| Reviews & Columns |
|
Reviews DVD TV on DVD Blu-ray 4K UHD International DVDs In Theaters Reviews by Studio Video Games Features Collector Series DVDs Easter Egg Database Interviews DVD Talk Radio Feature Articles Columns Anime Talk DVD Savant Horror DVDs The M.O.D. Squad Art House HD Talk Silent DVD
|
 DVD Talk Forum |
|
|
| Resources |
|
DVD Price Search Customer Service #'s RCE Info Links |
|
Columns
  
 
|
|
|
[REC] 4: Apocalypse
Magnolia Home Entertainment // R // January 2, 2015
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Fandango]
After crafting two strong horror films in the "found footage" style by the name of [REC] and [REC] 2, filmmakers Paco Plaza and Jaume Balagueró have decided to handle the next two entires individually. Plaza took control of [REC] 3: Genesis and Balagueró got [REC] 4: Apocalypse. While the third entry is relatively entertaining, it doesn't really continue the story found in the first two pictures. Perhaps it would have been considered to be a stronger horror flick if it didn't have the name of this series on it. Given that Plaza and Balagueró's intentions were to display this virus affecting a grander scale of people in each sequel, we're left hoping for something truly insane with the one titled "Apocalypse." Unfortunately, if you're looking for a grand return of the series, then you'll be left rather disappointed.
Television reporter Ángela is recovered from the building and taken to an oil tanker in order to be examined. Her and a few other survivors of the virus are being quarantined, as the scientists continue to try and create a cure that can save humanity from this spreading virus that continues to kill. However, the soldiers and fellow passengers are unaware of the fact that she still carries the seed of the demonic virus that could go on to destroy the world. The outcome of what occurs on this oil tanker could determine the future well-being of mankind.
,br> Those with any interest in seeing how Ángela's story unfolds after [REC] 2 will be pleased to see that the plot is finally moving forward. However, the question of whether Balagueró can successfully capture the intensity found in the first two entries by himself is a critical one. The idea to have the quarantine take place on an oil rig certainly limits the scope that fans were expecting to have expanded by now. However, if you're looking for another claustrophobic feature, then perhaps this will work better for you with the majority of the action taking place within the narrow corridors of the ship. Naturally, there are sudden power outages due to a large amount of electricity being drained by the scientists' equipment, which is held secret from the passengers onboard. This is only the beginning of the wide array of horror clichés that are to come, as every plot beat is instantly recognizable. [REC] 4: Apocalypse really doesn't do anything in order to set itself apart from the crowd. It doesn't even pull from the more unique aspects of the previous entries, as it borrows from the zombie formula, and doesn't look back.
Perhaps one of the more inventive aspects of the first two [REC] entries is that people are turning into demons through the spread of a virus, rather than into the predictable zombie. The history of it all is still quite hazy, but at least it's something different. Much of this notion is abandoned here, with the exception of the fact that a bunch of archival footage is shown from the first picture. Nic (Ismael Fritschi) attempts to retrieve the footage from the camera that filmed Ángela's terrifying encounter with this virus. Otherwise, the virus is treated much like it belongs in a zombie flick, which isn't what this series is all about. It simply confuses what this virus really is, and what it does to change somebody into a blood-thirsty savage. However, [REC] 4: Apocalypse proves to have a much more deeply-rooted problem, as it has a severe lack of tension. Even with being in such an enclosed space, I never found myself sitting at the edge of my seat. It doesn't help with difficult it is to find a reason to care about any of the individuals on board, other than Ángela. Every scare is utterly predictable, as no creativity is utilized in order to make us truly fear this demon virus in the same way that the first two entries did.
While far from perfect, [REC] 3: Genesis cared about its two leads, allowing for the audience to at least become relatively invested in them. When a film doesn't even have any passion for its own characters, how can audiences possibly be expected to care? [REC] 4: Apocalypse works with an incredibly unsympathetic group of new faces, and it places Ángela on the back burner. While it's great to see her on the screen again, the film simply doesn't make her feel as important as the first two features did. Balagueró and Manu Díez's screenplay falls flat in every category, and it fails to elevate the series to any level that would make it even slightly amusing. It lacks the scares and tension that are needed for this to be a successful horror film.
It's impossible to win in the argument of whether the "found footage" style is a successful tool in the horror genre. Some find it to add a sense of realism that couldn't be achieved otherwise, while others find it to be a tiresome distraction, or in some cases, a dizzying experience. It's all up for interpretation. [REC] 4: Apocalypse is the first in the franchise to be filmed conventionally from start to finish. However, it lacks both the realism of the first two, and the polish of the third film. With its bleak cinematography, the setting of the oil tanker isn't entirely utilized. The first few minutes of the running time look creepy and ominous, although this isn't carried through the remainder of the picture, as it oozes with generic lighting and camera angles. This truly feels like a low-budget direct-to-video flick through and through.
With a name such as "Apocalypse," it's impossible not to be disappointed when the film is locked up in an oil tanker in the middle of the ocean for its duration. If anything, the scale has shrunken considerably. The ongoings of this demonic virus feel so tiny, even despite the talks of a massive outbreak. Operating under genre clichés, Jaume Balagueró's film lacks any sort of creativity. The setting isn't properly captured, and the thrills and chills are surprisingly absent. [REC] 3: Genesis has its share of problems, but it remains to be a mildly amusing horror venture that explores two relatively sympathetic characters. The same cannot be said about this follow-up, as it seems to lack a sense of interest in itself. [REC] 4: Apocalypse marks an all-time low for the series. Skip it.
|
| Popular Reviews |
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Release List | Reviews | Shop | Newsletter | Forum | DVD Giveaways | Blu-Ray | Advertise |
|
Copyright 2024 DVDTalk.com All Rights Reserved. Legal Info, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use,
Manage Preferences,
Your Privacy Choices 
| |||||||