Tag Archives: zombies

Video Game Review: The Walking Dead [Xbox 360]

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The Walking Dead: The Game

The Walking Dead
System: Xbox 360 (also on PS3, PC, Mac OS X, iOS)
Genre: Point-and-click adventure
Publisher: Telltale Games
Developer: Telltale Games
Release Date: Throughout 2012

The last time I cried was at my father’s funeral five years ago.

There have been times since then where I would get choked up, particularly after some painstakingly depressing films (i.e. Grave of the Fireflies), but nothing has made the tears really start flowing. I don’t like crying, and I have a tendency to fight it even when it feels like a natural reaction. After completing The Walking Dead, once again I found myself holding back tears, albeit less successfully this time. No video game has ever come close to evoking this type of emotion in me.

It’s funny, I shouldn’t even like The Walking Dead. I tried watching the AMC TV show of the same name, and found it embarrassingly amateur. I gave up after the first season. I’m also burnt out on the whole “zombie” fad, as it reached the point of over-saturation long ago. Yet I found myself drawn to Telltale’s episodic video game series. It grabbed a hold of me and refused to let go.

The Walking Dead [Xbox 360]

My initial plan was to review each of The Walking Dead‘s five episodes individually — I wrote about numbers one and two last year — but it began to grow tedious. How could I possibly write about each episode without using spoilers? There are groundbreaking revelations within each episode, with characters coming and going at a breakneck pace.

At its core, however, two characters remain constant: Lee and Clementine.

Lee is the player-controlled protagonist who essentially “adopts” Clementine, the eight-year-old he finds alone in a treehouse during the first episode. With her parents missing, Lee becomes something of a father figure to the young girl (later episodes even give the option of introducing her as his daughter). The relationship between these two grows with every moment, and I found myself doing everything I could to protect her.

Every episode forces Lee to make crucial decisions, most of which offer two choices that essentially equate to “bad” and “worse.” After my playing sessions, I found myself questioning some of my choices. Should I have saved a different character’s life? Should I have really stolen food from that car? I tried to do everything in the interest of Clementine — in a world that has gone to hell, the only important thing was to help this little girl survive.

The Walking Dead [Xbox 360]

In reality, that’s what The Walking Dead is about: survival. It’s near impossible to trust anyone else because that is ultimately their goal as well. Everyone is looking out for their own interests, as well as their families. Relationships are often forged but remain shaky as tensions flare up.

I was emotionally drained by the end of the game. This series really puts you through the ringer, never letting up at all. It’s fantastic storytelling, and it’s unlike any other found in a video game so far. The writing is excellent, the voice acting top notch, and the characters unforgettable.

I had never felt the way I did upon completing The Walking Dead. I wasn’t sure that video games as a medium could evoke that type of reaction out of me — hell, very few movies have, and I have seen a lot of ‘em. For this alone, The Walking Dead is one of the most important games to come out in 2012, and I have absolutely no reservations about calling this the Game of the Year.

10/10

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Horror Movie Roundup: The Toxic Avenger [1984], The Woman [2011], Fido [2006]

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In an attempt to get into the Halloween spirit, I have been watching more horror films than usual. Here are mini-reviews for three of them:

The Toxic Avenger [1984]
The Toxic Avenger [1984]
My first Troma film left me entertained but also somewhat underwhelmed. A spoof of heroic monster stories, The Toxic Avenger is loaded with cheesy B-movie horror staples: terrible acting, low-brow humor, over-the-top gore and — perhaps most crucial — naked breasts with blinding tanlines. There’s good fun to be had, but the film kind of runs its course at the halfway mark. As a result, this doesn’t quite live up to its reputation, but it’s still worth seeing for camp horror enthusiasts. 6/10

The Woman [2011]
The Woman [2011]
Equal parts dark and disturbing, The Woman tells the tale of a feral woman who is captured and held captive by a rural lawyer, in hopes of domesticating her. The man, played to slimy perfection by Sean Bridgers, introduces the woman to his family, and keeps her chained to a wall in their shed. There’s more to it than that, though; something seems off with the entire family, and we are left guessing as to what the hell is going on with everyone involved. It takes a little while to get going, but the film’s payoff is an unforgettable bloody spectacle. This isn’t for everyone, thanks to some pretty brutal moments in the final act, but I was pleasantly surprised with The Woman. 7/10

