The zombie genre has been beaten to death yet 28 Days Later stands out for being something more. The story's unique strength is its narrow scope. It follows just a few characters in mostly quiet, scavenging situations. This reserved use of zombies gives their appearances more impact while allowing time for character building. Meanwhile, the thematic focus on human evils creates a more relatable message about normalized violence. This solid narrative is enhanced by a strong cast, most of whom bring dynamic performances (particularly Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson and Cillian Murphy).
However, the filmmaking is the true highlight of 28 Days Later. Danny Boyle is one of the better directors of his generation and this film exemplifies that. Use of Dutch angles, image composition, shadows, and gritty film quality all contribute to artistic cinematography and a distinct mood. Additionally, the editing is explosive because it builds tension with well-timed intercutting and strikes a stylish tone with a sequence of smash cuts towards the end. Overall, 28 Days Later is a film with few weakness and key strengths that boost it to a superior level.
Writing: 8/10
Direction: 9/10
Cinematography: 9/10
Acting: 8/10
Editing: 10/10
Sound: 7/10
Score/Soundtrack: 9/10
Production Design: 9/10
Casting: 7/10
Effects: 8/10
Overall Score: 8.4/10
Comments