Certified Ace Movie Review : [REC] Apocalypse

[REC] Apocalypse, a satisfying cruise to the end.

Genre: Horror
Country: Spain
Studio:  Canal+ España, Filmax
Release Date: October 31, 2014 (Spain)
January 2, 2015 (United States)

Director: Jaume Balagueró
Starring Manuela Velasco, Paco Manzanedo, Hector Colome, Mariano Venancio



It all started with the release of the Spanish found-footage styled horror film [REC] in 2007. In the film,television reporter Angela Vidal (played by Manuela Velasco) gets trapped in a building together with some other residents as swarm of ravenous infected people attacks them. The film was well-received by critics and audiences alike, spawning three sequels.
The first sequel was [REC] 2, with it's story taking off directly where the first movie left off. Released in 2009, it revolves around a doctor together with a SWAT team as they enter the the building as to find out what happened with its residents. Here they found and rescued Angela Vidal, who was unbeknowst to them, was already possessed by the demon who was the source of the virus.
The next one was released in 2012, entitled [REC] Genesis, featuring a new setting and a new set of characters. This time, a wedding reception becomes turns into a killing ground as the guest gets infected one by one with the virus, turning them into ghouls hungry for human flesh. This also marks the shift of the film series in using found-footage style camerawork to the traditional cinematography.
The final film in the series features the return of the series' main protagonist, Angela Vidal ( Manuela Velasco). In [REC] Apocalypse, she finds herself aboard a ship where a doctor is trying to isolate the source of the outbreak. Just like the third installment of the series, the final film was shot using traditional cinematography.

So did the film met my expectations for a zombie movie? Let's have a breakdown of the film to check.


Story

In [REC] Apocalypse, Angela Vidal ( Manuela Velasco) wakes up to find herself aboard a ship together with other survivors of the virus outbreak including an elderly woman (who was the mother of the bride from Genesis), Guzman (Paco Manzanedo) and his partner, Lucas (Críspulo Cabeza) who were the soldiers that rescued her from the building. They were told by the doctors in the ship that they were trying to contain the virus, at the same time creating an antidote for the infected.
But after someone intentionally releases the infected test subject that they were using to create the antidote, chaos ensues in the ship as it's crew turns into ravenous creatures.
There is nothing new with the film's story because it just seemed like a rehash of other genre flick about science experiments gone wrong where their subjects escapes or was released. The only thing I guess that makes this film unique would be it's setting. The action takes place in the middle of the ocean. With no communication from the outside world (as part of their containment control), it gives the film a feeling that everything is lost. It's as if there's really no way out of this chaos anymore, a feeling that is more appropriate for the film's title.
Although I did liked the film's ending, I'm still a bit disappointed because it doesn't really gives out a concrete ending to the whole series. It ends in a scene that left me hanging for more (which isn't very nice since this is the series' final film).
I also found the movie to be full of racism, with the way they treated the Negro and the way they call the Filipino cook (who became the first to get infected in the crew). Although I really don't have anything against the writers and producers about this, I just think it's inappropriate with the way they stereotype these characters.


Acting

Acting wise, Manuela Velasco is brialliant for her role as the protagonist. She can easily relay her emotions through her face. She can look feeble when she needs to , then shifts her image to someone fierce when she needed to fight back.

Héctor Colomé as Dr. Ricarte. His character makes up a good antagonist because he believes that the parasite that caused the virus is still inside Angela's body. He becomes fixated with his mission in creating an antidote for the infection. One can really feel the tension that his presence brings to the screen.
The rest of the cast are equally good. Paco Manzanedo,  Críspulo Cabezas, Ismael Fritschi, and Mariano Venanci were all equally good in acting, adding up to the film's effectiveness.


Direction

Director Jaume Balagueró was a great choice to helm the film as he was successful in keeping up the tension and thrill all throughout the film.
I really liked how he has perfectly orchestrated some of the scenes, most especially the part where the cook was attacked by the infected monkey (which was the missing test subject for the experiment). I love how he created suspense as the infected monkey sneeks up behind him.
For me, this is the best scene in the film, amidst all the zombie killings (which were also gorgeously gory).
Aside from this, there were a lot of scenes invloving the characters venturing around the ship that are sure to provide excitement all through out. Scenes where they walk into a corridor, waiting for whatever is on the other side to show up were really intense. Director Jaume Balagueró also uses these scenes to give emphasis on the claustrophobic settings, adding to the feeling that there's no way out of this hell.

Technical Aspects

The film will totally delight horror fans out there as it gives out what we are expecting in a zombie-themed horror movie. Infected crew ripping off their victim's flesh. Blood spraying all over the place. All of which are seen all through out the film.

It also features one of the hair-raising zombie prosthetic make up I've ever seen. I really loved the look of the infected cook. with pus-filled swellings on his cheeks. It looks so cool and disgusting at the same time. It's way different than most zombie designs I've seen before in other horror movies. Compared to dozens of films about people being infected by a virus turning them into zombies like Dawn of the Dead or World War Z, the Infected here are far more scarier. Imagine bumping into one of these freaks in a hallway inside a ship. That's definitely a nightmare .I must say that this is really one of the best zombies I've seen in my life. It totally gave me the creeps!

I also loved how they created the infected monkey that spread the virus in the ship. It looked so real and it's as if a real monkey was used during filming. Unlike other horror films which usually use too much CGI effects that ends up looking so stupid, this one really looks organic and authentic.
I couldn't ask for more for when it comes to production values. It's just high-grade.


Overall

Despite the way they ended the series which will just leave you wanting more, the film will surely delight fans of the genre as it provides all the goods that one can expect. Plus a little bit more.
It brings the zombie-apocalypse genre back to life after a slew of horrible movies that killed it and drove it down to its grave. This movie is definitely worth the look.



I'm awarding this movie with 4 out of 5 stars.