Rec 2's opening action -and I do mean Action!- takes off immediately following the events of Rec (2007). Despite the near 2 years time elapsed between both releases, loss of continuity is never an issue. So seamless is the transition to the second part as to beg the question: Could this sequel stand if taken on its own? Regardless, for fans preferring the conclusory along with heart-pounding suspense, Rec 2 has much to offer.
As for proffered explanations, these may in fact disappoint, particularly zombie flick fanatics. With releases like 28 Weeks Later (2007) and Romero's Diary of the Dead (2007) poisoning the well of expectation, any preconceptions encouraged in Rec 1 are torn to shreds in the sequel. In the interest of avoiding spoilers, of the reveal let it be noted: How utterly Spanish; how Catholic. Yet somehow, it works.
Also successful is the ontological necessity of the reality-style cameras' existence. A large factor in part one's popularity, this use of the camera -simultaneously a part of and creator of the movie- is a formula repeated here. The chilling effect causes the audience to believe, like with The Blair Witch Project (1999), they are witnessing a found (yet highly spliced) document of 'real' events. Unfortunately, the illusion breaks each time Dr. Owen (Jonathan Mellor) punctuates the air with commands in Anglicized, broken Spanish to "keep recording; we have to document everything!"
Rec 2 goes to great lengths to provide answers to every quandary, including how the footage survives the ordeal. The only open-ended element -the very end itself- seems designed as a lead up to a part three, which, along with a Rec prequel, is rumored to already be in the works.
dir Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza
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