Rec 3 - Genesis

The original Rec was a classic – one of the few ‘found footage’ films that actually worked. It was no wonder it was not only remade (reasonably faithfully) for the American audience as ‘Quarantine,’ but also spawned a sequel which was very similar to the original in look and feel (although not quite as good, but definitely passable). How much enjoyment you get out of the third instalment will depend on how well you deal with the change (spoilers ahead). After twenty minutes of setting up the film as shot from the first person via a wedding video, it deliberately changes itself into a regular ‘third person’ film. Not only do they do this to kind of surprise the audience, but it also serves as one of the indicative new main ingredients, i. e. some self-knowingness. Rec 1 and 2 were both as serious as they come, whereas part 3 (Rec 3: Genesis as it’s known) throws in more than a fair few moment of comedy and parody. Therefore it moves the film away from the familiar Rec territory and comes across more like a regular zombie/horror film that rolls along happily, never taking itself too seriously. If this film was simply called ‘Genesis’ and had nothing to do with the franchise, it would probably have got a better reception overall. However, the changes obviously was a gamble and not for everyone. Rec 3 never reaches the chilling heights of terror that its predecessors managed, but it is still an entertaining little yarn that you should be able to enjoy if you like your gore messy and plot holes easily overlooked.

As huge a REC fan as I am, this film has truely tainted a brilliant story. After watching the 1st film, I was blown away by what has become one of my favourite films. I wasn't looking forward to the 2nd as sequels often try and bounce off the success of the original, often failing. However, it was as good, if not better, and all in one block of appartments. If you are reading reviews as you are considering watching the film, my advice watch REC1 and REC2 and stop. The acting is actually quite good, although still short of the acting of the main character in the first 2. That was genuine fear, this is a sneeze in comparison. These are meant to be infected humans/possessed humans...They have become old school zombies who walk slowly with a limp. The infected were genuienly terrifying in the previous 2, now they are laughable. It has been made into a bit of a comedy with the main characters uncle a smiling almost giggling zombie, and his grandad a deaf zombie who crawls around. It is utterly ridiculous. I am unsure whether I liked the self-filming/cinematic filiming switch. It wasn't horrendous but it was about the only time I gasped in the whole film as I didn't realised they had done that and it kind of takes away from what REC is. Although the acting isn't bad, the scripting is horrendous at times. It starts off quite good until the granny stands at the door of the church talking to a bunch of zombies who do nothing, they don't attempt to enter (there is a suggestion that they can't enter a holy place but this was badly done again). I actually laughed when a character gets her arm chopped off. She gasps for a second, a couple of squirts of blood and then gets up and carries on. If I could sum this film up in a word...Ridiculous. Avoid unless you want to see if they can redeem themselves for the planned REC4.

The movie started out well with the setting of a wedding adding a different dimension to the genre. then religion had to ruin it all and turn what could have been a visceral treat into a joke.

A decent enough movie, but far more fun if you think about it as a standalone, and ignore the fact it's part of a far superior franchise. Let's hope the forthcoming Red 4 gets things back on track...

It seems as though they've made their two films and got offered a lot more money to do an extra one that they've had some fun with. Enjoyed it as a stand alone film but too silly to be considered a serious part of the Rec franchise. Anyone who doesn't enjoy the John Sponge recurring joke has no sense of humour however.