[Rec] 3 - Génesis

The first time I saw REC (2007)I was addicted to it. And I guess a lot of people because an American remake (Quarantine (2008)) was made of this Spanish horror flick. When REC 2 (2009) came out it was another smasher. Paco Plaza, one of the directors did a great job and everybody was looking forward to see REC 3 made by Paco. REC 4 Apocalypse is also on the way, normally shot by the other director of the original REC, Jaume Balagueró.

I was eager to have a watch to REC 3 Genesis but was I disappointed by it. This movie didn't involve the apartment we have seen in the previous entries. Being called 'genesis' I thought it would explain the who and what about the mutated people but it didn't. Here we have a wedding going on were suddenly one of the uncles shows rare behaviour. When he's being helped due his fall he suddenly changes into a mutated one and bites one of his helpers. From there problems starts for the party going on. But also for REC 3. Previous parts did have fast moving zombies here we have slow moving zombies, a big difference! Rec and REC 2 needed the apartment to deliver the creeps by dark corridors here we see them walk in clear light. Don't get me wrong, the movie itself isn't that bad and is a delight for gorehounds but in fact has nothing to do with REC. Only the end when the plastic is used it reminded me of REC. It's a bit like Cabin Fever 2, a flop that had nothing to do with the original one. Here we have the same.

It even has a bit of black comedy and even has a bit of humor itself. Just watch some gore scene's that will remind you of Peter Jackson's Braindead (1992).

Gore it has indeed but it's a love story with zombies walking around. The production decided to clock in on the REC success, if they only had given it another name it would be okay but to say it's a follow up, no. Only hope REC 4 moves back to the apartment.

Gore 3/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 4/5 Story 3/5 Comedy 1/5

This follow-up packs a sinister and horrifying atmosphere by means of shaky camera and videotape as well as the former Spanish films titled REC 1, and 2 . Horror story plenty of suspense, restless terror and in documentary style that itself takes place from point of sight from cameraman . The action now takes place miles away from the original location and partly in broad daylight , giving the film an entirely fresh yet disturbing new reality . A couple's wedding day turns into a horrific events as some of the guests start showing signs of a strange illness . It involves a couple named Clara (Leticia Dolera) and Koldo (Diego Martin) during their wedding celebration . All their friends and family are there at the church and some are filming the wedding. Everyone can see that the couple are so in love, so happy, yet so not ready for what is going to happen while at the reception . However , the infection has contaminated the building . An the couple occupying to spend themselves the night against the zombies as they find guests have been possessed by strange demoniac forces . They are brutally attacked by psycho people ; they soon learn that people in the building have been infected by something unknown .

Highly engrossing horror , this ¨splatter¨ deals with a happy couple , Clara and Koldo , who are about to be married and is set in a timeframe prior to the other two 'REC' films . This sequel to one of the highest earning horror movies of the last years titled ¨Rec¨ is realized in similar premise to original and contains a good cast as Leticia Dolera and Diego Martin . This exciting terror picture displays horrific scenes, drama , some brief touches of humor , action, suspense, and is quite entertaining . The frightening story begins well and grows more and more until a downbeat finale . The horror moments are compactly made and fast moving . It packs tension, shocks , thrills , chills and lots of gore and blood , but the original is far superior . In a clever twist that draws together the plots of the first two movies, this third part of the saga also works as a decoder to uncover information hidden in the first two films . The movie isn't a sequel, but a parallel story to the events of ¨Rec¨ according to two scenes: when Koldo is in the control room behind him a little TV shows pictures from the first movie such as a street TV news with a sealed building, and when Tío Víctor talks to the camera about the hurt in his hand, produced after a bit of a dog apparently dead . The writers provide a well-knit plot with mystery and horror, giving full rein to Paco Plaza natural talent for the terror genre . Appropriate cinematography in documentary style by Pablo Grosso and atmospheric musical score by Mikel Salas fitted perfectly to action . The flick was finely produced by the chairman of Filmax and Castelao Productions , Julio Fernandez who along with his brother Carlos Fernandez are two successful producers and experts on Horror genre , producers of hits as ¨The machinist¨ ,¨ Fragiles¨, ¨Darkness¨, and many others. The picture was professionally directed by Paco Plaza (¨Second name¨, ¨OT¨ and "Films to Keep You Awake: The Christmas Tale" ) who along with by Jaume Balaguero are the main Spanish filmmakers expert on terror cinema , both of whom have realized the box-office big successes as ¨Rec 1¨ and ¨Rec 2¨ , among others . It's a standard terror and sometimes graphically gory and turns out to be an acceptable attempt to cash in the Zombie sub-genre . Rating : 6,5 Acceptable and passable sequel .

