Sunday, December 2, 2018

28 Days Later

Movie Name: 28 Days Later
Year of Release: 2002
Director: Danny Boyle
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson, Christopher Eccleston, Megan Burns, Noah Huntley, Leo Bill, Ricci Harnett, Luke Mably, David Schneider
Genre: Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 8
Watch it on Amazon

Synopsis and Review:
After the poorly received "The Beach", director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland, returned with the fantastic "28 Days Later". The film follows the story of Jim, a bike messenger who wakes up in London, following a near fatal accident. As he roams the city, he notices that London is completely deserted. Jim also discovers that a virus has decimated almost the entire population of the country, save for a few pockets of survivors. He is rescued by Selena, when he is attacked by a series of individuals infected with the virus. She informs him of all the events, and they eventually find solace with a father and daughter duo, Frank and Hannah, both of whom are isolated in their apartment. All 4 of them decide to head out, and seek other survivors up north, where apparently there's a rescue center, and where the infection hasn't made its way.
Danny Boyle is a masterful storyteller, one that has been able throughout his films, to find unique stories to tell, that perfectly marry his sensibility and aesthetic. "28 Days Later" is a perfect example of that. Behind the facade of a zombie film, Danny Boyle builds a story that is a testament to the best and worst that can be found in human nature, respectively the kindness/giving nature, and the antithesis, in the shape of the violence, greed and brutality that they can exhibit. It's a film that also manages to explore to a perfect point, the virtuosity of digital cinema, by giving it a documentary style that makes the film feel real, particularly considering the apocalyptical aspect of the narrative. The relationship between the central characters is also built in a way that makes everyone feel and look realistic and not super heroes, or self-aggrandizing characters. It's a perfect mix of the fantastical with the realistic, something that Danny Boyle has mastered in his features almost to perfection. The film is also excitingly shot by Anthony Dod Mantle, and the central performances from Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson and Christopher Eccleston are all fantastic. A great film from a terrific director.

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