28 Days Later (2003)

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Admirable film.

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

I guess the only appeal of this film is that it has a distinct nihilist flavour, delighting in the annihilation of everything. Maybe what a lot of people understand intuitively - that our civilization is terminally ill, is what makes us enjoy some of the scenes in which all the filth seems to have been swept away, so we can start anew. Still, the film repeats all the cliches from the zombie genre, and has few original moments. What was somewhat original was that the zombies were fast and agile. But the characters are dull, their actions are absurd most of the time, and the climax is illogical and forced. I felt really let down when it was over. One more thing: zombie or not, no one can run like crazy for days and weeks without a break. Especially since the film makes a point that the infection is biological and not supernatural. Running zombies would have passed out and died much sooner than the film imagines.

The use of extreme close-up photography (in the beginning) makes it difficult to follow the action at times. This is the most realistic zombie film I've seen to date. I though Cillian Murphy in particular was very good and convincing. The music was lovely and tranquil, in direct contrast to the situation the characters found themselves in, but I thought it worked incredibly well. As the film progresses, it becomes less about the zombies and more about Man's unquenchable desire. Man against Man, as it has always been, regardless of the circumstances. Very good.

One of the best horror films of the 21st century and great special effects

This is my first review, so bear with me. I overall liked the movie, but I felt ultimately displeased by the end, especially after reading some of the other reviews. (I created an IMDb account just so I could write this review!) I don't think it's as genius as many think. Sure, fast-moving infected--a type of neo-zombie--is a cool idea, but I just didn't find it very scary. I keep thinking of Day of the Dead, because in it the soldiers all turn crazy, too. It's like Selena and Jim swap characters in the end. At first, Jim's kinda wimpy but at the end he suddenly turns into a stealth ninja. And Selena is all tough at the beginning but then turns into a helpless damsel in distress for no reason. Seems like there's a lot of incontinuity in this film. I could keep nitpicking, but others already have, and besides, I liked the "normality" line a lot. That was thought-provoking ("humans killing humans is the normality").It's not about the infected so much as human nature in times of crisis. Instead of working together, they fight to the death. I like these ideas, I just didn't like how it was done. The whole premise of 28 days later is a plot hole, skipping 28 days. And then they do it again at the end! Seems like a very convenient and easy plot device to me. Jim is much more likely to die or get killed in that hospital then wake up and wander. I mean, if the infected have been out for 28 days, you'd think they'd be hungry and lookin' for some meat and find the skinny naked dude. Guess not.A good movie, I give it an even split right-down-the-middle. Just not my "cup of tea," I s'pose.