While not as good as the original, [REC 2] is still well worth a watch.
[REC] 2 Synopsis
A doctor and a SWAT team enter a quarantined building where a virus has turned the residents into a pack of ravenous monsters.
My Thoughts on [REC] 2
It’s really hard not to approach any horror sequel with some degree of skepticism these days, and they quite often disappoint and end up being bad. But [REC] 2 isn’t one of those sequels. While I wouldn’t say it reaches the same heights as the first film, but there are moments where it flirts with being on par.
The introduction of more overt religious themes helps the film evolve, and while the original hinted at something beyond science, here it’s front and center. But personally, I found that shift slightly disappointing. Not because religious horror can’t be effective (it can be brilliant when done right), but because part of what made the original so good was the ambiguity, but I obviously get why it was done.
The film also shifts from a single handheld camera to the multiple perspectives of the SWAT team, and is handled pretty well. It opens up the space without losing the sense of claustrophobia you need.
The cast again also sell all the panic without ever pushing it into melodrama, and I also appreciated how the film respected the first one enough to carry over characters, even briefly, and maintain its visual identity.
It also understands how to use darkness. It’s not just “the lights are off” darkness for the sake of it, but you’re-alone-and-there’s-something-breathing-behind-you darkness. It’s just executed really well.
The sequel really feels like a continuation, and not just a cash grab follow-up. And even though I didn’t love where the mythology went, I admired the commitment to doing something with it rather than just retreading the same beats.
[REC] 2 is a strong sequel. Maybe not essential viewing in the same way as the original, but it earns its place. It takes risks, and even when they don’t fully work for me, I respect it. If the first film was about discovering something horrific, the second is about trying, and failing, to contain it.
It has the confidence of a sequel that has a real commitment to evolving the narrative rather than just echoing it, all the while knowing what made the original work so good. And that I respect a whole lot.
[REC 2] Trailer
[REC 2] on IMDB
[REC 2] Good Points
Bold Shift with Religious Horror – Even though I was a bit disappointed, I respect the films move from viral outbreak to demonic possession, as it does give the sequel its own identity instead of being a copy-paste sequel.
Paced Like a Rollercoaster – No times is wasted The escalation is fast but controlled.
Multi-Camera – The switch to SWAT team POVs with multiple cameras is really well done, and keeps that claustrophobia feeling strong.
[REC 2] Bad Points
Some Of The Story Beats – In trying to expand the lore, the film does occasionally edge towards some exposition dumps and some awkward mythology building
Loss of Ambiguity – I am sure many are fine with this, but I would have liked it to have kept more ambiguity and uncertainty. .
Is [REC 2] Worth Watching?
Yes, [REC] 2 is a horror sequel that doesn’t treat the film as a cash grab, and treats it with a lot of ambition, tension, and craft. It’s not as good as the original, but it’s well worth a watch.
Where To Stream [REC 2]?
[REC 2] Director and Cast
Directors – Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza
Main Cast – Jonathan Mellor, Manuela Velasco, Óscar Zafra, Ariel Casas, Alejandro Casaseca, Pablo Rosso, Andrea Ros, Navarro, Pep Molina, Carlos Olalla
Found Footage Horror Movies 
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