Creed II
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Mission: Impossible - Fallout
Homecoming
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Critics Consensus: It lacks the surprising jolt of the first installment, but [REC] 2 almost maintains the original's chilling momentum -- and proves not all horror sequels were made equal.
Critic Consensus: It lacks the surprising jolt of the first installment, but [REC] 2 almost maintains the original's chilling momentum -- and proves not all horror sequels were made equal.
All Critics (71) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (48) | Rotten (23) | DVD (1)
Multiplying the video-cams only dilutes the effect. Better to stick with one perspective. And see [Rec] first.
The quality has deteriorated like a dubbed VHS.
Bloodthirsty zombies come out to play to diminishing effect in this DIY-style Spanish horror sequel.
Frantic from the get-go, this new crop of zombie bait barrels through shadowy hallways and fends off waxen, emaciated attackers with such hysterical speed it's impossible to know -- or care -- whose face has just been chomped.
The shaky camera work (and explosive gore) can get literally nauseating. But when the characters' cameras run low, and the screen goes black? That's the scariest thing of all.
Unlike so many sequels, [REC] 2 builds nicely on the ideas introduced first time around; in particular, the nature and history of the disease, only touched on in the original, are explored much more fully here to chilling effect.
An explosion of information removes much of the raw terror from the premise.
There are fewer frightening moments [than the original], but the ones that do come are all the more frightening from the build-up of tension.
REC 2 is adequately claustrophobic and frightening and freaky, but the formula wears thin after a while-especially once they defang the first movie's mystery by explaining it. But if you're a sucker for utter panic, it'll do.
Where the first [REC] was a jump-and-scare flick that put you in the victim's point of view, [REC]2 takes things a little further.
Not as fresh or frightfully exciting as the first film, but certainly scary, occasionally inventive and almost always enjoyable.
The film gets a lot of mileage from its concept of seeing things only through the soldiers' helmet-mounted cameras, but the plot also develops in some surprising directions.
Not only far from being as terrifying as the original film, this sequel also makes the mistake of offering an explanation for the story, combining zombies, viruses and demons all in the same crazy pot. But even so, there are a few moments that work.
Super Reviewer
[Rec] 2 is awesome! It picks up literally right after [Rec] left off. The focus is on a SWAT team going into the apartment to help an official get what he needs to end the quarantine, as well as rescue any survivors. The original [Rec] left us with the notion that the virus was started because of occult practices. In [Rec] 2, that idea is played on in great detail. The action feels bigger as well. Instead of one camera, each SWAT member is equipped with a camera on their helmet, and the action cuts in between them. This is a brilliant decision, because it allows the film to feel bigger while keeping the concept the same. Loose ends from the first are tied up as well. We find out what happened to the journalist from the first film, and we get to see the origin of Medeiros' powers. [Rec] 2 is the sequel that does justice to [Rec] while taking the series in a whole new direction. No small feat, since I consider [Rec] to be one of the best horror films ever made! [Rec] 2 is filled with suspense, and some of the scariest scenes I've seen in a long time.
I hated the direction this movie went. In REC it was supposed to be an infection right? Like rabies? Then they go in a completely different direction off course and start with something about a demonic possession. I didn't like it at all. It wasn't even that scary and it had too many plot holes to take seriously. It was nothing like the original REC and I thought it was really stupid. Especially the whole thing with the priest and the little girl who was allegedly possessed. Really stupid plot. I thought they were going to tie up loose ends from the first film, but instead they created a bigger mess for the audience to figure out. REC didn't even need a sequel anyway.
Man. During the 30 minutes I thought this was going to be one of those rare occasions in which the sequel is better than the original. The scares were much more wisely paced & it looked as though they were beginning to make an interesting comment on the messy intersection of science & religion. Yet, as it began to get closer to the second act, the film descended into one preposterous scenario after the next. One particular scene involving a firework is so stupid that I am surprised it survived the final cut. While I appreciate that they tried to tie in the various narratives, they ended up sucking any ounce of realism out of the film. And when you have no realism, the "found footage" gimmick ceases to be scary. It looks as though my journey with this franchise ends here. Which is sad, because it had a lot of potential.
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