[REC] 4: Apocalypse Review

Coming into this sequel as a huge fan of the first two films, I was especially looking forward to Apocalypse after learning that the protagonist of the series (Angela) would make a return. After the lingering taste of disappointment that was the release of [REC] 3: Genesis due to its approach of drastically changing the direction, tone, and filmmaking style of the franchise), I was also simultaneously nervous for this fourth installment. The complete shift towards a more action and over the top aesthetic in comparison to what was a beautifully crafted found footage horror mystery prior was a jarring readjustment for fans to take on. It certainly was for me.

Well, now that I've grown to accept this new style (despite my opposing preference), I was hoping that this sequel could have at least return to [REC]'s horror roots ending things on a high note. Most horror franchises that have went beyond the confines of a trilogy has had a few slip ups here and there. With that in mind, I can easily look pass Genesis as being this weird, experimental entry that can easily stand on its own in the background while parts 1, 2, and 4 shines through as the real high quality priority watches. But, is that the case here? Let's take a look at how this new and possibly final entry attempts to hopefully tie everything up with an impactful and fulfilling pay off following  its predecessors.

Thankfully, Jaume Balagueró (writer and directer of the first two films) decided to return to the story that fans have been dying to see being the fascinating and equally creepy present day "viral outbreak". One of the bigger positive highlights of this movie can be seen in a great opening scene that perfectly continues where [REC] 2 left off. We start the movie by following a squad of officers setting explosive charges in the quarantined apartment building before eventually discovering and rescuing Angela. Everything from the atmospherically eerie central staircase with surrounding blood stains, external light sources coming in and out from hovering choppers, and occasional infected people popping up from different rooms masterfully captured the look and feel of the first two movies. 

It's actually pretty impressive considering that the whole scene isn't presented in the series' tried and true found footage format. What allows for that sense of tension and first person POV engagement to still remain can be credited to some clever cinematography choices keeping the audience immersed in this police squad's mission tasks. Honestly, if you'd told me that his scene was taken out of [REC] 2 as a deleted alternate ending and re-inserted here as a means to start the sequel off with a bang, I'd completely believe you. And guys, it absolutely works. Unfortunately, despite having such a promising beginning, what follows is our introduction to the new setting and situation (a quarantined fishing boat in the middle of the ocean) which is where [REC] 4's underwhelming presence starts to slowly creep in.

We're introduced to new characters including Guzman (the officer that initially rescued Angela), Lucas (his partner), Ricarte (the man in charge of the entire operation) and other side characters along the way. And with this new cast comes another major issue, alongside the already dull setting, that rears its ugly head in. One can argue that connecting with our characters has been sort of a vital part of the series to a degree as viewers followed along certain people through the immersive POV format hoping that they survived the various frightening encounters. Unfortunately, aside from Angela, I never felt any emotional connection to any of the characters here as I saw them to be more as fodder for the infected or tools for exposition.

Not caring about what happens to your group of survivors in a horror movie can sometimes have a major impact on the spectacle or creep factor taking place. At that point, it becomes more about the visuals on the surface while the personal investment component suffers as a result. With [REC] 4, the lack of interesting or likable characters adds more fire to the overall underwhelming presence that's practically glaring at times. Yes, inserting that one elderly lady from [REC]3's wedding massacre as a sole survivor was actually kinda surprising to see. But because of that film's negative reputation on my end, she was automatically listed as "likely victim #4". Wasted potential will be a recurring theme in this review and potentially interesting characters are definitely part of this issue.

Alright, now let's talk about the quality of writing here which, for me, made the 3rd movie (which is said to be the worst) actually more enjoyable as far as the premise goes. The potential that was perfectly laid out from the ending of [REC] 2 built up a great deal of anticipation for an apocalyptic demonic-centered viral outbreak story. The title of the movie certainly supports that thought process at any rate. There were so many interesting and exciting ways that they could have presented this "evil presence" essentially spreading through the city on a nightmare fueled catastrophic level as our leads try to navigate the chaotic and heart racing trek of the unknown. 

Instead, we're given a comparatively substantially scaled down version taking place on a boat in the middle of who knows where. Now before anyone starts tossing in labels like "budget constraints" and "unfair expectations", there were creative opportunities within a smaller budget that could've conveyed an escalating supernatural pandemic. With the use of brilliant sound design and cinematography, you could've kept things close with our characters as horrors began to gradually manifest in the surrounding buildings and streets. Instead, Apocalypse follows the apartment outbreak with the entity getting out, to then immediately transport us to a generic looking boat set which was as jarring as it was cinematically lacking

This feeling carries over to the actual scares of the movie with scenes coming across as being visually unappealing considering what we've seen from the first two titles. There's even a moment where they echo the over the top action and gore trope from Genesis by giving the main characters a boat propeller as a weapon against the infected. Although, this was admittedly somewhat entertaining in a vacuum, it feel a bit tonally out of place assuming that they wanted to take the franchise a little more seriously again. Perhaps I was wrong to think that the guy who made the only good movies in the series would want to make something that strongly honors the original knowing that it made such a highly celebrated and positive impact to the horror genre. 

