REC 3 (2012)

The final movie for my Spanish theme week is “REC 3”. I liked this one much more than “REC 2” for several reasons. First, it doesn’t take itself as seriously and actually has several great moments for some dark comedy. Second, it changes up the format; about twenty minutes into the movie, it drops the found footage/POV style that was used in the first two films are becomes a straight forward film. This was a great choice to make by director Paco Plaza (who wrote and directed the first two films) because it shows that he’s trying to break the mold and not make a copycat movie. That attempt clearly did not work for “REC 2” and the change of style and mood fits perfectly in the storyline for “REC 3”.

Koldo and Clara are getting married and all of their family and friends are there to celebrate, even Koldo’s uncle who was bitten by a dog at the veterinarian office that he works at. All of the standard wedding moments are caught on film including the ceremony, cutting of the cake, a groomsman sneaking off with a guest of the bride, but when the dancing is about to begin, Koldo’s uncle falls off a balcony and onto a table. His wife rushes over but it’s too late, he’s been turned and bites her in the neck. Infected people biting unaffected people chaos takes over and Koldo and Clara are separated. The film then follows Koldo and then follows Clara until there are finally reunited and many more guests are killed. It’s a fun bloodbath kind of movie with moments that seem inspired by “Dead Alive” and “Shaun of the Dead”.

Favorite moment – Koldo and a waiter sneaking around looking for Clara while wearing armor and carrying a morning-star that they found in a shrine to Saint George.

Second favorite moment – Clara killing infected guests with a chainsaw!

REC 2 (2009)

“REC 2” is the sequel to the internationally acclaimed horror filmed “REC”, which in turn directly inspired the American remake known as “Quarantine” (reviewed 4/21/13). This film takes place immediately after “REC” ends, focusing on a small group of SWAT-like police team and their CDC-like advisor. Once they enter the building, they are only allowed back out with the voice command of their advisor. The advisor turns out to be a covert operative for the Vatican and is there to retrieve a blood sample of the girl who is ultimately responsible for the chaos that is occurring. When they lose the first sample they find, they eventually find the girl herself, losing team members in the process. The team also comes across a group of teens who snuck into the building…because that’s what teens do. Some more people die, the reporter is found, and shaky-cam moments continue non-stop.

It seems that the infected inhabitants of the apartment building are possessed by demonic powers because they were exposed to this girl. Note – this is where the American version and Spanish versions differ; the American version is about a biological virus and the Spanish version is about a religious based virus?!? Soooo, I lost interest in this movie pretty quickly when the teens were introduced. I also didn’t like the religious reasons for why everything was happening. However, what I did enjoy was the SWAT-like team and how they used their cameras in the movie. Overall I thought it was mediocre film at best and the weakest of the Spanish movies I’m reviewing this week.