[REC]³: Génesis

Besides the classically good zombie scenes,[Rec]³: Genesis is also notable for its omnipresent humor. It doesn't shout at you loudly, but for example, the wedding guests in armor are simply a great example of absurdity. It isn't a great film that offers something new in the zombie genre, but it's gritty horror fun that will thrill fans of the genre and even the handheld camera is decent every now and then. (2016.08.21)

If [Rec] = Alien and [Rec]² = Aliens, therefore [REC]³ Génesis = Alien: Resurrection. It’s not the same, so what? So, instead of the anticipated prequel that would explain the origin of the virus (the name is very… disingenuous… misleading?), we have a standalone“zombie” survival with a very different style, whose connection with the first and second parts I reckon will be seen at the end of the tetralogy. Personally, it didn’t bother me nearly as much as I thought it would after the first largely negative responses. Compared to the last time, there’s less creativity and original ideas – Paco Plaza is not Balagueró, which everybody familiar with the work of both gentlemen feared, but there are still a couple of interesting moments, and, overall, it’s a brisk, gripping and fun horror film (too much in fact at some points – the scene with the chainsaw was too over the top – and these are the moments that bothered me the most in Genesis), but it will not have it easy with most fans. That’s not surprising, but this time I’m not joining in the general hate. For me, a relatively satisfied respite for 75%, and I’m curious about what Jaume will bring for the conclusion. (2012.07.20)

Now I hope that the fourth part will follow the second one and I will simply skip Genesis and give that movie my own title, which will have nothing to do with the cult REC. I dare to say that the only mistake was in the title and it influenced the rating of almost everyone who saw the previous parts. If it wasn't a prequel, maybe I would give it 3 stars, because the actors weren't that terrible. Another factor that didn't sit well with me was the switching of cameras. Just for that reason, it's not REC! I'm also scared of that subtitle. The beginning of what? The beginning of the end of two newlyweds, I see nothing more in it. Just a subpar bloody crap. (2012.08.09)

Comparisons are sometimes made that put the [REC] series in parallel with Aliens. That’s wrong, my friends, because each time a different creator presented his vision. This isn't a distinctive contribution to the theme, but rather a release of infected blood down the throat of yet another episode where Plaza honors the series only in that he spares no blood. The rest is a collection of "dafuq?" questions over the plot, the behavior of the characters, and even the creative approach itself, where attempts at splatter comedy in the style of Jackson's early work utterly fail. I'm hoping Balagueró will give the Plaza at least three educational slaps with the fourth film. (2012.08.24)