The apocalyptic series (beginning with 28 Days Later) has another installment, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which takes the franchise in a new direction with a horrifying yet intriguing premise.
Spike (Alfie Williams), from the previous film has been pressed into a gang of young survivors led by the fanatical Jimmy (Jack O’Connell), preying on other survivors of the plague. Spike is desperate to escape from the murderous thugs when they come upon Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes repeats his fine work) who is working to make contact with an alpha male who is infected with the rage virus. Is it possible to get through to his subject, dubbed Sampson, and what will happen when the doctor and the gang cross paths?
With minimal zombies this time, the film, well directed by Nia DaCosta (Candyman) from a script by long time writer Alex Garland links directly with 28 Years Later and focuses on two subplots, the marauding gang and the doctor’s self-sufficient existence. The gang members conduct ritualistic, one-on-one battles to the death and show no mercy to their victims. Spike is our surrogate protagonist caught up in this vicious circle and horrified by the vicious, merciless acts. Meanwhile the good doctor’s efforts to find a way to communicate with Sampson prove fascinating and offers a glimpse at possibly dealing with the infection. It offers hope for an uncertain future especially with its revealing, touching ending. There is also a nice callback that sets the stage for the next film.
Beautifully shot with
memorable vignettes
and tone of the Mad Max films, this is a better film than its predecessor
and looks to steer the series to a more promising story arc.
**** of ***** stars (for purists)
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