Filthy Review - '[REC] 3 Genesis' US DVD

[REC] 3 Genesis (2012)

Review by Jude Felton

This is the second time I have reviewed [REC] 3, the first time being for the UK release, but it’s a film that certainly warrants a second viewing. Aside from the fact that the [REC] movies are proving to be one of the best franchises in horror right now, Genesis is quite a bold departure from the first two films.

In part 1 & 2 the action was, for the most part, confined to an apartment complex, with the second film beginning right where the first film left off. The films, directed by Paco Plaza and Jaume Balaguero, also had the distinction of be shot entirely from the first person perspective, with either film crew cameras or police cameras, which added to the claustrophobic feel.

Genesis departs from the first two films in a couple of areas; the first of which is that Paco Plaza directs the film on his own this time out, with Balaguero off helming the fourth installment, entitled Apocalypse. Another departure is the setting, gone is the apartment building and instead we are invited to the wedding of Clara and Koldo, of which we view through the point of view of home video style footage. Then, bang, without warning the movie shifts in style to a more conventional style of visuals. It makes sense when you watch it, believe me, and it also adds another dimension to the franchise, freeing it up from falling into a stale routine.

What I maybe didn’t expect from Genesis was the almost over-the-top amount of blood and gore on display. This really is a gore hounds delight, ripe with a thick layer of humor, which was also absent from the previous two movies, as the wedding guests and undead clash with spectacular results.

[REC] 3 really is quite a terrific movie, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to all fans of wild horror. Plaza’s direction is spot-on, the humor is just at the right level and the cast play out the script quite perfectly. Also, if the sight of Clara wielding a chainsaw, whilst still in her wedding dress, doesn’t pull you in, I am afraid we are no longer friends!

All this brings me around to the US release of Genesis. For some reason Sony have decided to release the movie on DVD only, with no Blu-ray edition. Why? I do not know. The recent UK release came out in both formats, and in Canada they also have a Hi-Def version. I really would like to know the reasoning behind Sony’s decision, especially considering the amount of crap that does find its way onto Blu.

That being said, this is without doubt well worthy of your hard-earned cash, as it is a bloody good movie. As well as the main feature on this DVD, there are also a couple of extras for you to check out. First up are some outtakes, and then we get 23 minutes of deleted scenes. Bear in mind that the film itself is only 80 minutes and you will come to realize that this is a fair amount of footage. The deleted scenes themselves don’t add too much to the overall plot of the film, but they are worth checking out. Who know, maybe somewhere further down the line there will be a version with these scenes included in the film.

So, aside from the minor grumble of the film only getting a DVD release in the US, this is without a doubt one of the better sequels to see the light of day in recent years. Hell, it is just a flat-out fun and outrageous ride. Just when you think the undead genre is on its last legs, a movie like this comes along to breathe more life (or death) in the genre.

[REC] 3 Genesis is released on DVD by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on November 6th.