The original film was ¨Rec¨ by Jaume Balaquero and Paco Plaza ,two magnificent experts on terror genre , followed by ¨Rec 2¨ by the same directors and starred by Manuela Velasco ; subsequently an American version titled ¨Quarantine¨ by John Erik Dowdle starred by Jay Hernandez , Jennifer Carpenter , Steve Harris , being based on the Jaume Balaguero and Paco Plaza film . Furthermore , another film titled ¨Quarantine : the terminal¨ by John Pogue . And this third part , a prequel titled ¨Rec, Genesis¨ with similar crew and actors that leaves the door open for the final installment, the future 'REC 4 Apocalypse.'

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I'm really disappointed with what they did to the REC franchise. I really loved the first installment of the series which was one of the most scary horror movies i've seen in quite some time. The second movie of the series was quite good as well. There was a pretty good story and i fell in love with the shaky camera. When i saw they were going to create a third (and even a fourth) movie i was thrilled. I just finished watching it and i can't recommend this to anyone. The storyline of the first two movies is completely gone. There is no progression at all and it just feels like a stand alone horror movie. It doesn't contain any scares and you aren't startled watching it, it looks more like an action horror comedy which is over exaggerated on so many levels. And then the shaky cam, one of the things the REC series was so famous for, is gone as well. The first 20 minutes does contain the shaky cam but after that it's just filmed as any regular movie. People who loved the original two films should stay away from this one. I guess you could just skip to the fourth movie since there is no story telling here. You will be disappointed!

If you have seen the 1st and 2nd parts, you'll notice a few matching events between those previous movies and this one. It's another parallel story, not the beginning as you could read from it's title: "Genesis", instead of a genesis, you get a love story that gets caught in the middle of a zombie-possessed infestation.

At some point the shooting style changes from the hand-held camera to director's view, which although refreshing, breaks the sequel style. I think the first two parts were scary, but this one became a mix of action, gore, with a touch of comedy that also breaks the sequel style, specially some illogical behavior under stress situations. Acting was OK, special effects were not disappointing.

A wedding day is left ruined when the bride, groom, guests and staff have to survive a zombie-like attack.

Running parallel to its predecessors, Rec 3 Genesis follows the 'outbreak' during a wedding night. Director Paco Plaza's sequel although lighter in tone still has its fair share of jump scares, gore, poignant and heartbreaking lose moments. Finley edited Plaza's part 3 is compellingly shot at first in the style of first and second film however after the lengthy prologue it switches to a traditional film style with the soundtrack and score complimenting the the mood perfectly.

Here some of the 'infected' move at a slower pace, there's the obligatory blood spatter, deaths and outstanding special effects including a grizzly chainsaw scene.

Writers Luiso Berdejo, David Gallart and Plaza continue the sub- religious plot established in the other instalments including a nice touch where the rabid guests are unable to cross over hallowed ground. The supporting cast are mostly strong, notably is the bride Clara who is wonderfully portrayed by Leticia Dolera.

After all said and done, Genesis while removed slightly from the Rec and Rec 2 is a good fresh addition with a brave ending if even if a side piece companion of sorts to the originals.