaller scope of the project, despite its virus-out-of-control plotline, Boyle chooses to intersperse scenes of petrifying suspense with scenes spotlighting Jim and Selena’s desire to survive and find a good reason to continue their fight to live. Where Jim is more of a wide-eyed optimist, Selena is on the opposite side of the page, lobbying hard that staying alive is about as good as its going to get. Investigating the nature of both life and love, Boyle concocts a surprisingly witty and smart horror film. Roughly halfway through, the pacing of 28 Days Later takes an unexpected turn, but even this slower, more circumspect feel couldn’t dampen the spirit and liveliness of the film. Spooky, spritely and entertaining, there’s not much more you could want in 28 Days Later.
jackson casey yes, it's true: According to director Danny Boyle, the production team employed topless girls to keep the streets of London free of traffic. |
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