"28 days later . . . " is hardly the apocalyptic, zombie-horror-movie-to-end-all-zombie-horror-movies that it's been made out to be.

Sure, it features violent, mindless humans who live only to attack the living. But they're not zombies per se. In fact, the film's ultimate villains aren't the unfortunate "infected," but rather humanity itself.

Perhaps that's saying a little too much. Besides, this science-fiction thriller is one of the creepiest films to come along in some time.

Few movies have managed to tap into our fears of bioterrorism, the unknown and sociopathic rage as effectively as this one does. It's a solid return to form for director Danny Boyle, who was badly in need of a hit after the resounding failures of "A Life Less Ordinary" and "The Beach."

This one's a decided change of pace from those two films as it follows Jim (Cillian Murphy), a bicycle courier who wakes up in a hospital after a monthlong coma — only to find that London is apparently deserted.

Actually, most of the city has been evacuated after the spread of a deadly virus that turns those who are infected into raging, murderous "zombies." Jim is fortunate to escape from one of their attacks, thanks to help from some fellow survivors, including Selena (Naomie Harris).

They're joined by Frank (Brendan Gleeson) and his daughter Hannah (Megan Burns), who have much-needed supplies of food — and better yet, a car.

They receive even more hopeful news when they intercept a radio transmission emanating from Manchester, coming from people claiming to be soldiers offering shelter to any survivors. But to get out of London they'll have to travel by day as there are hundreds of "infected" roaming the city by night.

Besides the graphic gore — which will test the stomachs of at least a few in the audience — the film's most daunting feature may be the handheld, digital photography (done to save money and to give the film a starker, grittier look).

But it's nicely paced (the action is intense) and the script (by author Alex Garland) veers into much more thoughtful terrain than you'd expect from material like this.

Newcomers Murphy and Harris give fine performances, although veteran Irish actor Gleeson nearly upstages them with a supporting turn that lends much-needed humor to the proceedings.

"28 days later . . . " is rated R for violence (zombie attacks, bludgeonings, stabbings, gunplay and explosive mayhem), graphic gore, occasional use of strong, sexually related profanity and crude sexual slang, simulated drug use (tranquilizers and painkillers) and flashes of female and full male nudity. Running time: 108 minutes.

---

E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com