Fido [2006]
Fido [2006]
Passing this off as ‘just another zombie movie’ would be a big mistake. Fido is a dark comedy that essentially spoofs on the classic Lassie TV show by using zombies as household pets. Set in an alternate 1950s universe, not long after the Great Zombie War, zombies have now been trained to perform simple household tasks — as long as their collar remains charged properly. The concept is rife with potential, and Fido sometimes realizes this with some truly hilarious moments. Unfortunately, somehow the film feels a little dull overall, never quite kicking into the next gear. Loved seeing Carrie-Anne Moss as the zombie-loving housewife, though. 6/10

While none of these films were flat-out great, I did enjoy all of them, and I am in the mood for more horror. I have a simple question for you guys:

What horror films would you recommend I check out this month? I’m open to all ideas, but I’m most interested in those that may have been overlooked over the years, and preferably ones available on Netflix Instant.

Video Game Review: The Walking Dead, Episode 2: Starved for Help [PS3]

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The Walking Dead, Episode 1: A New Day [PS3]

The Walking Dead, Episode 2: Starved for Help
System: Playstation 3 (also on Xbox 360, PC, Mac and iOS)
Genre: Adventure/Horror
Publisher: Telltale Games
Developer: Telltale Games
Price: $4.99 ($19.99 for PS3 season pass)
Release Date: June 29, 2012

I didn’t think it would happen so quickly, but I am becoming pretty damn attached to the characters in The Walking Dead episodic games. At just two hours in length per episode, the story continues to surprise with plenty of character development and gut-wrenching twists and turns. Whereas A New Day set the table for things to come, Starved for Help shows just how bleak the ongoing zombie outbreak really is.

Set three months after the first episode’s events, Lee, Clementine and the rest now find themselves running dangerously low on food and supplies. Just as they reach the end of their stash, a couple of guys show up at the motel looking to exchange food for gasoline. They claim to have a safe haven: they own a huge dairy farm that is protected by an electrified fence. They even have a cow to provide them with milk. Could this be the group’s big break?

I won’t get into plot specifics, but Telltale did an excellent job at dropping hints about what’s to come while also building the suspense. I wasn’t sure what to expect as the episode played out, but the payoff was fantastic.

The Walking Dead, Episode 2: Starved for Help [PS3]

As per the first episode, Lee is presented with six “Tough Decisions” that are crucial to the story development. The first one happens right away, and this gruesome encounter sets the tone for the rest of the game. By the end, I was ashamed of my final two choices, and I was tempted to go back through and try a different way. But alas, this is my Walking Dead experience, and I am going to see it through with my original decisions in tact.

It really says something when a game can make you feel such moments of despair and regret based on a single decision. This story continues to grow darker and darker, and I am excited to see where it goes from here. Per usual, the episode ends with a cliffhanger, as well as a preview of what’s next.

The Walking Dead, Episode 2: Starved for Help [PS3]

The point-and-click gameplay is the same as before, and it works well in the context of this episode. There are occasionally some slight hiccups when the framerate stutters a bit, but these do not hinder the experience.

Naturally, this is a must play if you have completed A New Day. This episode is even better than the last, and it has seriously raised my expectations for the rest of the series. Decisions seem even more critical now, and the story is moving along at a nice clip. If you haven’t experienced The Walking Dead yet, now is the time.

9/10

Video Game Review: The Walking Dead, Episode 1: A New Day [PS3]

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The Walking Dead, Episode 1: A New Day [PS3]

The Walking Dead, Episode 1: A New Day
System: Playstation 3 (also on Xbox 360, PC, Mac and iOS)
Genre: Adventure/Horror
Publisher: Telltale Games
Developer: Telltale Games
Price: $4.99 ($19.99 for PS3 season pass)
Release Date: April 24, 2012

Looking to capitalize on the success of the wildly popular Walking Dead TV show and comics, Telltale Games have started their own episodic take on the series. Known for their point-and-click adventures (Back to the Future, Jurassic Park), Telltale already have two seasons planned for The Walking Dead. The first is currently going on right now, with two episodes already released. The second season will likely arrive sometime next year. At just $5 per episode, it’s hard to resist digging in, even for non-fans of the show (like myself). Even better, the first two episodes are now available for free for Playstation Plus members.

