I was very eager to see this sequel after I had much praise for 28 Days Later. Although Danny Boyle was not to direct this one, he was still a very influential member of the production team. I was also not surprised at all to see that, to much criticism, that the style of the film was completely different.

Whereas 28 Days Later was subtle, slow, deep and portrayed realistically, 28 Weeks Later is much more sensational. Films that have a heavy family element can be great. I have nothing against child actors. I do however have a lot against child characters - especially the kind in this film. They are stupid. The boy has no emotions. The girl looks twice her supposed age.

The plot also has a lot more holes. The situation that allowed the outbreak of re-infection is just totally outragous and demonstrates the complete ineptitude of the United States Armed Forces. How the infection was allowed to spread to the civilian population without being exterminated by a soldier with a big gun is also beyond me, but then I guess we’d have no movie.

Once the outbreak took over, I was pleased with the accelerated pace of the movie, and it took on much of the traits that made the first one so good. A group of people trying desperately to escape and survive total chaos brought on, this time not only by the infected but by the intervention of rapid military response.

It would have been so easy for Hollywood to destroy this. In truth, they didn’t do it many favours either, but the film is still enjoyable - at least the first time you see it. 28 Weeks Later is good for entertainment value but don’t count on any awards being handed out.