CRITIC'S CORNER
'28 Weeks Later' an exposé in savagery
By DNA Smith

'28 Weeks Later' stars Mackintosh Muggleton, Imogen Poots and Robert Carlyle as an English family running from zombies.

"28 Weeks Later"
Running time: 99 minutes
MPAA rating: R

I've always enjoyed zombie movies because they were so laughable. I mean, come on. Zombies move so slowly they make Frankenstein look like an Olympic sprinter.

But then Danny Boyle created "28 Days Later" in 2005 and redefined the zombie genre by making zombies amped up with super strength, speed and savagery. This was not my grampa's zombie movie. And it scared the hell out of me.

Now, here we are, two years and "28 Weeks Later." And although Boyle has handed over the directing duties to Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, the spirit and the intensity of the first movie is maintained. In fact, the sequel is in many ways more terrifying and dark than the original.

The film takes place 28 weeks after the end of the first film. Britain is completely unpopulated because of the zombie attacks begun in the first movie. A NATO military force led by the U.S. Army has established a safe zone in London's Isle of Dogs and has begun allowing civilians to return.

Among the returnees are a young brother and sister, Andy (Mackintosh Muggleton) and Tammy (Imogen Poots), whose father, Don (Robert Carlyle), is the head custodian with a shameful secret (I'm not gonna spoil it).

A sad and tragic chain of events leads to the re-emergence of the Rage Virus and the creation of more Berzerker Zombies. Code Red is declared, and the U.S. Army begins killing everything that moves - whether that person is infected or not. A chase then begins, and the fates of Andy and Tammy (who also harbor a crucial secret) hang in the balance.

"28 Weeks Later" is one of the most savage and dark movies I've seen. It's definitely not for everyone. But if you've got the stomach for it, I strongly recommend giving it a look.

GRADE: A- (c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc.