Film & TV

Blu-ray/DVD Review: [REC] 4: Apocalypse

Taken from her blood-soaked apartment, Ángela Vidal, wakes up on a massive ocean freighter adrift at sea and finds that her nightmare is far from over.

[REC] 4: Apocalypse is certainly not for the faint-hearted. No expense has been spared providing plenty of gore. Having said that, it is not your average blood-and-gore film. It is a genuine horror/thriller film with a story line that keeps you guessing till the last moment.

Taken from her blood-soaked apartment building that has been quarantined due to a demonic outbreak, a young, scared reporter, Ángela Vidal, wakes up on a massive ocean freighter adrift at sea.

She finds that her nightmare is far from over in the final chapter of this popular Spanish horror series.

Rec4DVDAt first it seems that a terrible plague has been contained and Angela has been cleared of all infection. Soon however, it is revealed that the scientists aboard this ship have been secretly experimenting with humans and animals, and now no one is safe. Once again, the infection is spreading and everyone is suspected of being a carrier.

Infected crew are destroyed brutally, especially in one memorable scene using a motor boat propeller.

Tension builds and the ship seems doomed. With nowhere to run, Ángela heroically prepares to take her last stand.

It is hard to single out any one actor as this is an ensemble film with many fine performances. However, the cast is led by Manuela Velasco, Paco Manzanedo and Hector Colome. The film is driven on at a relentless pace by director Jaume Balaguero.

The colour palette of the film is refreshingly different from other horror/thriller films. There is the usual blue/black scenes but they are interspersed with stark bright scenes to provide a contrast between the horrific and scientific elements.

The musical score written by Arnau Bataller helps build the tension as the films speeds ferociously to a surprising conclusion. At 95 minutes it is a wild ride that had me gasping at times.

Reviewed by Barry Hill
Twitter: @kinesguy

Rating out of 10:  10

[REC 4]: Apocalypse will be released on Blu-Ray, DVD and Video on Demand on 20 January 2016.

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