Had this been a stand alone zombie film I guess it would be ok, certainly better than most. It has some humour, fantastic gore and doesn't outstay its welcome.

The thing is, this isn't a standalone film. This is part of a series of films that has created its own mythology and presented it in a serious and dark tone. And they were at points scary as hell.

This film does none of that. It starts out great, but quickly moves towards forced comedy and predictable plotting. Which is a shame as it is all well made, but completely out of tune with the rest of the films.

Eschewing much of the mythology and found-footage gimmickry of its predecessors, "[Rec]3 Genesis" is straight-ahead zombie flick. The Spanish-language film is effectively violent, gory, and harrowing, but introduces a somewhat hokey tone that may divide its audience. Overall, the film offers solid zombie thrills and some interesting nods for genre fans. It may be a [Rec] film in name only, but it comes recommended.

The [REC] series makes a strong recovery from its disappointing and preposterous second film. While "Genesis" has managed to draw ire from 'hardcore' fans of the first two movies, I for one was thoroughly entertained.

The first 20 minutes are a brilliant set-up, establishing the characters and making inventive use of the 'found footage' formula even as the filmmakers poke fun at the genre's conceits. From there, the movie makes a clever transition into standard cinematic-style storytelling and becomes a full on horror/comedy. Gore-hounds, fear not: there are plenty of rabid, demon possessed party-goers to be dismembered in spectacularly messy fashion.

The last half hour plays out with playful nods to movies like "Evil Dead 2" and Peter Jackson's "Brain Dead." Sure, the film doesn't make as strong an impression as those classics, due in part to its brief 80 minute runtime, but "REC 3" delivers exactly the kind of entertaining thrill ride I look for in a horror movie.

I respect changing the tone of a franchise, but this is a fairly below average zombie film.

Rec 3 Genesis takes everything that was great about Recs 1 & 2 and throws them out the fuckin' window about 20 minutes in. Not a horrible movie on it's own, but a huge letdown after the brilliant Rec 2.

Almost as clever as it is relentless, the third entry in the successful Spanish zombie franchise thankfully jettisons the first two film's faux-documentary conceit, while also adding some well-judged moments of levity into the mix.

It doesn't feel like the first two in any way. It exists in a completely different over the top genre movie universe but as a stand alone zombie movie I had fun with it. This shouldn't be a Rec movie but it's a good zombie movie regardless.

Not outright terrible if it were it's own little low budget indie horror. But giving it the tag of a [rec] film is insulting to the other two films. This thing is standard, fairly boring and has almost zero heart.

Now that's a wedding!

Love that they ditched the shaky camera, but the super religious crap forces the franchise to die a slow and very painful death, and opposite to the two other REC's, this third film deals with cringe worthy one-liners and REALLY bad acting.
This reminds me of Resident Evil in a lot of ways. The story is kind of just above mediocre, with lots of blood splatter and brains, but doesn't get anywhere near scary.

Its safe to say that this is not a REC film, in style nor story. The film itself feels like your run of the mill zombie flick that takes hints (a generous word) from the previous two films in order to stay somewhat in continuity.

Overall, the movie does not know what it wants to be, or rather tries to be too much from Found Footage Film, to Comedic Horror, to Hardcore Horror, to Tragic Romance and finally Fan-Service Zombie Film. Its "self awareness" of the Rec series' Found Footage format causes the film to abandon its roots and take on a classical cinematic format. However, the treatment of this change feels contrived at best.

Whereas Rec and Rec 2 add to the story and mythos of a demon controlled virus, this film fails to add anything to its genre, much less its franchise.

Dear Paco Plaza.

If you want to make a cheesy, clichéd, extremely bloody and kinda fun zombie flick feel free to do so. Just don't make it a [REC] movie.

Sincerely,
me.