DVD Review: 28 Weeks Later

Ignoring the somber, slow pacing of the original 28 Days Later, this faster and energetic sequel hits every note on its way to success. While some will be turned off by the lack of deep rooted fear - the core of the original - 28 Weeks Later still maintains an authentic, eerily real feel for what is an overcharged zombie movie. Horror fans have every reason to be pleased.

Weeks focuses on the re-population of a country devastated by the raging virus of the first film. Scenes of the clean-up and discussion of possible containment plans in case of a second breakout are engrossing for their realism. A single family becomes the key to the film as, of course, the virus is once again released onto the population.

Using the family to propel the plot leads to a few forceful contrived moments later. Otherwise, the writing benefits the characters as they make every attempt to escape a nasty fate. They are met by a desperate military further complicating things as they make a run for survival.

Frantic camera work is initially a turn-off. When the action hits a breaking point, it works to turn away from unimportant character deaths. Those deaths, which are critical to the story, then come into a better focus when called for.

Weeks is unflinching in its gore factor. No one is safe, slaughtering elderly and children within the first 10 minutes. The body count is well above Days, and the action far more prevalent. However, the key character deaths still have an emotional pull even when the infected are relentlessly slaughtered by helicopter blades in a gore fanatic's dream sequence.

For all of its crowd rousing action, the script never allows the human drama to become lost. There is definitely a level of desperation and depression at every turn. Hardened horror fans will be hard pressed to find themselves enjoying this on a typical slasher movie level. This is a well written showcase of human plight that eclipses the original.

Even with the constant haze of a grain filter, Weeks looks phenomenal on home video. The print is beautifully maintained with nearly zero compression. A scene taking place almost entirely in red is captured beautifully, a masterpiece for a DVD. Detail is astonishingly high given the resolution.

Bass lovers will relish the chance to have this disc pumping through their home theaters. It will push the limits of your subwoofer as jets bombard the city and helicopters move close to the camera. Surrounds are active, yet they don’t have the noticeable impact the bass does. Crowded scenes seem oddly muted.

Code Red: Making 28 Weeks Later begins the extras with a nice 13 minute making of segment that dives into other concepts for this sequel, and of course making the film. The Infected runs for seven minutes, focusing on the extras stuck inside make up all day and their struggles. The latter is the most entertaining feature on the disc.

Article Author: Matt Paprocki

Matt Paprocki is a 12-year movie and game critic. He currently freelances for Blu-ray review site DoBlu.com and video game site MultiPlayerGames.com.

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