A New Day begins with the protagonist, college professor Lee Everett, handcuffed in the back of a police cruiser. The driver, an old, grizzled police officer, makes small talk with Lee, and bits of his past are slowly revealed. Clearly, he was arrested for a serious crime, but it’s unclear as to exactly what it was. Before they can reach their destination, a figure suddenly appears in the middle of the road, causing the car to lose control and violently crash off to the side. After maneuvering out of the handcuffs and noticing more grotesque figures (later learned to be zombies) heading in his direction, Lee escapes and stumbles into an abandoned house.

The Walking Dead, Episode 1: A New Day [PS3]

It is here that Lee meets Clementine, a first grader who has been hiding in her tree house, patiently waiting for her parents to come home. The two of them decide to leave together in an attempt to find safety in this suddenly apocalyptic world.

For those unfamiliar with the adventure genre, The Walking Dead’s gameplay will be a bit of a surprise. This is a game that doesn’t rely on rapid action or non-stop zombie killing. Instead, the main focus is on story progression, character choices and occasional QTE (quick time event) sequences. Lee is controlled with the left analog stick, and the right analog stick is used to select objects. When chosen, Lee can make observations, chat with others or use two items together. The control system is as easy as it gets, and even non-gamers should be able to dive right in and feel at home.

The Walking Dead, Episode 1: A New Day [PS3]

As mentioned, choices are of the utmost importance in the game, and your personal actions will modify the events found in the rest of the series. In A New Day, there are five moments that the game labels “Tough Decisions”. These are critical sequences in which Lee has to choose between two actions. One such example involves two characters being attacked by zombies. You only have time to save one of them, and it has to be quick — who do you choose? There are also decisions to make during standard dialogue exchanges, and characters will remember your replies for future reference. While the impact of these decisions is minimal in the first episode, it’s going to be a hell of a lot of fun to see how these play out over the entire season.

Telltale included a nice treat at the end of the game that shows how your choices compared to others. Interestingly enough, I sided with the majority in all of my “tough decisions” except for one.

The Walking Dead, Episode 1: A New Day [PS3]

Aesthetically, The Walking Dead looks and sounds like a low budget title, but it actually works for the concept. The cartoonish art style fits the theme, and it doesn’t hold back with plenty of gore in some especially gruesome moments. Some animations can cause the framerate to sputter a bit, but they never messed up the gameplay. The voice acting is hit-and-miss; sometimes it can be convincing, yet other times it is laughably bad. On the whole, though, the voice acting is competent enough.

A New Day is an exciting beginning to The Walking Dead series, and for $5 you’ll get about two hours of good, solid gameplay. The real fun lies in making choices, as these ultimately will matter a great deal in future installments. In the heat of the moment, what would you do? Who would you save?

8/10

Video Game DLC Review: Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare [Xbox 360, 2010]

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Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare [Xbox 360, 2010]

Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare
System: Xbox 360 (also on PS3)
Genre: Third-person shooter
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: Rockstar San Diego
Release Date: November 22, 2010

Whoever came up with the idea for Undead Nightmare deserves a pat on the back. Inserting zombies into the wild western world of Red Dead Redemption? That is a stroke of genius, my friends.

What makes Undead Nightmare so great is that it isn’t just a killer concept — this is premium downloadable content. For a mere $9.99, you get access to a lengthy single player campaign (approx. 10 hours to get 100% completion) as well as two new multiplayer modes. That’s more than some full-priced retail games offer! Expansion packs don’t get much better than this.

Reformed outlaw John Marston is once again the main protagonist, and this time he is out to find a cure for the terrifying new plague that is sweeping the land, all so he can get his wife and child back to normal. The entire Wild West is being overrun with zombies, with the undead rising from their graves all over the area.

Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare [Xbox 360, 2010]

The plague hasn’t just infected humans. It has spread to animals, too, even in John’s preferred method of transportation: horses. I was horrified (yet also amused) when I whistled for a horse, only to have one arrive with half of its face missing. It must also be stated that you don’t know fear until you are attacked out of nowhere by a zombie bear.

Rockstar didn’t just include zombie animals, they also opted to entertain by introducing mythical creatures to the game. Now you can randomly come across chupacabras, sasquatches and unicorns. It’s pretty clear that the developers had a damn good time making this DLC.

