Of the recent movies that used a 'found footage' perspective like Cloverfield, Quarantine, Diary Of The Dead etc, the Spanish film REC was one of the best. Raw, immediate and frantic it captured the feeling of trapped in an apartment building during a zombie outbreak. And now, the team that brought you REC give you a follow-up that takes place immediately after the original.
As I'd hoped REC 2 is shot with the same frenzied energy of the first film, in exactly the same locations referencing events, rooms and characters to make you feel right at home. From a story perspective, it has positives and negatives. On the downside, the story is more fragmented meaning we don't get an outsiders viewpoint that we got with TV newscaster Jennifer in the original; not only was she cute as hell, but her vulnerability added to the tension.
The script is also structured in to three acts. The first following a SWAT team on a classified mission is superb as the team stumble into something they are ill prepared for. The second, weakest act sees a group of unlikable kids and a fireman gain entry to the building, only to be picked off one by one. In the final act, we see a familiar face and a great twist is revealed, finishing off this sequel with a flourish.
Where REC 2 stands tall is an early unexpected revelation that not only alters your perspective on the film before you, but taints your viewpoint of the events in the original too. It's brave, arguably a little hokey, but the documentary style sells the concept and, as an audience, we have little time to dwell on the 'science' of the infection's origin as were fighting off hordes of the undead.
Brutal, ballsy stuff.
1 comment:
Loved Rec. 2. A totally crazy, brutal blast of frenzied horror with a great twist on the central concept. I loved the way it broke up the POV of the story before coming back in on itself towards the end. And at 70mins or so it just flies by. Bring on Rec.3.
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