Rec 2
{{Short description|2009 Spanish horror film}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Rec 2
| image = REC2-teaser-poster.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Jaume Balagueró
Paco Plaza
| producer = Julio Fernández
Carlos Fernández
| writer = Jaume Balagueró
Paco Plaza
Manu Díez
| based_on = Characters by
Jaume Balaguero
Paco Plaza
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Manuela Velasco
- Jonathan Mellor
- Oscar Sánchez Zafra
- Ariel Casas
- Alejandro Casaseca
- Pablo Rosso
- Claudia Silva }}
| cinematography = Pablo Rosso
| studio = Filmax
Castelao Productions
| distributor = Filmax
| released = {{Film date|2009|10|2|df=y}}
| runtime = 85 minutes
| country = Spain
| language = Spanish
}}
Rec 2 (stylized as [•REC]²) is a 2009 Spanish found footage zombie film sequel to 2007's Rec and the second installment of the Rec film series. The film was written and directed by Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza, both of whom returned from the previous film. The story takes place immediately after the events of the first film{{cite web|title=Update: Behind-the-Scenes of Rec 2|work=ComingSoon|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/horror/pb_article_type/712539-update-behind-the-scenes-of-rec-2|date=8 February 2009|access-date=31 December 2021|archive-date=31 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231190717/https://www.comingsoon.net/horror/pb_article_type/712539-update-behind-the-scenes-of-rec-2|url-status=dead}} and follows a team of soldiers assigned to protect a scientist supposedly sent to investigate the cause of the outbreak, but who may already know more about it than he claims.
Several actors from the first film reprise their roles, mostly briefly appearing as infected versions of their characters. The film was followed by Rec 3: Genesis, the events of which take place contemporaneously with Rec and Rec 2, and later by Rec 4: Apocalypse, a direct sequel.
Plot
Dr. Owen (Jonathan Mellor), an official from the Ministry of Health, and a heavily armed GEO team of four (Fernandez, Martos, Rosso and Larra) equipped with video cameras and body cams are sent into a quarantined apartment building to find out what happened to its inhabitants, who have been rendered infectious and violent by a contagious virus.{{Efn|As depicted in Rec. (2007)}} They ascend to the attic and find it unoccupied. They return to a lower level to investigate a disturbance and are attacked by infected residents.
Martos is infected; Owen uses religious mantra and a rosary to hold him off in a room. He reveals that he is actually a priest sent by the Vatican to get a blood sample from a possessed girl named Tristana Medeiros, the root of the infection. The GEO operators search the apartment where Medeiros was held and find the body of Father Albelda, the original priest charged with the case of Medeiros's possession. They find a sample of Medeiros's blood taken by Albelda, but lose it. Owen tells them that the only way to accomplish the mission now is to get a blood sample from Tristana herself. They are attacked by a group of infected, and Larra, cornered, commits suicide.
The father of an infected little girl, Jennifer, persuades a firefighter to help him enter the building through the sewers. They are unknowingly followed by three teenagers, Tito, Mire and Ori, and the police seal their exit. Jennifer's father is infected and killed by the GEO team, while the firefighter is killed accidentally by Mire, who kills Martos too. After Tito is infected, the crew locks Mire and Ori in a room and encounter reporter Ángela Vidal (Manuela Velasco), shocked but safe. The group questions the possessed Tito and deduce from his cryptic answers that Medeiros is in the penthouse and certain areas are only accessible in total darkness and infrared light.
The group finds a hidden door using the night vision on Ángela's camera. They are attacked by Medeiros, who kills Fernandez and attacks Owen before Ángela blows her head off with a shotgun. Owen is enraged because he needed the blood sample and refuses to authorize their exit. Angered, Ángela attacks him and kills Rosso when he attempts an intervention. It is revealed that the demon possessing Tristana has now possessed Ángela.
Ángela kills Owen and imitates his voice to contact the authorities. She tells them that the mission has been accomplished, that Owen must stay inside due to being infected, and that the only survivor allowed to leave is Ángela. A flashback reveals what happened right before the film's beginning: Ángela was captured by Medeiros and had a vermiform organism orally transmitted into her. As the response team arrived, she went into hiding.
