[REC] is the film on which QUARANTINE was based. In fact, QUARANTINE is almost a shot-for-shot remake of [REC] from start to finish. I happened to see QUARANTINE first and, whether or not that ruined the effect that [REC] should have had on me will always remain a mystery. However, in terms of style and suspense [REC] is a better film.
The story is the same as it is in Quarantine. A group of documentary filmmakers is shooting a piece on the lifestyles of firefighters and how they do their jobs. When a random call comes in and the firemen are dispatched, the crew rides along with them. The call leads them to an apartment building where a woman is believed to be in danger. The woman, it turns out, is infected with some weird disease and she attacks and bites anyone in her way. As the residents, the film crew and the fire and police officers try to exit the building, they find that they have been locked in and that a SWAT team along with other agencies have, in fact, quarantined the building to make sure no one gets out until they can determine what is going on. This, in turn, pits the uninfected against the infected in the building, and a fight for their lives ensues. Hell begins to break loose, and it appears that no help is on the way. The survivors must try to find a way out while avoiding the infected, the snipers, and other law enforcement that surround the building.
[REC] is a powerful horror film full of many suspenseful moments. The script is very well-written and, while the story and characters are not evenly balanced, the script as a whole delivers. The story is the main focus over the character development, although the lead characters are developed more than the supporting ones who for, the most part, are there to become victims anyway. It is a story that gives us a little at a time before it hits us with the truth and then the shocking ending.
The film is shot from the point of view of one cameraman the whole time. That cameraman himself (Pablo) is one of the film’s characters, as well, although we hardly see his face in the film. This allows the filmmakers to actually shoot a film in what seems like real time, and any mistakes are accepted by the audience because of its raw documentary feel. The performances in the film are very good and very believable. Each actor in the film fits his or her part well. The film also has some great set designs and the overall make-up effects are flawless. Personally, I thought the creature costumes and make-up looked better than they did in QUARANTINE.
The DVD does not have much in terms of special features other than a “Making of” featurette. You can also watch the film dubbed in English or with English subtitles.
Overall, while I enjoyed both [REC] and QUARANTINE equally, and they both are essentially the same movie; [REC] has the edge. Its storyline is tighter and it is a lot more suspenseful than its remake. I highly recommend this one for fans who have seen QUARANTINE and have yet to see [REC]. There is also a second film in post-production. So there is more [REC] on the way. This is a must-see film for horror fans.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
