Sioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says "28 Years Later" is much more than a zombie film; it's the film that launches Alfie William's acting career.
We probably don鈥檛 need another zombie movie, but we do need more work from Alfie Williams.
An absolute charmer in 鈥28 Years Later,鈥 Williams helps us understand this bizarre world where the uninfected live on a British island while zombies congregate on the mainland.
Pegged as a hunter, Williams' 12-year-old Spike is sent on a rite of passage with his father, Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), to the place where naked zombies run in herky-jerky fashion and attack everything. While the two make it back to their home, there鈥檚 something about the new place that nags at the boy.
Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his son Spike (Alfie Williams) are chased in "28 Years Later."
Sony Pictures
His mother (the heartfelt Jodie Comer) is suffering from an illness and could be helped by a doctor in this foreign place. Sensing he could be the conduit, Spike plots a journey of his own and takes his mother with him.
There, in some boneyard of sorts, is the doctor (Ralph Fiennes) who has a feeling about the illness. When mom decides to take the physician鈥檚 advice, 鈥28 Years Later鈥 becomes a journey that鈥檚 impossible to forget, largely because the boy makes it so acceptable.
Meanwhile, activity back on the island has a creepy 鈥淢idsommar鈥 feel that suggests it isn鈥檛 any better than the world they鈥檙e avoiding. Fiennes鈥 character has found peace with the zombies and has specific methods to keep them at bay.
Directed by Danny Boyle, 鈥28 Years Later鈥 has plenty of cinematic tricks in its bag (even cellphones were employed as cameras) and an off-putting way of making us wonder if the presence of a plague is worth fighting.
Only one zombie has any hint of a personality and he鈥檚 largely around because a female is about to give birth. Comer enters that scenario, too, reinforcing her views on parenting. Even though dad and son have their moments, it鈥檚 easy to see where the real bond lies.
Williams鈥 gestures, facial expressions and hugs resonate entirely, making him the reason this story needed to be told. He鈥檚 already been cast in a sequel, which should wrap up other unfinished business.
Boyle, who got a superior performance out of Dev Patel in 鈥淪lumdog Millionaire,鈥 has a knack for exposing raw emotions. Here, he doesn鈥檛 need a zombie to rip away the flesh, just a 12-year-old with a cauldron full of compassion.
Don鈥檛 forget Williams when next year鈥檚 acting prizes are discussed. He鈥檚 the real deal and "28 Years Later" is his calling card.聽
Movies in a minute with film critic Bruce Miller
Movies in a Minute: "28 Years Ago"
Movies in a Minute: "Materialists"
Movies in a Minute: "From the World of John Wick: Ballerina"
Movies in a Minute: "Karate Kid: Legends"
Movies in a Minute: "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning "
Movies in a Minute: "Nonnas"
Movies in a Minute: "Fight or Flight"
Movies in a Minute: "Thunderbolts*"
Movies in a Minute: "The Accountant 2"
Movies in a Minute: "Sinners"
Movies in a Minute: "Warfare"
Movies in a Minute: "A Minecraft Movie"
Movies in a Minute: "Death of a Unicorn"
Movies in a Minute: "Snow White"
Movies in a Minute: "Novocaine"
Movies in a Minute: "Mickey 17"
Movies in a Minute: "Flow"
Movies in a Minute: "Last Breath"
Movies in a Minute: "Captain America Brave New World"
Movies in a Minute: "Heart Eyes"
Movies in a Minute: "Flight Risk"
Movies in a Minute: This Oscar season, musicals are "pop u lar!"
Movies in a Minute: "Wolf Man"
Movies in a Minute: "Better Man"
Movies in a Minute: "Babygirl"
Movies in a Minute: "The Brutalist"
Movies in a Minute: "Nosferatu"
Movies in a Minute: "A Complete Unknown"
Movies in a Minute: "Nickel Boys"
Movies in a Minute: "Moana 2"
Movies in a Minute: "We Live in Time"
Movies in a Minute: "Smile 2"
Movies in a Minute: "Saturday Night"
Movies in a Minute: "Joker: Folie `a Deux"
Movies in a Minute: "Megalopolis"
Movies in a Minute: "Transformers One"
Movies in a Minute: "Speak No Evil"
Movies in a Minute: "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice"
Movies in a Minute: "Reagan"
Movies in a Minute: "Blink Twice"
Movies in a Minute "Alien: Romulus"
Movies in a Minute: "It Ends With Us"
Movies in a Minute: "Trap"
Movies in a Minute: "Deadpool & Wolverine"
Movies in a Minute: "Twisters"
Movies in a Minute "Maxxxine"
Movies in a Minute "Despicable Me 4"
Movies in a Minute "A Quiet Place: Day One"
Movies in a Minute: "Thelma"
Movies in a Minute: "Inside Out 2"
Movies in a Minute: "Thelma"
聽Bruce Miller is editor of the Sioux City Journal.聽
