"The Beach"
5.5 / 10
After that was "28 Days Later" which could be considered the best zombie movie ever, but I don't think outside of George Romero, there are many zombie films to even look at. If you were to place the film into a suspense genre, it would be far above the average "good". The styles used in this film, the sound, and actors, really set up for a really unique style of film-making which seems to be a trend some directors desire to go, and almost universally admired by the film goers. By this point in Danny's list of achievements it seems to me he is beginning to identify himself with good and bad styles, and beginning to run with the good. The no name cast performed pleasantly, with a new technique of sound, all around a very interesting story. The one flaw that sticks out like a sore thumb for me, is really just because I have been such a huge fan of zombie ideas, that I feel that realism is missing from the zombies themselves. It is one, if not the first time I have seen fast zombies, but I want to see zombies which have a variety of body conditions. When I think zombie, I think flesh eater, and it didn't seem like the zombies wanted to consume so much as convert the living.
"28 Days Later"
7 / 10
Next on the list of Boyle... 2007's "Sunshine". This was the first time, and perhaps the only time Chris Evans can be seen in a good performance. Danny also brought back Cillian Murphy from his work in "28 Days Later" with a superb role. Cillian Murphy at this point proved his value as an actor. The film was a slight let down as I allowed it to be built up a bit more than I should have. The cinematography was between good and great, and the special effects were solid. Considering the flaw, its really only bits of the story here and there, or maybe even the hope I personally held for the film which drags it down a bit. I could go into the story, but for spoiler sake I won't. Still, I feel this was a slight upgrade to "28 Days Later".
"Sunshine"
7.5 / 10
His next... affiliation... was a sequel to his original zombie flick, "28 WEEKS Later". Fans after the first film were dieing for a sequel, and a sequel they got. The problem was that his affiliation to the film was merely the producer, so the styles were off, and it didn't hold up to a faithful addition to the now, series. The actors were a let down, sound, cinematography, and most of all the story. I felt this one belonged more with the Resident Evil series than the 28 series.
"28 Weeks Later"
5 / 10
Danny's most impressive showing so far in 2008 was his latest work, "Slumdog Millionaire". This film really opened peoples eyes to foreign films, even though it would hardly be considered foreign. Stories outside of America, and not medieval, can also be interesting. I haven't had a problem with that concept before but I feel like its a general perception. The performances of the film were memorable and the way the story was captured was even more so. The music was captivating, and the cinematography was great. Everything just felt right. When I grant points to films I also evaluate the ability and desire to revisit the film as part of the process, and that I think is where the film falls slightly. The film was so good, because of the style of journey Boyle took me on, but I don't know that the power of that journey can be revisited anytime soon.
"Slumdog Millionaire"
8.5 / 10
And now, in 2010, his most recent film... "127 Hours". Before this film, if someone were to ask me if I was familiar with Danny Boyle, I would say the name sounds familiar, and with helpful reminders of his work, I would then be able to connect the dots... but now he is etched, etched in my brain. He is etched because he may have provided the best film of 2010, if not, top 2 or 3 or 2010, while providing the top 3 best performance by James Franco. The power of this film was extraordinary. The film in its few moments of hilarity could cause kidney failure. The character's decisions would cause Mr. T to "pity the fool" and the moments of sadness would cause James Dean to rethink himself when he said "dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today." This film is as ridiculous as my last sentence, the film is just ridiculously good. When I try to think of the flaws, and there are some, they just aren't big enough to be seen without a special lens. The performance in this film should project James Franco to another level. The thrilling nature of this film will have you not on the edge of your seat, but sliding down your seat. To think of this movie having been done better feels like an impossibility. It was nearly perfect, I go back and forth trying to decide the final half point between a 9 out of 10 and a 9.5 out of 10. When I think of the films I put in the 9.5 category vs. the 9, I think it should sit right below the likes of "There Will Be Blood" and "No Country For Old Men" at 9.5, and should be a solid 9.
"127 Hours"
9 /10
Danny Boyle, the whole film world is waiting for your next move. His next move outside of directing is in the work of "Paani" directed by Shekhar Kapur who has a filmography which includes: Elizabeth: The Golden Age, The Four Feathers, and Elizabeth.