Cast
{{Cast listing|
- Manuela Velasco as Ángela Vidal
- Jonathan Mellor as Dr. Owen
- Javier Botet as Tristana Medeiros
- Oscar Sánchez Zafra as Chief Fernández
- Ariel Casas as Larra
- Alejandro Casaseca as Martos
- Pablo Rosso as Rosso
- Claudia Silva as Jennifer
- Pau Poch as Tito
- Andrea Ros as Mire
- Àlex Batllori as Ori
- Juli Fàbregas as Fireman Jose
- Pep Molina as Jennifer's Father
}}
Production
Following the success of Rec, Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza signed on for a sequel.[https://www.fangoria.com/original/review-rec-2/ Review: [REC] 2] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923042154/http://www.fangoria.com/reviews/2-film/3952-rec-2-film-review.html |date=23 September 2009 }} Retrieved 31 December 021 Principal photography began on 10 November 2008 and wrapped in December 2008.{{cite web|title=Rec 2 Teaser Trailer Online|work=ComingSoon|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/horror/pb_article_type/712084-rec-2-teaser-trailer-online|date=5 January 2009|access-date=31 December 2021|archive-date=31 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231190716/https://www.comingsoon.net/horror/pb_article_type/712084-rec-2-teaser-trailer-online|url-status=dead}} The film reunites the directors with many of the original cast and crew members of the previous film.[http://www.fangoria.com/features/21-fearful-features/4025-talking-rec-2-with-jaume-balaguero-and-paco-plaza.html Talking [REC] 2 with Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928114702/http://fangoria.com/features/21-fearful-features/4025-talking-rec-2-with-jaume-balaguero-and-paco-plaza.html |date=28 September 2009 }} It was shot in Barcelona over six weeks.{{cite web|title='Rec 2' Began Shooting Today|work=ESplatter.com|url=http://www.esplatter.com/news.php?id=1012|date=10 November 2008|access-date=17 December 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221033255/http://www.esplatter.com/news.php?id=1012|archive-date=21 December 2008}}
Release
The film premiered at the 66th Venice International Film Festival, out of competition.{{cite web |url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/18276 |title=A Trio of Italian One Sheets for REC 2 |date=3 December 2009 |publisher=Bloody-disgusting.com |access-date=6 January 2012 |archive-date=29 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329225800/http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/18276 |url-status=live }} It was also shown at the Midnight Madness portion of the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival, as well as the 2009 Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas,{{cite web|title=REC 2 Photos Reveal New Characters|work=ComingSoon|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/horror/pb_article_type/714518-rec-2-photos-reveal-new-characters|date=17 August 2009|access-date=31 December 2021|archive-date=31 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231190718/https://www.comingsoon.net/horror/pb_article_type/714518-rec-2-photos-reveal-new-characters|url-status=dead}} and the 2009 Sitges Film Festival. It went on general release in Spain the first weekend of October, going to No. 1 in the Spanish box office and achieving the best opening weekend of the year for a Spanish film.[http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/534955/0/rec2/taquilla/estreno/ REC 2, el estreno español más taquillero] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202100325/https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/534955/0/rec2/taquilla/estreno/ |date=2 December 2019 }} {{in lang|es}}
Rec 2 was released in New Zealand theaters by Vendetta Films on 13 November 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.vendettafilms.co.nz/ |title=Vendetta Films |publisher=Vendetta Films |date=4 April 2011 |access-date=6 January 2012 |archive-date=30 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830220832/https://vendettafilms.co.nz/ |url-status=live }} The marketing budget for the film, NZ$7500, was used to create a website,{{cite web |url=http://www.rec2.co.nz/ |title=The Rec2 $5K Buzz Challenge |publisher=Rec2.co.nz |access-date=6 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008102857/http://www.rec2.co.nz/ |archive-date=8 October 2009}} where the remaining $5000 marketing budget would be given away to the member of the public who was judged responsible for the most good publicity generated for the release of the film.{{cite web |url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/19612 |title=Magnet Releasing Officially Announces Acquisition of REC 2 |date=26 March 2010 |publisher=Bloody-disgusting.com |access-date=6 January 2012 |archive-date=30 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830220906/https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/19612/ |url-status=live }} Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release the film on DVD in October 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/18300 |title=Jaume Balaguero and Paco Plaza to Return for REC 3! |publisher=Bloody-disgusting.com |date=7 December 2009 |access-date=6 January 2012 |archive-date=30 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830220841/https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/18300/ |url-status=live }} In March 2010 Magnolia Pictures acquired the rights for the US market{{cite web |url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/19556 |title=Magnolia Taking 'Rec 2' Into Theaters This July?! |date=22 March 2010 |publisher=Bloody-disgusting.com |access-date=6 January 2012 |archive-date=5 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005061233/http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/19556/ |url-status=live }} and will screen the film in a theatrical release in July 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36542/rec-2-goes-theatrical-july |title=Rec 2 Goes Theatrical in July? |date=26 March 2010 |publisher=Dreadcentral.com |access-date=6 January 2012 |archive-date=30 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830220840/https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/16479/magnet-makes-july-rec-2-theatrical-run-official/ |url-status=live }} The distributor Magnolia pictures will screen the film on Video on Demand platforms on 4 June 2010{{cite web |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36629/magnet-makes-july-rec-2-theatrical-run-official |title=Magnet Makes July REC 2 Theatrical Run OFFICIAL! |date=26 March 2010 |publisher=Dreadcentral.com |access-date=6 January 2012 |archive-date=11 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011125605/http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36629/magnet-makes-july-rec-2-theatrical-run-official |url-status=live }} and released the film only on DVD.