Review of [REC]² (2009) by Pinch S — 03 Apr 2012

A strange outbreak in a apartment complex, kills off its tenants and a few outsiders one-by-one with only a single hand-held camera filming the happening. [Rec] was remade about a year after it's release in Quarantine.

I actually saw the latter before this one and enjoyed it, but after viewing the original, it is beyond the American version in horror. Most people are put off by the subtitles, but I found it a lot better in terms of catching all the action and staying in the mix.

The film moves in a considerately fast pace once the infected start popping up, so being on top of the game is necessary. The atmosphere surrounding [Rec] reveals a brooding and sadistic feeling that stays with you long after the film ceases.

The feeling of not knowing what's happening around you while only one camera films everything helps out the creep factor so much. That's where the true horror of the film lies; not being able to know what's around you until it's too late.

I know this type of cinema has been done before, namely The Blair Witch Project, but the way it's been done in [Rec], is epic on all scales. It also helps that the film stars relative unknowns in the cinematic world.

The only complaint I have is the lead actress and her excessive whimpering and shouting on needless times throughout the film. Especially on times when the characters needed to be quiet in order to get past the infected.

It turned into an annoyance rather than an added effect. Watch [Rec] with the lights out, it'll be a treat in setting the mood.