A Horror Film with the Jitters

Finally, it has been proven that it is indeed possible to make a decent horror film from the perspective of a hand-held camera. We've sat through the dizzying hasty shots of "Cloverfield" and even got a few scares from "Quarantine," the Hollywood remake of Spain's "[REC']," but if you prefer a well-crafted and a smooth visually engaging horror film, "[REC] 2" might just quench your zombie thirst.

Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza's sequel to their 2007 film "[REC]," with the same plot of the American remake "Quarantine," picks up just moments after the exhilarating cliff-hanger ending of the first film. A SWAT team enters the isolated apartment building that is supposedly contaminated by a virus spread by rabies, but circumstances have shifted slightly in this sequel with the addition of a twist on the story. "[REC] 2" veers away from the original rabies-infested zombie thriller and branches out towards a story of demonic possessions, revealing the mysterious background of the virus. This diversion in plot and explanation behind the outrageous events—which was entirely left out of the American remake, leaving audiences dumbfounded—might throw some off, since many moviegoers are tired of the familiar demon-ghost themes of films like "Paranormal Activity" and "The Exorcist." But don't turn away just yet, the gory blood-oozing faces of the possessed evil zombies of "[REC] 2" will certainly keep you jumping.

A sequel to a horror film might not seem all too intriguing at first, especially if the same story and exact location are maintained, but directors Balagueró and Plaza successfully surpass the conventional low-grade scary movie in giving us an innovative crisp look through the lens of the cameras—and not just one this time, but many. Instead of enduring the nauseating jittery motion of one handheld camera, the SWAT officers of "[REC] 2" each have their own personal cameras, allowing the audience to gain a wider, more realistic perspective of the action. With smooth transitions from camera to camera that don't leave you confused and straining your eyes, "[REC] 2" is a superior horror flick that literally puts you in the camera man's shoes, almost fearing for your own life as if you're trapped in a room of demonic zombies.

Although the quality of the film and the pace of events are superb, it must be acknowledged that there is not much unanticipated action or much heightened momentum. With "Quarantine" the audience remains just as scared and confused as the victims in the film—as Hollywoodized and corny as they may be—since we know just as little as they do. But with "[REC] 2" we enter the film with more background and expectations, eliminating the possibility of surprise. While the satanic-voiced zombie attacks remain entertaining, the plot continues along a steady path, until we reach a twist ending—which unfortunately isn't as intensely jaw-dropping as it could be.

Although "[REC] 2" fails through its lack of thrilling surprises and unanticipated suspense, it still proves itself as a quality horror film that leaves you without the weary headache and overwhelming perplexity of "What just happened?" If you love zombie films, horror films, or just downright entertaining thrillers, "[REC] 2" will surely be a pleaser that still leaves you hanging.

Erin Whitney Faigh is a staff writer. E-mail her at film@nyunews.com.