As stated earlier, the single player campaign can last a good ten hours or so to finish completely. Aside from the main storyline that brings back some old favorite characters, there are also side quests and random encounters with loners out in the wilderness. Perhaps most fun are the objectives where you can clear out a whole town’s mess of zombies and let them live in peace, albeit most likely for just a few days. This brings a sense of heroism to John’s meandering adventure.

Fans of Red Dead Redemption’s multiplayer will be pleased with Undead Nightmare’s two new modes: Land Grab and Undead Overrun. The former is a free roam feature in which you attempt to hold onto a piece of territory for a certain amount of time, all while fighting off any attackers. The latter mode is my personal favorite, as it is basically a Horde mode against increasingly difficult waves of zombies. Even with a good group of players, this mode can get pretty damn crazy. There were times when I was the last survivor and had to run for my life against a seemingly endless onslaught of zombies. It beats the hell out of Call of Duty’s Nazi Zombies feature, that’s for sure.

Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare [Xbox 360, 2010]

While Undead Nightmare offers an impressive amount of content, it isn’t quite perfect. I ran into some weird glitches, including one particular annoying bug in which I had cleared out the zombies in a town except for one that remained somehow stuck in the walls of a building. I couldn’t get to the bastard, so I had to restart at the last checkpoint and save the town again. Not a huge deal, but an inconvenience nonetheless.

Glitches be damned, this is still a fantastic expansion for those looking to continue the wonderful Red Dead Redemption experience. It is a shame that more developers do not create such engrossing DLC as Undead Nightmare, as this really is one of the best that I have come across. Every now and then this expansion goes on sale for $5, but even at its $9.99 price it is more than worth purchasing.

9/10

Movie Project #24 and #25: Night of the Living Dead [1968] and Double Indemnity [1944]

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The 50 Movies Project is a personal “marathon” of mine. In June, I compiled a list of 50 movies that I felt I needed to see by the end of the year. Old, new, foreign, English — it doesn’t matter. These are all movies that I have heard a lot about and have been wanting to see for some time. This project gives me a way to stay focused on the goal.

Night of the Living Dead [1968]
Night of the Living Dead [1968, Romero]
Starring Duane Jones, Judith O’Dea, Karl Hardman
Ah yes, the godfather of zombie films. Romero’s low budget black-and-white horror classic can be found EVERYWHERE thanks to its public domain status, yet I didn’t actually sit down to watch it until recently. This movie’s influence is massive, as the popularity of zombies has went through the roof in recent years. And to think, none of this would be possible without this 1968 film. The premise is simple: a group of survivors are holed up in a farmhouse and are trying to survive the attacking hordes of zombies (of the slow moving type). During this, the humans fight amongst each other (as expected) and struggle with their collective intelligence. The women, in particular, are a waste of bodies as they mostly just act comatose and offer little value to the group. You would think that if your house is being swarmed by zombies that you would actually make an effort to fight for your life! The men in the group suffer from testosterone issues (“I’m right!” “No, I’m right!”), but at least they try to survive.

While I was annoyed with the general ineptitude of some of the characters, I still really enjoyed the movie. Perhaps aided by the low budget, the film feels more authentic and is still genuinely frightening today. It was also refreshing to see a black lead character (Duane Jones), which was not a common occurrence during the time period. Night of the Living Dead holds up rather well, and is a fun watch some 40+ years later. 8/10

Double Indemnity [1944]
Double Indemnity [1944, Wilder]
Starring Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson
Double Indemnity is a film that I have been looking forward to seeing for a while now, as it seems to get brought up often when discussing Film Noir. I was especially excited to watch this because I had never seen a Billy Wilder film before (a travesty, I know). This classic tale seems to be the quintessential example of Film Noir. Fred MacMurray stars as an insurance salesman who gets caught up in a dangerous murder plot. He becomes deeply enamored with a lonely housewife (Barbara Stanwyck, the fantastic femme fatale), who comes up with the idea of having her husband murdered while making it appear as an accidental death. The duo concoct a plan that would evoke the double indemnity clause in the insurance contract, meaning that the payout would be double the normal amount. While the murder plan is meticulously carried out, other unexpected issues come up, particularly from the insurance company who have their suspicions about the incident.

