[Rec]³: Génesis

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.

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

It's all in the title of my review. After the brilliant first two parts which made found footage style horror movies cool and full of suspense and dread, we get this overacted and over the top movie. Don't get me wrong. It's fun to see a bride in her wedding dress running with chainsaw. But scary it is most surely not. On the other hand, I can't imagine a better romantic horror movie for honeymoon, so that's something. Oh, and the whole idea of the series, you know, where everything is filmed with shaky camera? That's gone. Beginning of the movie is like that, but then it turns to a completely normal movie, at least in the way of filming. It's not that this movie isn't fun, it just isn't what you expect from an entry in this series. I give it 6/10! It isn't worst thing you can watch as a horror movie fan for fun, but it's far from excellency of the first two movies.

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.

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!