Review by All Movie Guide
All Movie Guide
is neutral about it.
There's a new king of fright - and [REC] is it. Hailed as one of the scariest modern horror entries of its time, Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza's 2007 Spanish production is a tour de force of shock cinema that's sure to stop many a viewer's heart. Using the first person narrative, the film puts the audience inside a quarantined apartment building where, unbeknownst to a reporter (Manuel Velasco) following a small group of firefighters on a routine night call, an epidemic is about to erupt around them. What follows is a harrowing cinéma vérité twist on the zombie mythos that is nearly as scream inducing as one can get within the confines of the genre. With plenty of scares around every corner, [REC] achieves exactly what it sets out to do - use the
Blair Witch style to springboard into a singular terrifying experience all it's own. Given that, it's not surprising that America was so fast to jump on a remake of this horrific tale (and subsequently give away most of its shocks in the trailer and advertising).
One thing is for certain - this flick is not for everyone. Those with disdain for startling "gotcha" moments will no doubt roll their eyes at much of the proceedings, while others looking for a non-stop thrill ride might find themselves getting antsy during the frequent downtime moments. However, what the latter group misses is the highly thought-out framework of the piece, as constructed by the directors, who, despite many impressive efforts on their own (
Darkness,
Romasanta), combine to make a killer team-up behind the camera. The duo's tight, technically proficient direction showcases their understanding of POV filmmaking and the creativity to use that to amp up the scare factor all the way to the truly unnerving ending. And really, that's what [REC] is here for - to scare the living piss out of moviegoers that enjoy that specific experience. Others are free to join in - just don't be surprised if this kinetically shot grim gem isn't quite your idea of a great time. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide