Arts & Entertainment 28 Weeks Later: Less Suspense, More Explosions
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18 May 15, 2007 THE RETRIEVER WEEKLY Arts & Entertainment 28 Weeks Later: Less suspense, more explosions Coming to Theaters This Week By Jeremy Hentschel Shrek the Third (PG): Honestly, trying to say something witty about a movie series that takes itself so lightly is pretty tough, and quite frankly, I don’t get paid well enough to do it, so here is a plot synopsis instead – in this upcoming sequel, Shrek finds himself in danger of becoming king because Fiona’s father is on his deathbed. He must find a suitable heir to take his place, or else the job is his. is the visual style of the fi lm. The opening scenes are grainy, dark, and full of extreme- close-ups of character’s faces. This style works well for building the brooding isolation of the early scenes, but it doesn’t work for long. Shortly after introducing the new characters, zombies attack the remote villa. Because of the grainy style, the frequent cuts, and the shaky camera work, it’s almost impossible to tell exactly what’s going on. This [Courtesy of Fox Atomic] adds to the sense of chaos in the attack, but it Infected with Rage: The monkey-spawned virus from 28 Days Later returns to wreak havoc in Weeks. also muddies the action, which is disappointing More action oriented than drama based, it’s a the quarantine zone. because it prevents the audience from observing RYAN DORRILL fun fi lm to see if you have a craving for mindless The new outbreak precipitates panic all the gruesome details of the attack. Retriever Weekly Contributing Writer zombie-slaughtering, but don’t go in expecting among the civilians, making them almost 28 Weeks Later also falls fl at in the empathy anything resembling the original fi lm. indistinguishable from the zombies. department. Many of the plot twists and 28 Weeks Later lacks the low-budget style, Unlike it’s predecessor, 28 Weeks Later is Fearing they have no other choice, the U.S. surprises felt predictable and contrived. For gritty realism, and emotional impact of its eponymously set long after the initial outbreak commanders order the soldiers to open fi re on instance, the introduction of children to the predecessor, but that isn’t entirely a bad thing; of the rage virus. At this point in time, all of anything that moves. The soldiers unload on resettling zone was too ridiculous to believe, the sequel is a different breed of zombie fl ick. the zombies have died of starvation and a U.S. the zombies and escaping civilians with sniper even though it serves as the impetus for many led NATO force has entered rifl es, then try to purge the infected from the of the characters’ actions. For instance, if the London to establish a safe rest of the city. This is an unfortunate turn of children are such a big burden, why not just zone on the Isle of Dogs. events for the main characters, but it essentially ship them back to the orphanage in Europe Thanks to the military aid, gives the director an excuse to try some cool before terrible tragedy occurs? Oh, wait, no. the area of London around shit, i.e. scenes of chemical weapons attacks, Children. What could possibly go wrong? the safe zone has been fi rebombs, and mass helicopter decapitation. Yet despite all the silliness, the fi lm cleared of the dead and Basically, the movie begins to feel more like kept me engaged. The overarching story is groups of British refugees a video game than a horror fl ick, but it’s still intriguing, partly because it answers questions are moved from Europe pretty entertaining. that were unsettled at the end of the fi rst fi lm, back to London. However, However, along with the pop-culture but also because I expected worse from a sequel the peaceful ghost-town style action scenes aren’t the only departure to a low-budget zombie fi lm. This won’t be the atmosphere of London from the original fi lm’s style. As soon as 28 only sequel to 28 Days Later, though. Plans for is destroyed when the Weeks Later opens, you’ll know you’re in for a a graphic novel and a third fi lm, 28 Months infection breaks out again: different experience. In the fi rst scenes, you’re Later, are also in the works. one the of survivors of the introduced to a group of survivors living in the original outbreak acts as a British countryside. None of these characters carrier for the virus without will look familiar, however, because the cast Ryan Dorrill is a Contributing Writer for [Courtesy of Fox Atomic] exhibiting any symptoms, of the original fi lm has been entirely replaced. The Retriever Weekly and can be reached for Maintain the Quarantine: These aren’t just Counter Strike cosplayers. The army takes zombie invasions quite seriously. then infects the settlers in Even more jolting than the cast change, though, comment at [email protected]. Best tracks for blue skies from PLAYLIST, page 17. the previous track for lazy summer perfection. Bonus: 11.) The Veils, “Calliope!” 9.) Loney, Dear, “The Meter Marks OK” I just grabbed this one. Independent rockers Loney, Dear is primarily Swedish pop artist The Veils hail from New Zealand and craft Emil Svanangen, who tours with a full band, and compelling tunes with a glam edge. “Calliope!” released his album Loney, Noir on February 6. Fans (off of April 24 release, Nux Vomica), is an early of Kings of Convenience should easily embrace favorite, with its deep vocals and clamoring cheer. these light tunes, “The Meter Marks OK” being A high-energy piece sure to dispel any summer one of the most spirited. Svanangen’s sweet croon doldrums. breaks into a catchy chant of a chorus, remarking All 11 picks suit summer, from the daze of on changes made and people slipping away. A love to the haze of heat, recommended humbly lazy summer day pick. by yours truly. All, I would argue, ready-made for 10.) The Postmarks, “Watercolors” your soundtrack of summer 2007. From the band’s February 6 self-titled release, the track “Watercolors” features the airy Katrina Cohen is a Staff Writer for The [Courtesy of Altitude Records] vocals of female lead, Tim Yehezkely, and is a toe- Retriever Weekly and can be reached for comment “If you live”: Matt Pond PA’s new album If You Want Blood hits June 5th and promises to please tapping piece of chamber pop that can pair with at [email protected]. indie-pop fans..