Zombie Research Society
The 2007 Spanish film [REC] was a huge international success that soon led to a shot-for-shot American remake titled Quarantine in 2008. Each follows a deadly viral outbreak in a city apartment building that turns those infected into raving maniacs. Though we’re partial to the original both films have their merits, and a lot of credit has to be given to the makers of Quarantine for not messing with what made [REC] so great. But never underestimate Hollywood’s ability to ruin a good thing.
In 2009 the original writing/directing team of Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza released [REC] 2, a highly successful squeal that is set in the same Barcelona apartment building as [REC] and opens just minutes after their first film. Two years later Sony Pictures tapped John Pogue to write and direct Quarantine 2: Terminal for the U.S. market. Pogue is a longtime Hollywood hack responsible for such yawners as Ghost Ship and Rollerball, and he wasted no time in ruining the solid concept.
Quarantine 2 features sub-par acting, a nonsensical plot and directing that can only be described as pure crap. The story is most similar to another forgettable straight-to-video zombie flick, Flight of the Living Dead (2007), and follows a group of airline passengers who must survive a deadly viral outbreak on their plane. It is a clear money-grab for Sony, and is a perfect example of the uninspired drivel that passes as actually film-making in Hollywood these days.
When Quarantine 2 is compared to its cousin [REC] 2, there is no comparison. Sony and Pogue should be embarrassed by the heartless, gutless film they produced. But hey, they got paid so what do they care?
I’m glad someone feels the same way. They did okay with Quarantine (1) but they left some of my favorite details out of that as well. Although I can’t wait for Rec 3.
quarantine was superior to rec , simply because the actors , who where really good , the army and cdc simply intimidate more than what we see in rec ….. but god , they simply mutilated quarantine 2 , they destroyed it , i cant understand how they thought the ,,green peace extremist , tulip eating , doomsday cult could compare to the simple presence of an ancient evil who just entered this world in the form of a civilization-killer virus T-T worst , they ruined any chance of making a rec 2 american remake (that whould have been kick ass) . god ,plz god give us a rec 2 american remake , i want to see more souls to the barbecue
It always makes me wonder, when they sit and watch the movie before it’s released, did they really think it was good? There is no excuse to make a crap movie these days.
Give up America. Only George can beat [REC].
This is why directors shouldn’t be allowed to write AND direct. Its the same reason why Shamalan’s stuff will never be great.
Some people can write and direct all at the same time, Clint Eastwood comes to mind.
Good point. – Don’t forget the Coen Brothers!