28 Days Later (Danny Boyle, 2002): U.S.A.

Reviewed by Nicole Bacher. Viewed at the Santa Barbara Film Festival

If you love a great zombie-thriller, then 28 Days Later is the movie for you. In this 2002 film directed by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire), the UK is suddenly infected by a mysterious virus that turns everyday citizens into flesh eating, red-eye monsters. After breaking in to an animal testing laboratory, activists are quite disturbed when the horrified lab technician claims the animals are infected with a deadly rage virus. Immediately after resealing the animals, they attack and the infection begins.

Set in the normally bustling parts of London, Jim (Cillian Murphy) wakes up 28 days later in an empty hospital dazed and confused as he tries to figure out what is going on. He ventures out onto the deserted streets to try to find a source of life when he realizes the people are no longer people. As he flees to try to find shelter he runs into two other survivors, Selena (Naomie Harris) and Mark (Noah Huntly). They take him back to their hideout and starts to explain the nature of the infection. They must keep moving in order to fight the infection. Selena and Mark eventually agree to help the taken aback Jim return home to see if his parents are still alive.

Later, as they sneak through the darkened streets, Selena and Jim spot Christmas lights dangling from a balcony. As they go to investigate the lights on the tower, the pair finds father and daughter Frank (Brendan Gleeson) and Hannah (Megan Burns) whose resources are dwindling by the day. Their water and food supplies are low and they are desperate to find an alternative shelter. When an automated radio broadcast is picked up by the group, they decide to venture out to find new shelter.

The movie starts to loose it’s steam towards the end when the crew finally finds the Manchester-based group of soldiers. They claim to have the cure to the infection and invite any survivors to join them at their blockade. Faced with no practical alternative, the group stays. Boyle’s hand held camera techniques captures what its like to be on the run. This film will have you on the edge of your seats every step of the way.