[REC] 4: Apocalypse

With [REC] 4, Balagueró returns to the main storyline and to the kind of claustrophobic setting where [REC] really thrives, ditching the slapstick splatter of [REC] 3 without sacrificing zombie gore.

As an above-average adrenaline-driven roller-coaster ride, which offsets its multiple cliches with raw, controlled energy, it works.

After an underwhelming third chapter, this Spanish horror franchise largely bounces back.

Thrilling in parts but just missing the mark in so many other aspects, Apocalypse literally ends on a confused look instead of a bang.

Doesn't come close to eclipsing the first two entries, but is certainly an improvement over Part 3.

There is plenty of ferocious tension here, but also some very well-pitched goofiness, with even a cameo from the Sumatran rat monkeys of Peter Jackson's proto-romzomcom from 1992, Braindead.

sequel that, though not exactly fresh, contaminates the franchise's now established tropes with some unexpected subgenres, & keeps the pot boiling on its high-stakes tensions without ever taking itself - or horror - too seriously.

It's a less distinctive film than the oddly sweet, ultra-gory [●REC]3 Génesis - which didn't find favour with some [●REC] purists - but it keeps its pot boiling decently.

[REC] 4: Apocalypse is probably the sequel you wanted after [REC 2].

A worthy sequel with genuine scares. A nice send-off to the series.

As chapter fours go, this is a bloody good time even if it fails to be the capstone that REC really deserves.

Yet while it's fine as a passing diversion, it finally feels unimportant as a movie unto itself.