[REC] is easily one of the biggest surprises of the year for me. I found out about this movie while watching the trailer “Quarantine”, which is the remake of [REC] and I was really intrigued by the trailer so I knew I had to see it, and long story short I’m glad I did. The film is about a feisty reporter by the name of Angela and her cameraman Pablo who are doing a story at a Firestation getting some footage of the daily life of a Fireman. When the sirens ring and Angela and Pablo tag along to the scene, they head down to an apartment complex where reports of an injured woman being locked in her room needs assistance. When they step foot into the apartment is when the film cranks up the terror, grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go until the credits roll at the end.

Some people may be turned off by hand held camera films as some were in “The Blair Witch Project” or the recent hit “Cloverfield” but if you can get over the fact that it’s shown in first-person then you’re in for a very surprising treat. [REC] has got to be one of the scariest films I have ever seen, I didn’t know it was possible for me to be scared by movies anymore but this movie sure did prove me wrong. The claustrophic feel to the movie and the realism of what’s going on is beyond terrifying.

The acting was very real and it seemed like what you are watching is what actually went down and I was actually very impressed at how genuine everyone’s reactions were to the surreal situation. I gotta give it to the leading lady Angela played by Manuela Velasco who really shines and shows some pretty high acting skills as the confused and determined reporter. The movie is in Spanish which doesn’t hinder the film at all, it doesn’t hurt to know the language but the subtitles are there.

I went into this movie with little to no prior of knowledge of what I was actually going to be seeing (rather then the trailer) and I don’t really want to give anything away. I will say one word that the movie contains “zombies” and scary ones at that. Trying to be discreet, I will say that this film does leave a lasting impression on you way after it ends and WILL make you jump and/or scream (happened to me). After seeing this film it does kind of upset me that it’s being remade and I will advise that you don’t watch the trailer for “Quarantine” before seeing this film.

Overall this film really did surprise me and I was just so impressed with it that I have to give it a 5 out of 5. It had everything a horror movie should have and it had all the elements to make it scary. Give this movie a watch and I promise you’ll be glad you did.