For example, in the first movie, the mystery behind this outbreak was treated as a perplexing tragic incident slowly unfolding in front of our eyes with various ideas being gradually introduced. It was the core of the suspenseful element of that film successfully exploiting the audience's ignorance to the threat as it surprised and ambushed our leads. The immediate sequel then took this mystery and expanded upon it with a creepy supernatural-horror layer giving a creative new angle to the outbreak without fully disclosing every single detail. What this final installment attempts to do is fill in the blanks by answering everything from a scientific and medical outlook without, and here comes that running theme of the review again, living up to the potential of this perspective.

Now, one can argue that this is simply the way that they decided to approach this particular chapter in the story story by having these scientists be our new source of context. However, having these individuals could have been made for an interesting clash of point of views by also bringing another member of the Vatican's secret mission that was set up in the 2nd film. Two different groups (science and religion) having different ideals and data leading to the chilling revelation that humanity simply isn't able to properly categorize this thing. Two representatives of ideals coming together to exterminate a being that they don't fully comprehend the scope of would've made for an exceptional piece of cosmic horror. But like I said "wasted potential" is a recurring theme here.

A moment of silence for the amazing mystery component introduced in the first two movies

Jumping right to the end of the movie, we get to see the true form of this entity in all of its glory floating in the ocean, and guys, this was the final nail on the coffin for me. I simply could not imagine a more disappointing fashion to visualize the source of all the terror shown in prior titles. It's almost as if everyone in the production was willfully trying to step on fan expectations by doing the most minimalistic and generic thing possible. I already hated the idea of them fully showing the creature itself destroying the "fear of the unknown" hook factor. However, what made it so much worst is that they decided to add insult to injury by literally having a fish swim by and eat the parasite. This one final jab was what officially destroyed this franchise for me. Knowing that all of it leads to...well that.

Seriously, what does that scene even mean for the future? Is the parasite dead? Is the fish now possessed and is hell bent on creating an army of demonic parasitic fish mutants? Does this movie actually secretly connect to 2012's found footage horror movie "The Bay" where residents of a seaside community become infected by parasites in the water? Actually, you know what? Admittedly, that 3rd idea isn't half bad considering what we have to work with here (being slightly sarcastic there). This truly is arguably one of the worst endings to a franchise that I have ever laid my eyes on which is saying a lot considering how many I've seen at this point. Oh, and don't get me started on that cheesy mid credits scene.

Now, with all of that ranting out of the way, let's get to the actual redeeming moments of [REC] 4 aside from just the opening, shall we? There is a scene where Angela gets thrown down to the lower part of the ship, and with the cinematic aesthetic choices integrated, it did feel as though I was watching something right out of the first movie. Watching her struggle to navigate through the dark spaces with the surrounding scenery comprising of cages and rabid animals was one of the rare moments where my quality expectations were actually being met. From that moment on is when the film started to really kick things into high gear with its action elements giving us something that's, at the very least, thrilling to enjoy.

This includes a pretty solid escape scene where our final two survivors attempt to leave the ship via lifeboat while running for dare life from an infected horde. The surrounding pouring rain alongside the visuals of infected crew leaping off of staircases chasing behind was legitimately engaging to watch and reminded me of some of my favorite scenes from virus outbreak titles. Also, every time a character is looking at footage of Angela from the first film, I actually felt as though I knew something narratively substantial that the characters onscreen didn't which was a nice little piece of audience immersion there. It's the one moment where the "found footage" aspect actually plays into Apocalypse in a semi-effective manner by utilizing it for the storytelling.

Overall, [REC] 4, as a conclusion to the series, does a very poor job in its execution of wrapping things up and giving us a climactic payoff worthy of the first two movies. If one were to instead see this as a stand-alone genre title, I will say that there are a few redeeming qualities sprinkled throughout, but nothing particularly noteworthy to recommend anyone to rush out and see it. The setting and characters are dull, the action and horror elements are mostly mediocre at best, the performances are forgettable (with Manuela Velasco frequently being a bit too extreme for my taste), and the story direction constantly steps over its potential. At the end of the day, this entire movie can simply be summed up as one giant missed opportunity that should definitely be skipped if one were to enter into this series fresh. 

Rating: 5/10