![🎬 [Rec]3, [Rec], [Rec]2, [Rec]4](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,width=720,onerror=redirect/uploads/asset/file/25f48b52-bae1-4ec3-84d8-865ed7313c9a/cinema-rec4.jpg)
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Don’t let the rating fool you, there was most definitely clowning around happening in the making of [Rec]3 Genesis. However, we enjoyed this stupid movie so much, we are ignoring the clowning around behind the scenes and simply appreciating the clowning around happening on screen.
Now, as is expounded upon in the review below, [Rec]3 is disconnected from the other films in the franchise, and thus stands alone. We do believe it is the best in the series, and so we leave the order of watching these films at your discretion. Will you:
A) Start with the best and watch the others in tow, or
B) Watch the others first and top off this cinematic experience with the best?
You cannot go wrong either way. There are vague similarities between [Rec]4 and the rest of the films—namely, zombies—but otherwise you are at no loss in how you choose to watch them. Just don’t watch them in order. [Rec]4 picks up right where [Rec]2 leaves off, in which case watching these films in strict numerical succession means you have a rather strange sort of interlude in the story.
Nay decide whether to watch [Rec]3 first or last, and then proceed with your watch party.
Find the list on Letterboxd here:
Let's just dish it right up for you. We love a good Chainsaw Zombie Murder Bride story. Mostly because they're not all too common. Zombie apocalypse on your wedding day? At your wedding? Some might consider that bad luck, but listen: when you're in love, and it's "til death do us part," ... well, let's not get carried away here; it is far too early in the review to introduce spoilers.
This film is in the genre of Found Footage, but that's only partially accurate. I do believe it remains squarely in the genre thanks to its predecessors [Rec]1, [Rec]2, and its successor, [Rec]4 Apocalypse, which are entirely found footage. [Rec]3 Genesis differs from the other three in two ways:
It is not entirely Found Footage. In fact, once the carnage begins, we lose the "found footage" and are just watching a film, and
The story appears to have nothing to do with the other three films in the series.
When a film in a series is labeled "Genesis," I assume it's going to be a dive into the beginning of whatever monstrosity terrorizes the characters throughout the series. However, this is not the case here. Fuck me for assuming, right? There is no lore. At some point, the priest mentions "This is the Genesis," which of course prompts us as spectators to take a drink. Name of the film in the film! Take a drink. This aside, nothing significant comes of the exclamation. There is some random biblical connection with the zombies, suggested and uncovered as the film progresses; this is hardly explained, if at all, and that is it. The carnage continues, everybody's running and screaming or already dead and running and biting, and any expectation of connection with the other films should be summarily dismissed.
Actually, come to think of it, I do recall one point on which this film is connected with the others: one character says "We have to keep filming, everyone has a right to know what happened here," or some such thing, which is a refrain made in the three others. Aside from this, [Rec]3 is pretty much its own creature.
Continued after the break
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An old woman risks everything to discover what became of her husband. A tale from the Odds ‘n’ Endings Boutique.
Once you accept this film is on its own, that's when it comes to life. The complete and total absurdity of the events as the wedding day progresses from ceremony to reception and from the mundane to absolute carnage is nothing short of phenomenal. All of the usual zombie hijinks are here: running, screaming, hiding, biting, ripping, tearing, rending, blood, guts, smashing, grabbing, reaching, reacting, blunt weapons, knives, guns, and, of course, the chainsaw.
I have not yet mentioned this Backstage, because I have not had ample opportunity to do so, so this will be the first and I am relishing it:
You cannot have a zombie masterpiece without a vengeful woman wielding a chainsaw.
You simply cannot. Listen, I don't make the rules. This is just a plain ol' fact. Lots of great zombie films exist without this very specific trope, but they fail to be masterpieces without it.
Find me a trope more absurd and more badass than this one.
And what a masterpiece this film becomes. Our bride, Clara, who is terrorized throughout most of the film and at one point appears to be able to escape with her life, goes back for her husband. She's not leaving without him, no sir, no ma'am, absolutely the fuck not. Grabbing a chainsaw which is conveniently at hand, she shreds much of the drape of her dress so she can move more freely. Then, filled with righteous vengeance and a singular goal, she dives back into the fray to rescue her husband, taking her vow of "for better or for worse" seriously. Very seriously indeed!
If ever there has been a moment in cinema defining "ride or die," this is it. She carries on her murderous campaign against the infected all the way up to ... well, you'll have to watch it for yourself to see what happens. We'll not spoil the ending.
The cinematography and style are all very in line with your typical zombie film. There is nothing novel here, just a fun horror action romp with zombies and pseudo-demon shit. And of course, the chainsaw-wielding murder bride hell bent on rescuing the love of her life. This is absolute cinema at its finest and we cannot recommend it more highly.
This series is quite the excursion, and we hope you enjoy watching it as much as we here at the Calamity enjoyed watching it. We would be absolutely thrilled to hear about your cinematic experience. Please leave a comment or use the survey links below to tell us your thoughts on the films presented. This is, after all, half the fun in watching them, is it not?
Anywho, thank you so much for being here. We look forward to sharing a new list with you next week!
Cordially,
Mad Alex
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