The screenplay, co-written by Wilder and Raymond Chandler, is fantastic. The dialogue is fast and witty, with lots of sharp one-liners. The story is well-crafted, with many twists and turns. I was impressed with the two leads, as Stanwyck and MacMurray have a dynamic chemistry. I believe this was the first movie I had seen with either star, though I am sure it will not be the last. I would be remiss not to mention Edward G. Robinson’s role as Walter’s boss, as he was a very likable and intriguing character with exceptional investigative skills. Essentially, Double Indemnity is a perfect example of everything I have loved about Film Noir so far. It’s easy to see why this is so well-regarded. 9/10

Video Game Review: Dead Nation [Playstation 3, 2010]

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Dead Nation [Playstation 3, 2010]

Dead Nation
System: Playstation 3
Publisher: SCEA
Developer: Housemarque
Release Date: November 30, 2010

Dead Nation is a top-down shoot ‘em up game in which you play as one of two survivors in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. Your goal is to survive through ten different levels while slaughtering countless zombies along the way. Early on, you are given basic weapons – a rifle with unlimited ammo, an SMG and a shotgun, to name a few. As you progress, you can obtain new weapons and also upgrade anything you get your hands on, including grenades and armor. This upgrading system is a great addition and adds some depth to what is otherwise standard shooting fare.

The game uses the analog sticks as its primary controls — the left stick is used to move, the right is used to aim. Unfortunately, where Dead Nation differs from other similar titles (Zombie Apocalypse immediately comes to mind) is that it requires the use of another button, R1, to shoot. This takes a little bit of time to get used to, and it never really feels natural. I’m not sure why the developers didn’t just allow the right stick to control aiming AND shooting.

Dead Nation [Playstation 3, 2010]

Dead Nation is a challenging game, and it has a tendency to get absurdly frustrating. Housemarque made bold claims before the game’s release date that this would have more on-screen zombies than any game ever made. While it is true that an impressive number of zombie hordes come out of nowhere (and the variety in enemies is equally strong), the game’s top-down view is sometimes too high up and distant to get a good view of all of them. There are occasional problems with straggler zombies coming out of nowhere and getting in cheap hits. The extended camera angles and generally dark atmosphere make it hard to see these loners. On higher difficulty levels, getting hit with these cheap shots can be a major problem.

Although Dead Nation is a solid single player game, it is best played co-op, especially on the higher difficulties. Housemarque put together a well-made zombie shooter, but the odd controls and occasional frustrating gameplay hold it back from being a step above the rest. I got the game on sale for $7.50, and that’s not a bad price. If you can find a similar deal, go for it, but otherwise I would hold off unless you are a big fan of all things zombie.

7/10

Planet Terror [2007]

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Planet Terror [2007]

Planet Terror [2007]
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Genre: Action/Horror/Sci-Fi
Language: English
Country: USA

Planet Terror is part of the Grindhouse double feature created by Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. As an homage/tribute to old exploitation films, Rodriguez’s effort is extremely faithful to its inspirations. The movie is purposefully given a grainy feel, complete with scratches in the picture, and there is even a “missing reel” moment at the most inopportune time. Rodriguez really went all out here, even including a fake trailer at the beginning for the badass Danny Trejo-led Machete (which was recently made into a movie that I can’t wait to see). Planet Terror is set in a town that has been infected with a biochemical weapon which has thereby caused its inhabitants to be turned into zombies. The movie follows a ragtag group of survivors who have banded together to try to survive the onslaught.

The cast here is absolutely terrific, and I couldn’t have thought of a better one myself. Rose McGowan stars as a go-go dancer who loses her right leg due to the virus, and eventually replaces it with a machine gun in one of the most memorable scenes in the movie. Freddy Rodriguez (aka “Rico” of Six Feet Under) is her ex-boyfriend, a man who knows how to use a gun. Josh Brolin and Marley Shelton appear as a doctor-and-anestheliologist husband/wife combo with relationship problems. Two actors from LOST also have significant roles in the movie, Jeff Fahey (aka “Lapidus”) is hilarious as a Texan BBQ shop owner, and Naveen Andrews (Sayid) is a scientist who likes to cut off the balls of his enemies. Even Quentin Tarantino himself has a small role as a creepy rapist soldier.

Naturally, as this is a Robert Rodriguez movie, there is a LOT of over-the-top violence and gore. There are several moments meant to shock viewers, and that’s part of what makes Planet Terror so great. Big explosions, gratuitous blood, campy dialogue and hilarious characters all add to the grindhouse experience. Grab some beers, have some friends over and come along for the ride! Planet Terror is loads of fun — one of the more enjoyable films to come out in recent years.

