[Rec]

An intense horror inferno in which the directors hit the viewer with such vigor that you won't care about the questionable handheld camera - even though it has a strong defense for being there given that it’s part of a TV show where journalists want to film everything. Knowing that there’s not much new you can do with zombies, the film brings an excellent group of characters to the scene, who crystalize in the calm opening so that you can cheer them on, tooth and nail, in the final inferno. The main character is a decent character and I realized that I haven't worried about anyone in a movie as much as I did about her in a long time. The few shocking moments (the fall down the stairs, the little girl with her mother) and the entire ending, starting with the entrance to the attic, is a chapter of its own, for which I would gild the filmmakers' hands. I’d have to look far back in time to find SUCH a quality horror film. (01/01/2009)

Although I'm glad that the "randomly filmed unorganized horror" format still works great, this time it might have been a bit too much for me. While I was willing to hold my breath for Blair Witch and cower in fear for Cloverfield, [Rec] not only failed to make me identify with anyone (killing the reporter with her eternal "Keep filming! Film everything!") but the extra experience is not about atmosphere and escalating tension, but rather about when there's a moment that stops my heart and makes my ears explode. And even though those moments are really deadly, I need much more satisfaction than that. 50% (04/28/2008)

This movie is awesome! It’s been long since a horror film pulled me into the story in such way that I felt scared. REC is probably the best and most original zombie flick I’ve even seen and far above all the other films shot with a “handheld camera”. Unlike Blair Witch, it never gets boring (really, things move at full steam from beginning to end, there isn’t a single quiet moment), the characters are very believable in their fear, terror and ignorance, and their behaviour is logical (unlike Cloverfield). The old house and the fact that danger can lurk behind every door generate an amazing atmosphere that is best enjoyed watching the film alone and in the dark. I now must correct my ranking of favourite horror movies. Wholeheartedly recommended. (02/13/2008)

I finally watched the horror movie Rec, which is praised by horror fans, and I must admit that I am somewhat disappointed with the result given the high ratings and the enthusiastic reviews. Partially, it may be due to my exaggerated expectations because it is certainly not a bad movie. I just expected that a movie with an 80% rating would have an original theme, story, or truly quality execution. I was disappointed by the subject because the mystery turned out to be yet another version of a zombie horror, and I have mentioned in my reviews before that zombies simply do not scare me, or rather I am not interested in them as a horror theme. I was also disappointed by the execution because Rec does not significantly innovate the theme, it only slightly modifies it with a pseudo-documentary style, which already appeared some time ago in The Blair Witch Project. Although Rec surpasses that movie by several orders of magnitude in terms of professionalism, it is evident that the crew shot it with enthusiasm, there is a lot of energy in it, and considering what it offers to the viewers, there are no dull moments. However, that is not enough for the fourth star. There are simply too many clichés in it. Because I have seen something similar already, I essentially know exactly when someone will jump at someone else and which one of the characters will scream next. I would have liked it if the creators had taken a different path because to incite fear, isolation in an surrounded house is more than enough - fear of unknown danger, uncertainty, claustrophobia, and rapidly spreading paranoia. As it is well known, people are most afraid of what they do not see. The most atmospheric shots for me were from the attic laboratory, and I got startled once when the bulkhead doors fell... Rec has a likable cast - not that obvious acting talents appear in it, as this type of movie does not allow for that, but it is pleasant to see unknown faces instead of constantly looking at the same faces of several acting stars. I was specifically annoyed by the handheld camera, which, of course, played a crucial role in the story, but most of the footage was unnecessarily shaky and ruined my impression. The cameraman was supposed to be a professional, and if he showed me in real life something similar in the style of a seizure combined with the withdrawal of an advanced addict, I wouldn't fire him, because I would just kill him right away... Overall impression: 55%. (05/04/2009)

If it weren’t for the ending in the secret room, my satisfaction would be almost boundless. Not because the finale in the attic is bad, but I didn’t think it fitted with what came before it at all. Simply the first hour seems out of place with the final fifteen minutes, and vice versa. But otherwise, everything is as it should be. Atmosphere cuttable by knife, ideas and ideal pace and it’s punchy and effective like an attack by Barça FC. I will definitely have to think hard about where to stay in Barcelona this time round. One thing I know for sure, I won’t stay in an old tenement block under any circumstances. (07/13/2008)