I watched a double bill of 28 Years Later and The Bone Temple and it was great to see them back to back as they do feel like two halves of a whole. I liked 28 Years Later a lot more on this second viewing. I find it to be quite an impressively odd, experimental sort of film. The score by Young Fathers feels brilliant in some places and strangely out of place in others - but it consistently feels very Danny Boyle though. The much discussed cinematography is also very distinct. It's got that cool new way of capturing the kills with the iPhones setup but also the focus/depth of field in some shots is very striking. I still wish it was scarier. There is nothing like the end of 28 Days Later where Cillian has to cope with deranged soldiers and the Infected. The decision in 28YL to bring a terminally ill person to the mainland is bonkers, but it worked better on this watch, and I found it much more affecting this time. Alfie Williams as Spike really is excellent. Fair play to Aaron Taylor-Johnson for playing such a dick, but fair play to Alex Garland for not making him completely one dimensional - there is a good Dad in there probably, but not much of a good husband. Fiennes' Dr Kelson is still the standout, and even moreso in The Bone Temple.
What an absolute blast this film is. There is a scene where Jack O'Connell and Ralph Fiennes finally meet that is absolutely bonkers. It's all far less experimental than 28 Years Later, but with the Jimmys and developments in the Kelson/Samson relationship, this is still a pretty strange film. Low on scares, but someoretty damn nasty stuff all the same. Jack O'Connell and Fiennes are both absolutely exceptional. I wish the Jimmys had a bit more to do and had been utilised more scarily come he climax, but I still can't wait for the next one.
Ralph Fiennes deserves some kind of award for the Iron Maiden scene. Absolutely wicked.