{{cite web |url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20212 |title=Official U.S. One Sheet for Spanish-language REC 2 |date=14 May 2010 |publisher=Bloody-disgusting.com |access-date=6 January 2012 |archive-date=6 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006083847/http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/20212/ |url-status=live }} Magnolia has the film set with a release on 9 July 2010{{cite web |last=Creepy |first=Uncle |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36684/new-uk-rec-2-trailer-home-new-footage |title=New UK Rec 2 Trailer Home to New Footage |publisher=Dreadcentral.com |date=30 March 2010 |access-date=6 January 2012 |archive-date=30 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830221453/https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/16534/new-uk-rec-2-trailer-home-to-new-footage/ |url-status=live }} and released on 30 March 2010 the UK trailer.{{cite web |url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/19639 |title=New Footage from Spanish 'Rec 2' in UK Trailer! |publisher=Bloody-disgusting.com |date=30 March 2010 |access-date=6 January 2012 |archive-date=30 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830221344/https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/19639/ |url-status=live }}
The film was released on 28 May 2010 in the UK. It is part of the Terror in the Aisles 4 at the Portage Theater in Chicago, Illinois.{{cite web |last=Slasher |first=Masked |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/37595/get-ready-terror-aisles-4-undead-by-dawn-this-friday-chicago |title=Get Ready for Terror in the Aisles 4: Undead By Dawn This Friday in Chicago! |publisher=Dreadcentral.com |date=18 May 2010 |access-date=6 January 2012 |archive-date=30 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830221431/https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/297814/dread-presents-get-ready-for-forest-terror-by-pre-ordering-hoax-today/ |url-status=live }}
Reception
Rec 2 received generally positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a "fresh" 68% rating based on 72 reviews, with an average rating of 6.21/10. The site's consensus states: "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".{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rec_2 |title=[REC] 2 (2010) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |publisher=Fandango |access-date=6 November 2019 |archive-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202093038/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rec_2 |url-status=live }}
Reviewing the film in The New York Times, Jeannette Catsoulis praised the sound design and the directing, but criticised the sequel's lack of terror found in the original film, and its anti-Catholic sentiment and repetitive staging.{{Cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/09/movies/09rec.html|title = Tough Time for Zombie Bait|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 9 July 2010|last1 = Catsoulis|first1 = Jeannette|access-date = 25 December 2020|archive-date = 30 August 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230830221343/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/09/movies/09rec.html|url-status = live}}
Little White Lies gave the film 4/5 and called it "The greatest zombie sequel since Dawn of the Dead".{{cite web |url=http://www.littlewhitelies.co.uk/theatrical-reviews/rec-2-10686 |title=[REC] 2 Review |year=2009 |access-date=4 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019060216/http://www.littlewhitelies.co.uk/theatrical-reviews/rec-2-10686 |archive-date=19 October 2013}} Empire also awarded the film 4 stars, saying: "Here’s a horror juddering with such in-your-face malevolent energy, it’s like being caught in a first-person shooter possessed by the devil".{{cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/rec-2-review/|title=[•REC] 2|date=24 May 2010|access-date=31 December 2021|first=Simon|last=Crook|archive-date=31 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231192225/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/rec-2-review/|url-status=live}}
However, the Daily Mirror awarded the film 2 stars, and reviewer David Edwards stated it was "a bit of a W[rec]k."{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/going-out/film/film-review-rec-2-792945 |title=Film review: [REC] 2 |date=28 May 2010 |first=David |last=Edwards |newspaper=Daily Mirror |access-date=3 January 2015 |archive-date=30 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830221345/https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/going-out/film/film-review-rec-2-792945 |url-status=live }}
Sequels
{{Main|Rec 3: Genesis|Rec 4: Apocalypse}}
On 3 May 2010, Bloody Disgusting announced that "...Filmax will produce two new [REC] films in the next couple of years called [REC] 3: Genesis and [REC] 4 with the same directors as the first two films."{{cite web |url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20053 |title='Rec' Directors Return for Not One, But TWO Sequels!!! |date=3 May 2010 |publisher=Bloody-disgusting.com |access-date=6 January 2012 |archive-date=12 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112223759/https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/20053/ |url-status=live }} Genesis was released on 30 March 2012, and centers on an outbreak in a distant location from the original apartment building, also having prequel elements.{{cite web |url=http://www.europapress.es/cultura/noticia-rec3-genesis-estrenara-30-marzo-2012-20110905170656.html |title=[REC]3 Génesis se estrenará el 30 de marzo de 2012 |publisher=Europapress.es |date=5 September 2011 |access-date=6 January 2012 |archive-date=30 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830221348/https://www.europapress.es/cultura/noticia-rec3-genesis-estrenara-30-marzo-2012-20110905170656.html |url-status=live }}[http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/43242/one-sheet-debut-rec-genesis UPDATE: One-Sheet Debut: [REC
See also
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Wikiquote}}
- {{IMDb title|1245112}}
- {{rotten-tomatoes|rec_2}}
- {{Metacritic film}}
{{REC & Quarantine}}
{{Jaume Balagueró}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rec 2}}
Category:2009 independent films
Category:Films about infectious diseases
Category:Films directed by Jaume Balagueró
Category:Films directed by Paco Plaza
Category:Films set in apartment buildings
Category:Films set in Barcelona
Category:Films shot in Barcelona
Category:Films with screenplays by Jaume Balagueró
Category:Spanish religious horror films
Category:2000s supernatural horror films
Category:Spanish independent films
Category:2000s Spanish-language films
Category:Spanish supernatural horror films