An ill-fated television reporter is rescued and sent on a voyage across the ocean, but she is followed by the deadly virus that has plagued her and numerous others.
After “[Rec] 3: Genesis” I was intrigued to see where they were going to go next.
Well we’ve reached the last film in the franchise, with this entry we see the series star Manuela Velasco return to the forefront and whilst I’m happy about that it does feel like like the studio is trying to sweep “[REC] 3: Genesis” under the rug and by bringing Velasco back it was a way to bring fans back and whilst it may have worked to some degree it didn’t mean the film was any better.
Whilst I will wholeheartedly agree that this film was better and I did actually enjoy it, it just didn’t feel right as once again the found footage was gone and it was filmed like a normal movie, the dodgy CGI shots didn’t help too much either as the scenes of the boat in the sea look like something out of a game which I’ve always found very off putting as it h=just takes you out of the moment.
That’s not to say that all the effects are bad, there are some great moments which I won’t ruin for you and despite not being set in a found footage style there are still times when you will find yourself glued to the screen and clenching the edge of your seat. The thing was that throughout the whole film I felt like I was trying to force myself to like it more than I did and that’s a shame.
Whilst this film is still a step above it’s predecessor it still doesn’t reach the heights of the first two films and even though I wasn’t expecting that, I must admit I was expecting more than what we got. We do have to remember though that it all could have been so much worse and I’m thankful that we at least got somewhat of a decent ending and not having to watch it a disaster unfold.
“[REC] 4 – Apocalypse” is good but it’s not great, I don’t think there’s more I can say than that.
Miscellaneous facts about the film:
Tristana Medeiros (the possessed girl who started the outbreak) is the only character to appear in all four films.
This is the only installment of the franchise that’s not filmed as found footage at all (only the beginning of [REC] 3: Genesis (2012) was filmed as found footage).
Most of the film was shot on an actual oil rig ship. Some of the sets had to be recreated from the ship at the studio in order to allow space to film and do stunts.
Comic book artist Charlie Adlard known for his work in The Walking Dead (2010) comics drew a poster for this film’s US release, as did Tony Moore for [REC] 3: Genesis (2012).
The only instalment of the franchise where we do not see the possessed girl in person.
The elderly woman on the ship is a survivor of the [REC] 3: Genesis (2012) wedding massacre, although she believes she is still attending the party. She is also Koldo’s grandmother.
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