[REC] (2007)

[REC] (2007) (see below for trailer and preview images)

Co-directed and Written by
Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza
 
Starring: Manuela Velasco, Ferran Terraza, Jorge-Yamam Serrano
 ​
IMDb 7.5/10                Rotten Tomatoes 88%            Metacritic 69/100

This thrilling film takes us through the horrifying events of an apartment complex that comes under quarantine after it’s discovered that there may be a deadly virus in the building, spreading among the occupants.  Fire and Rescue workers arrive on scene only to watch the horrors unfold right before their eyes.  One by one each person must face the terrifying truth that they are trapped among the sickness and try to figure out what to do as bodies and fear start to pile up.
 
This is a Spanish found footage film that inspired the American made film Quarantine.  Although it was in Spanish and had subtitles, I did NOT find that to be bothersome or a problem.  The acting was fantastic and the scare factor was good too.  As I have stated before, I don’t usually like found footage films but, this was on a list of top 100 horror movies of all time so I thought I would give it a go.  I’m so glad I did.
 
The film takes a little bit to get moving but once it does, it is constant and intense.  There were definitely times I was like “Whoa!” and there was some serious shock value in some of the scenes.  But, the best part of the film was just the constant action and chilling realizations that hit as the movie unfolds.
 
We start with a field reporter and her cameraman.  They are doing interviews at a fire station and when a call comes in for help at an apartment complex, they are allowed to tag along.  They soon find out that the call turns into them being trapped in the apartment complex, faced with certain death as a virus spreads and infects the residents.
 
The reporter and the cameraman are determined to get EVERYTHING on camera, especially once they find out they are not being allowed to leave OR getting any answers from police and government officials outside the building.
 
The rest is just gross, disgusting, horrifying and WONDERFUL!!!!
 
If you get a chance and can handle subtitles, you’ll like this film.  I thought it was very well done.  It even spawned a franchise, the [Rec] series.  I believe there are four of them.  All are in Spanish but, as we have seen, that doesn’t always make a difference.  This is probably the best found footage film I’ve seen thus far.  So, I would recommend you give it a shot.  I’ll watch Quarantine and see how similar they are. I’ll have that up to read within a couple weeks.
 
RATINGS
4/5 Stars