28 Weeks Later (18), Odeon, Merry Hill, Dudley, 4 Stars (From Stourbridge News)

28 Weeks Later (18), Odeon, Merry Hill, Dudley, 4 Stars

While so many sequels prove to be a washout, 28 Weeks Later is, refreshingly, just as gripping and beautifully shot as director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland's original movie.

Set in post virus outbreak London, the US military have been drafted in to get Blighty back in order. The few remaining uninfected humans are back in circulation after being quarantined for six months and those lucky enough to have been abroad when the killing rage virus was accidentally released and spread are being repatriated.

This time the action focuses on survivor Don (Robert Carlyle) who is reunited with his children Andy (Mackintosh Muggleton) and Tammy (Imogen Poots) when they are flown in from a refugee camp.

The youngsters are struggling to come to terms with the death of their mother Alice (Catherine McCormack) who was killed by the infected. But does Don know more about his wife's death than he is letting on? And are all of the zombies really dead?

Although creative partnership Boyle and Garland were unable to work on this film, Spanish director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo has managed to capture the gritty, modern horror feel of 28 Days Later.

Fresnadillo makes the assumption cinema-goers will have seen the first film as there is little explanation for the uninitiated or forgetful. But there is plenty to get your teeth into here - the action set pieces are stunning and Fresnadillo perfectly captures the devastation of a city on its knees in this post-apocalyptic vision of London.

To see the usually hectic city streets deserted is eery and stunning. The capital is undoubtedly as much a character in this story as Don and his family.

The brilliant Robert Carlyle plays Don as an unlikely protagonist as he is quickly exposed as a selfish and deceitful character.

And he gets some great scenes with Catherine McCormack - one involving eyeballs, fingers and blood springs to mind!

The casting team have found two little gems in Imogen Poots and Mackintosh Muggleton who are surely destined for A-list movie stardom if these performances are anything to go by.

While there are some harrowing scenes - particularly when the Americans turn their guns on the survivors - the movie's tone manages to reach optimistic levels thanks to a pulsating contemporary soundtrack and sterling performances.

Although aspects of the story are concluded, the dark ending offers the possibility of a third installment which, for a change, would be a bonus.