The Spanish horror shown as found footage and shot with a handheld camera immediately demands attention from the viewer. REC follows a television reporter named Angela and her cameraman Pablo who are covering a shift at a local fire station for a documentary when the fire station receives a phone call about a trapped woman. When they arrive at the apartment building of the woman things quickly begin to get out of hand as the screaming begins…
REC is a fast paced, fresh, adrenaline pumping zombie film. The film is set in one apartment building as it is sealed off for quarantine, as the film moves on following Angela and Pablo they move up the floors of the building becoming more trapped than they can imagine and makes it feel extremely claustrophobic and is if you’re there along side Pablo with the camera which is much more effective than The Blair Witch Project or Paranormal Activity. In retrospect some of the scares could be seen coming, and it is a very simple narrative, but it is a totally thrilling experience nonetheless. The acting is convincing and visually it’s realistic.The vision on the camera is often turned on and off and we’re left relying on the voice of the characters creating gripping, nail biting tension. The final scene being shot using night vision is where the film finally reaches its peak and keeps us left half in the dark and on the edge of our seats.
The film doesn’t take itself too serious in revealing why the undead are running around as it leaves plenty for the sequel [REC 2], but It’s an original zombie thriller with plenty of chaos, gore and shocks for the audience done effectively well. The U.S remake Quarantine has nothing on this brilliant horror, so whether or not you’ve seen that, give RECa try.