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Just seen this for the second time. Inevitably, most of it is considerably weakened when you know what's coming (with the exception of the bit with Mrs Zombie Carlyle, which is even more unwatchable). But it's still well assembled and the nitpicking seems misplaced to me. On repeat viewing, it's clear that Rob Zombie can walk in to see his wife because she's in a makeshift holding cell - he's there before the military can make her more secure. Or dead. Though how he tracks them to the Charing Cross Jubilee Line (and how they get in there) remains a mystery to me.
All in all, too much of this film's plot hinged on the stupidity/cowardice of the characters. It lacked the heart and hopefulness that made the first one transcend the zombie genre to become something really special.
I don't really see stupidity or cowardice per se - one of the things I like about this movie is how remorselessly it sets up the proposition that the only way to survive is to give up your humanity (much as Cillian Murphy's character comes to realise in 28 Days Later). I can't say I saw a lot of heart or hopefulness in the first film but it's certainly true that there's precious little of either in this one.
In fact, all the critical errors of judgment are basically the result of people being, well, people: the kids sneaking out in contravention of the rules; Mrs Carlyle forgiving her husband; the medic wanting to preserve the children in the hope of finding a cure; the sniper opting to help, rather than slaughter civilians; Tammy (possibly) ignoring Andy's contamination; the copter pilot evacuating them ... the only time anyone's a coward is Carlyle, at the beginning, and even that is understandable (if not admirable) under the circumstances.
Not too keen on the ending, though: it makes a good image, but I'd rather have had something more ambiguous. I thought there was going to be a bit of misdirection whereby Tammy, rather than Andy, turned out to be the carrier and sole survivor ... |
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