The REC franchise is very dear to my heart as both a horror lover and zombie fan, starting out in such obvious genre territories, but advancing the story film by film with a rich, submersive, and overall intriguing religious backstory that defies normal horror conventions. Hell, I even took a liking to REC 3: Genesis, finding my review here, even though many fans were up in arms over the obviously jokey tone Paco Plaza decided to utilize.
So whether you enjoyed the wedding day blues of Koldo and Clara or were an outspoken hater of REC 3: Genesis, we finally have good news to report on Jaume Balaguero’s singular directorial effort and fourth film in the franchise, REC 4: Apocalypse.
Thanks to Bloody Disgusting, we have the first official teaser trailer, first official poster, and a plot synopsis that gives some direction of where the film is going. First off, here’s the first description of Balaguero’s REC installment, but for anyone not caught up with the franchise, please note spoilers WILL follow:
“Angela Vidal, the young television reporter who entered the building with the fireman, manages to make it out alive. But what the soldiers don’t know is that she carries the seed of the strange infection.
She is to be taken to a provisional quarantine facility, a high-security installation where she will have to stay in isolation for several days. An old oil tanker, miles off shore and surrounded by water on all sides, has been especially equipped for the quarantine.“
So we knew Angela Vidal (Manuela Velasco) would be escaping the quarantined apartment building after she bested the priest in REC 2, but personally I was hoping to see the infection spreading on a full-scale and chaotic level, as the above mentioning of an oil tanker solidifies the thought that we’ll be returning to another claustrophobic and dark setting like the apartment building. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I’ll admit I got a little giddy imagining Balaguero’s vision of a Spain where the infected run free and we get a true feel of the apocalypse, much like how REC 4: Apocalypse is named. Maybe our director can work in outside shots from other characters, akin to our adventurous teens from REC 2, but expect most of the action to take place at sea.
The other big question surrounding Balaguero’s film will be the camera style, as REC 3: Genesis departed from the franchise’s signature first-person camera shooting style. Will REC 4: Apocalypse continue the typical “fly on the wall” type third-person filmmaking, or will we return to the frantic terror that came from utilizing a cameraman who was able to put you in the zombified horror, up close and personal? Well, it looks like we’ll still have to wait for confirmation, as the teaser doesn’t release any footage from Balaguero’s film, instead just recalling past events from both REC and REC 2.
For our English speakers, the text basically translates to “You know her, you know the place, and now it’s time to leave.” I know, nothing special, but at the least we’re given a really intense mash-up of hair-raising scenes that get the blood pumping in excitement for Balaguero’s film. That’s all a teaser is meant to do, and I’ll admit, it worked pretty damn well on me.
Alright REC fans, the time has come to see our beloved franchise finally end, but based on REC 3: Genesis, some people are hesitant in getting excited for REC 4: Apocalypse. Me, I’ll be watching Balaguero’s flick the first instant I can, but what about you – do you think Jaume Balaguero can steer the franchise back into the waters of mass appeal? Will the oil rig provide a spooky setting for the infection to destroy, or would you have rather seen more open areas filled with large quantities of infected? Does the teaser excite you?! Alright, enough with the questions, sorry, this isn’t grade school, but be sure to let us know in the comments your feelings on the upcoming film! Oh, and as a bonus, enjoy the first splatterific official poster!
