28 Days Later (Danny Boyle, 2002)

Film Synopsis:
28 days later is set 28 days after a serious virus hits London and the whole of the UK. (hence the name). The virus leaves the country isolated, deserted and a minimum amount of survivors. As the few survivors struggle to keep their lives and not face death, they fight against the infected people and kill what it takes to live. As you learn from the beginning of the film, the virus is originally cause by a pack of chimpanzees who have been released by an animal cruelty agency for freedom, this causes dramatic irony as we know how the virus is called but the characters do not. in desperate need for information, safety and hospitality the group continuity to seek what they need to survive.


Contextualising the film:
28 days later is set in the present day which is the 21st century therefore this creates a more realistic effect towards the audience. As it is set to the present day this makes the audience more aware of the technology, jobs and everyday lifestyle. 


Explain how '28 Days Later' fits into the horror genre (refer to conventions):
The film fits into the horror genre due to the use of iconography and typical codes and conventions of a horror film. Using blood, violence, low key lighting and binary oppositions (Dead -  Alive, Infected - Normal, Good - Bad)   , the film is able to combine all of the techniques to create a final terrifying and tense effect. A phallic weapon is also used which in this case is a long knife. 


How was the film received by audiences? 
'28 Days Later' was given a rating of 7.6/10 on the IMDB website, this once again shows that the film was a good film but could be a improved.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289043/


Key scenes:

• Opening scene (shows what created the virus)
• The manipulation scene in the army house
• When the dad becomes effected
• The relaxing scene on grass next to horses.

What makes the film distinctively British?
Straight away the film is set in a British location as the chimpanzee's are being released in the 'Cambridge research centre'. It then goes on to using iconography to represent London as flats, Big Ben and a red bus are shown, the use of locations represent the speed of how far across the UK the virus has travelled. Wind turners are also shown towards the end of the film to once again show how the virus has travelled to the countryside and this therefore creates travel to be one of the films themes.