Take 52: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

Hot on the heels of the previous installment, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple has arrived, which is in actuality only about six or seven months later. This one pics up right there were left off: Spike (Alfie Williams) finds himself being inducted into the Sir Jimmy Crystal’s gang, led by the same Jimmy (Jack O’Connell) who we met at the end of the last film. In the other plot, Dr. Ian Kelson(Ralph Fiennes) sparks and odd friendship with Samson, (Chi Lewis-Perry), the Alpha from the last movie and is onto a potentially game changing discovery that could have major ramifications for dystopian landscape, just as his corner of the world slams into Jimmy Crystal’s gang.

Whew, once again, this is A LOT. As I said, this movie opens with two verse distinct plots. Even though it’s only been about six month since the last one came out, with everything that happened both in that one and, well, life in America in 2025, there was a lot to process so a refresher would have helped. Fortunately, they do a serviceable job of getting up caught up to speed. I was quickly reminded of how much I like Spike. I also remembered how rough he had it the first time around. It’s not going to be any different for the kid this time. At the end of 28 Days Later, he is “rescued” but Sir Jimmy Crysta’s gang. At the time, I wasn’t sure of what to think of them. They were batS#!+, but is it a good, Deadpool kind of bat$#!+? Nah, It’s quickly cleared up here. They are d***s. Even the girls in the grew. All of them. A big swinging bag of them. From jump, they put Spike, my boy, Spike THROUGH IT as part of his initiation. And it doesn’t let up for the kid for a second. The are NOT good people at all. Poor Spike isn’t about that life and it’s clear. My heart broke for the kid all over again.

Where Spike really carried the majority of the first installment, the heavy lifting actually went on Ralph Fiennes shoulder’s this time around. He was a very cool character then and that character only got better this time around. We get a little more of his backstory, and his motivation. Although I liked him in the first, I was still a little creeped out by him in the last one. Here, I was 100% Team Dr. Kelson. Who I was even more afraid of, was bare-handed decapitating man-killing machine whose name was Samson (because of his strength and his bodacious locks.) But somehow they did the impossible. By the end of the movie, the character is rehabilitated in a way I would never have thought possible. I loved him too and would welcome a buddy movie with he and the good doc. He’s given depth an a backstory and is left in a really interesting position going forward. Definitely not a back of. d****s, although we see plenty of his once again.)

And now the twist. About half way through this film, I was reading to walking away from the series for good. That’s just how bad the Jimmy Crystal gang was. People who didn’t like the last film because they didn’t think there was enough gore and horror will be very glad they stuck around. The fact that they shot these concurrently, the course correction is built-in. There didn’t change gears due to public backlash. They know exactly what they are doing. I however, am of a different mindset. I can pinpoint when the moment hit me most clearly: Halloween Kills. Something about the randomness of innocent people being subjected to even more random violence was just something I could stomach. It’s one thing when it’s the protagonist and their circle- people that are entrenched in the story, who we at least get to know and who we can at least KIND of see how they’re actions or proximity to the main character leads them on a possible collision course with death and turmoil- them I am a little more okay with. It’s the people minding their own business, just living their lives, not bothering ANYBODY that end up as collateral damage, THIS is what even suspense of disbelief view that I am supposed to be, can’t at this point in my life, enjoy. I imagine the real world is again seeping into my escapism. Whatever the case, this one tap dances all over the line of what I could take. I figured, after this, I think I am just not the target audience, and I was fine with that.

Then it happened. When the two plots collided, what resulted was oh, so satisfying. It plays out BRILLIANTLY. Avoiding spoilers, but all I can say is, it’s cathartic. It’s perfect. Everything I wanted, well, almost, but given the genre, it’s as close to a happy ending as you expect. There is a gag worthy surprise at the end and exciting potential for any of the surviving characters we have encountered thus far, and I am legit looking forward to the next chapter- something I did NOT was going to happen during the emotional slog of the first half. Well-played.

Ultimately, it got me where I wanted to be and the franchise is till good with me, but at what cost? A few point for me at least. But then is that fair? I walked out satisfied and shouldn’t that be what it’s about? This is touch…

My score: 9.2

Got a bone to pick with my review? Let’s hear it in the comments. And shout out to Andy B who shot me a nice email the other day! Be like Andy B. ;) And until next time…