8/10

Død snø [2009] (Dead Snow)

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Død snø [2009] (Dead Snow)
Director: Tommy Wirkola
Genre: Horror/Comedy
Language: Norwegian
Country: Norway

Dead Snow is a Norwegian zombie horror/comedy film, a total first for me. The movie rolls with a lot of horror cliches: a group of college students head to the mountains for a weekend of snowmobiling, drinking and other tomfoolery. There are a couple of movie nerds in the group, and they acknowledge that this is the perfect setup for a horror movie (of course they don’t actually think anything will happen to them). After arriving to their mountain cabin, the group of students start drinking while waiting for their final friend to show up. A surprise visit from an old man provides the group with a tale of Nazis buried deep in the mountains they are currently sitting upon. Naturally, the kids dismiss this notion and continue partying as if they don’t have a care in the world. Of course, the Nazi zombies show up and all hell breaks loose.

Yeah, the movie has Nazi zombies. Seriously. If that doesn’t tell you all you need to know about the film, then there’s not much that would help. There are a lot of these Nazis, and they are not your typical slow and plodding traditional zombies. These suckers are fast and somewhat intelligent, even incorporating a general in charge of the masses. We are never provided with details about how the Nazis became zombies, whether they can infect others, or much of anything else. All you need to know is that there are a hell of a lot more zombies than students on that mountain!

As expected, Dead Snow has a lot of gore. Some pretty crafty techniques are used for the film’s modest budget, and there are some particularly gruesome scenes involving dismembered limbs and brains splattering on the ground. I was slightly disappointed that the characters did not have much development. I didn’t really care if they died or not, but it was certainly entertaining to watch them fight for their lives. The ending was also somewhat underwhelming considering all of the potential badassery that could have occurred instead, but it was still acceptable. Ultimately, Dead Snow is an entertaining, albeit mindless, zombie movie that follows a lot of cliches but escapes mediocrity by throwing Nazis at us instead of the same old undead. Invite some friends over, grab some beer, and enjoy the bloodshed.

7/10

[REC] [2007]

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[REC] [2007]
Directors: Jaume Balagueró & Paco Plaza
Genre: Horror/Mystery/Thriller
Language: Spanish
Country: Spain

[REC] is a Spanish horror movie using the handheld camera point-of-view that makes you feel as if you are right in the middle of what is happening on screen. The story follows Angela (Manuela Velasco), a TV reporter who is doing a special report on a typical night at a Barcelona fire station. During the middle of the night, the reporter and her unseen cameraman Pablo (Pablo Rosso) follow the group of firefighters on what appears to be a standard call: helping an elderly woman who is trapped in her apartment. Upon reaching the apartment building, however, it is clear that everything is in an utter state of chaos. An apparent zombie-esque virus has broken out in the building, and the area is quarantined shortly after the firefighters and crew arrive inside. Naturally, this infection spreads rapidly while everyone tries to find a way out of the building. Meanwhile, amidst the bedlam, Angela and Pablo maintain filming as best they can.

As stated earlier, the film uses a handheld POV so of course there is a lot of shaky camera action that is bound to bother many viewers. If you had trouble watching the Blair Witch Project or Cloverfield, then you will likely have a hard time with [REC] as well. I really enjoyed this vantage point and felt as if it made the movie more realistic. There are times when the camera is sneakily left rolling even when those in charge attempt to make Pablo turn it off. The camera also catches plenty of gruesome deaths.

[REC] is a fairly short film, but it is a suspenseful ride throughout. There is always a feeling of despair while the characters frantically scramble to find a way out of the building, all while avoiding the increasingly vicious number of infected. However, it is not until the climax that the movie really comes together. Quite frankly, the ending is on a whole different level than the rest of the movie, and it is downright terrifying! There are a handful of jumpy moments throughout the film, but the end is the only segment I would actually label as scary. If it weren’t for the climax, I would have felt a little underwhelmed with [REC]. As it stands, it is the perfect capper to a fresh take on the “zombie” horror genre.

7/10

* It should be noted that there is an American version of this movie titled Quarantine. I have not seen it, but it has generally received unfavorable reviews. I would advise seeing [REC] first.