28 Weeks Later Blu-ray

28 Weeks Later

 (2007)

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller



28 Weeks Later picks up six months after the rage virus has annihilated the Mainland Britain. The U.S. Army declares that the war against infection has been won, and that the reconstruction of the country can begin. As the first wave of refugees return, a family is reunited - but one of them unwittingly carries a terrible secret that threatens to reignite the deadly explosion of bloodlust, carnage and chaos.

For more details about 28 Weeks Later on Blu-ray, see the 28 Weeks Later Blu-ray Review

Starring: Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne, Jeremy Renner, Harold Perrineau, Jr., Catherine McCormack
Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo

28 Weeks Later Blu-ray, Video Quality

 


Like 28 Days Later, portions of Weeks were filmed at times with lesser quality sources so as to stay true to the original movie. As a result, the material shot on DV and 16mm will be covered in an inherent fine layer of grain. These scenes were most evident when "the infected" appear on screen, and this was confirmed by Fresnadillo in the commentary track. He wanted the camera to be "infected" when infection is on-screen. This was a key stylistic choice in making the film. As such, I cannot mark the video presentation down for stylistic choices of the director. For years, movie fans have demanded their films be presented as the director intended--in their original aspect ratio, including original audio tracks (even Monaural tracks in a multi-channel audio age), and even original poster artwork for disc covers (though in the "floating heads" Photoshop era this one is not likely to be resolved anytime soon). Now in the high-definition era, "flaws" in movies will become more and more apparent, but when those flaws are there for a reason I find it incomprehensible to complain about an image quality that is being presented just as it was meant to be seen and as it was seen in theaters.

Still, despite the artistic choices made, this 1080p presentation of the 1.85:1 aspect ratio film does indeed look wonderful. The disc is advertised to run at an average of 37Mbps and I saw it peak at 50Mbps on my PS3. Much of the film is dark and blacks levels don't disappoint. The portions of the movie shot in 35mm really stand out as true reference material. You'll be hard pressed to find a better authored video presentation on Blu-ray, except maybe from other Fox titles. Fox has truly become an industry leader in accurately reproducing the theatrical experience as closely as possible for the home theater audience.

28 Weeks Later Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 


Sonically, this is a demo-worthy disc that will test the limits of the best home theater systems out there. As per their norm, a DTS HD 5.1 Master Lossless Audio track is the featured audio source on this disc. Unfortunately, few players currently on the market can decode this track (including the Playstation 3) but it is still playable as a 1.5Mbps core DTS track that is, in a word, remarkable. Still, I cannot wait to have the ability to decode the Master track, if for no other reason than to hear how it can possibly sound any better than what we get in the core track. Directionality is superb. Fighter jets fly from one end of your room to the other; the crackle of gunfire makes you want to take cover behind your sofa; the screams of the infected and of their intended victims make you want to hide in the closet. This track sounds remarkably natural and clear while maintaining its aggressive nature. Bass is ever present but not completely overpowering. It will shake the windows and get your heart pounding, but only when the situation demands it. Likewise, dialogue and quieter moments come through crystal clear. You will be enveloped by the track and it definitely puts you in the middle of the action. The movie's main theme, carried over from the previous film, is one of my favorites. Starting as a melancholic bass guitar at the outset of the track and becoming a series of edgy electric guitar riffs, John Murphy's theme is powerful, energetic, and fits the mood of this film perfectly.

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