Analysis of 28 Days Later - first 15 minutes

28 Days Later is about the human race having to fight for survival against the man made monster- the rage virus.

To introduce 28 Days Later, we see chaos and anarchy as the streets are filled with violence and terror. Long shots and medium long shots are used throughout this scene to allow the audience to see who is causing what damage. Evidentaly, the medium close ups used allow the demograqphic to see that the public is fighting against the police force. The context of the movie is that the governmet isn't looking after society well, therefore this scene underlines the chaos of the time the film was made.This is emphasised further by the diegetic noise of the screaming crowds. The de-saturated colours of the scene reinforces the fact that this scene is in the past and that's this scene is significant to the plot and possibly to the next scene, even though that scene is in the past. The editing is really fast paced, connoting the idea of rush and danger as the shots change really quickly. Shots change before 3 seconds, mostly.

 Then a graphic match is made as the screaming crowds are then shown on multiple TV screens, in front of a gorilla which is being experimented on. There is as birds eye view shot looking down at the gorilla which emphasises the gorilla's vulnerability. The low key lighting underlines the fact that the mood of the scene is distraught, creating fear in the demographic. The diegetic noise of the gorilla crying acts as a signal to the audience that the gorilla is hurt and needs help. The editing is quite slow which allows the audience to see how much pain the gorilla is in. Soon after, some animal rights activists come into the shot, from a long shot which helps the audience to see them from head to toe. Once they start to look around they find apes/gorillas and plan on releasing them, which is allowed to be seen by the audience with the use of slow paced editing. However, a scientist comes into the room and tries to stop the ARA from releasing the apes as they are infected with a "rage virus".

Once the ARA release one ape there is more chaos and bright red, flashing signals signifying that humanity is now in danger. Location iconography is used as in this scene the location is a science facility. This gives connotations of: tampering with nature, science and DNA. The editing of this scene is fast paced with good use continuity editing such as: the 180 degree rule, shot reverse shot and match on action. One example of shot reverse shot is when the ale ARA was speaking to the scientist and the camera switched (cannot find examples of this). The fast editing suggests that the danger of releasing the monkeys is incredibly high and the short takes suggests that the ARA don't really know what they are doing and there is tension between them and the scientist is strong. This is evidence of binary opposites which is usually in horror films, however this is a post- apocalyptic horror.

After that, we see Jim wake up in a hospital out of a coma.

Jim is then in the hospital which is deserted, with no signs of humanity. Evidently, there are loads of things thrown around  out of place. This suggests to the demographic that something terrible has happened, resulting in the natural equilibrium being distorted. Long sots are frequently used to allow the viewers to see clearly how disrupted the hospital is. Again, location iconography is visible as this scene is In a hospital which connotes: health, hope and life. However, going against the usual norms of hospitals is the fact that the hospital is empty and lifeless. This ,therefore, created fear in Jim , the protagonist of the story, as the one place which heals people and keeps them safe, is no longer available to do that. This then shows how vulnerable Jim really is. The slow paced editing allows the audience to see in rich detail how empty the place actually id and how much Jim is trying to take in, as he is new to the situation and doesn't know hat is going on,

After Jim wonders around the hospital for a while he finds branded, fizzy drinks. This brings up the idea of 'consumerism' as he is more bothered about going for branded drinks than something more useful for the body, like water or juice. Again, Jim continues to walk around in hope for some 'company' and some sort of explanation. Long shots are still used to show the idea that he is 'alone' in a place where he could get hurt or even killed. The fact that we know what is happened and Jim does not could create interest in the audience as they know that Jim has not planed on fighting against a damaged humanity. The editing is again, slow paced to allow the audience to see how 'stranded' and 'vulnerable' Jim is, even in a place of health and safety.

Jim then leaves the hospital and he goes into the streets of a deserted London.  This subverts location stereotypes as London is usually filled with people and activity. However, Jim has found himself in an unknown London, with no one around, no cars moving and no places open to go to. This long shot shows to the audience how stranded London is and the de-saturated colours emphasise that London is 'lifeless'. Slow paced editing is used to allow the audience to identify the fact that London is empty and that this isn't normal, creating excitement in the audience as they realise even the most life full place has become lifeless.