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• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001LKW9QG
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #157,751 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Terrifying Simplicity That Grabs You by the Throat and Never Lets Go..., March 25, 2009

By 

Woopak "The THRILL" (Where Dark Asian Knights Dwell) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: [Rec] (2008 Spanish Movie) (all-region) (DVD)

This is a review of the NC-17 (category III) release.
The award-winning, blockbuster Spanish horror film "REC" had already been remade for U.S. audiences under the nom de plume "Quarantine". I have seen both horror films, and I have decided to focus on reviewing the original film rather than comparing the two. Directed by Jaume Balaguero, "REC" is a film that adapts the first person, POV style shaky camera style that was first adapted by "Blair Witch Project" and later on also in "Cloverfield" and even Romero's "Diary of the Dead". The film has the B-grade movie feel, but the director made it work. After all, what better way to emulate realism with a DV camera than for the movie to look very unpolished and rough around the edges? I'll get right to the point, I enjoyed "Quarantine" but "REC" is a lot better.

A television reporter named Angela Vidal (sexy Manuela Velasco) and her cameraman, Pablo (Pablo Rosso) is covering a local fire stations in Barcelona for a TV show called "While you're Asleep". Things seemed very uneventful, Angela is just hanging out with some local firemen, Alex and Manu (Ferrah Terraza) until the station receives a call to an apartment building where screams have been heard. The TV team tags along with the firemen and meets up with local police officers. Once there, they find an old woman seemingly frightened and attacks one of the policemen. Suddenly, Angela, the firemen and all the tenants of the building become trapped inside the building by a Hazmat crew and they have been isolated from the outside world. Things go from bad to worse as things go out of control as the tenants become mysteriously infected that makes them violently feral. Angela and Pablo may not survive the night...

"REC" has the type of plot that is very simple and follows established groundwork for zombie films such as the "28 Days Later" franchise. A supposed virus that causes violent behavior isn't really original but the film's execution is very strong in generating suspense and claustrophobia. I am not really a big fan of the shaky POV style camera work but director Balaguero does pay attention to the smallest details as to how this style should be executed. There are some gaps in the camerawork, some sound being unrecorded and the camera does take certain shots that make the viewer feel that Pablo is indeed running for his life. When it comes to terror, "REC" does not disappoint, the camera does feel like it is a significant part of the film rather than a gimmick.

The film's style feels very rough and edgy. (Quarantine was polished and beautified) The film looks very simple and stays close to realism. The apartment looks very normal until the lights go off--then we see how the direction takes over in the horrifying sequences. The film is nicely paced and a little short at 79 minutes but I thought this was a clever move. The film is essentially a chase film with Angela, Pablo and Manu running for their lives with no way out, the outside world have no intention of helping for fear of a pandemic. Its short runtime makes the film leaner, more intense and faster-paced to generate the scares that it never lets up. The film has the recommended doses of BLOOD and Gore which are perfectly timed and placed. As for its plot, "REC" downplays any solid explanations as to the source of the virus until the final act where it gives hints to the cause with a hidden laboratory. "REC" strongly states that "we're not sure what is going on.." and yes, any solid answers as to the virus will somewhat remain a mystery and lack solid closure. Is it something demonic or something biological?

Much of the film's strength would have to come from the lead characters. The film does have some rather less than impressive characters; an Asian couple, a homosexual super, an intern from a hospital, and much of their developments come from the interviews Angela performs while waiting around. These are your everyday normal folk, people we wouldn't pay attention to when we walk down the street--they look very real and a little silly, much like the folks we see everyday. Manuela Velasco looks, talks and behaves like a reporter; much of her emotions come from a reactionary performance and Velasco certainly pulls it off--the viewer will have no problems feeling sympathy towards her character.

"REC" is the type of horror film that is smart, simple and plays on all its strengths that it manages to make the simplicity of its plot a main part of its direction; along with its rough and edgy claustrophobic atmosphere. While it does have no involving subtext and engaging characters, the film is incredibly tense, that the direction manages to bring about chills and thrills that all its suspense would come from its fast-paced build-up that uses that genuine feeling of helplessness. The final act of the film also serves up the incredible reward as you become privy to one of the freakiest images ever seen on " make believe" POV camera". This Spanish horror film may not be offer anything groundbreaking, but it certainly is solid, competent and entertainingly freaky!

Highly Recommended! [4- Stars]
Note: I own the region-3 Uncut Release published by EDKO (Hong Kong)

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nothing We Havent Seen Before..But It Will Scare You For Sure, February 14, 2009

By 

Sebastian Sanjurjo "mr.movie expert" (Miami FL) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: [Rec] (2008 Spanish Movie) (all-region) (DVD)

This little low budget Spanish made Film is a something I came across after heaing about the movie Quarantine. i had heard that this is th original version..I for one always watch the original before the remake. I havent seen Quarantine yet..but this movie looks very similiar to that of the previews on Tv for the American version.

[REC] is very similiar to 28 Days Later and Dawn OF The Dead. Same story as always;a virus spreads,you get bitten you turn into them..that simple. What makes this movie shine is the approach. the acting in this movie feels real..it didnt feel as if people were acting,no it felt like how someone would react in a situation so frieghtning as in the film.

The movie begins with a female reporter working on a documentary inside a Fire Station. the reporter and cameraman decide to tag along with the fire dept's crew on a cruise along the city...to see what is exactly what they do. They arrive at an apt where neighboors are complaining about somone upstairs...I will not get more into details,but let me tell you,as soon as the police and fire dept crew enter...it gets really scary. the apt gets sealed completly,meaning no one gets out...and ofcourse the virus spreads...its insane

One of the best things the director managed to do was to make the film in documentary style all the way. Now unlike cloverfield or blair witch,in this movie you actually see whats going on...its not all shaking to make it look scary and confusing. From what I have heard the movie is almost scene by scene like that of Quarantine. I honestly dont know why hollywood keeps doing this,butchering,copying,and insulting audience with re-makes..its like they cant get there own idea. Even though I have yet to see the American re-make,I am more than sure this one is still better. by the way if you do plan to buy this movie, I sugest that you watch it in its original language;the dubbed version is horrible. I watched like 2 min of it dubbed in English..and it wasn't pleasing...good thing I understand Spanish. But dont worry,it has English Subtitles for those whp dont understand the language.Either way even though it's not entirely original,it still kicks in some new scary moments...definetly a must own by horror fans.


MY PERSONAL RATING: 4 OUT OF 5

4.0 out of 5 stars a pleasant surprise, March 10, 2010

By 

Charles M "Be more concerned with your charac... (USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: [Rec] (2008 Spanish Movie) (all-region) (DVD)

I heard about this movie from a couple of Spanish speaking friends of mine and decided to give it a watch. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the actors did at giving the movie an authentic news crew b-roll/filler feel to the footage. They really made you believe that this really could have been filmed by some poor local news crew out shooting filler for some local station somewhere in Spain. In fact I enjoyed the movie so much that I went and saw the American version Quarantine also. I don't want to give the movie away for those that haven't seen it but if you are a fan of horror movies then give this one a try. You will be pleasantly surprises too.