Now that I have seen both films, I wanted to open a discussion about comparing the two films.
First off, I want to say a few things:
1. Quarantine is a remake, deal with it. Don't let that fact taint your view of a film.
2. The copy I have of [Rec] is a bootleg with often incorrectly translated subtitles, but it is a very high quality bootleg and I do understand Spanish (albeit my vocabulary is super weak).
3. I saw Rec on my computer, and Quarantine in a theater, so the difference in the experience may attribute to my feelings about the films.
4. I genuinely like both films a great deal.
5. SPOILERS THROUGHOUT POST!
On to the comparison....
Sets:
Sets from both films are eerie, interesting, and are practically identical. So no really noticeable difference here.
CHARACTERS:
First major thing: Pablo is the cameraman in Rec, but if I am correct, we never see him. In Quarantine, Scott is the cameraman and we are treated to seeing him partially multiple times. In both films, the relationship between Angela and Pablo/Scott is established very well. So what I am trying to say is that Quarantine doesn't sour the relationship by having Scott in frame for a while. In fact, it adds a bit more depth to their relationship.
Second thing: Angela is likable in both films. In Rec though, she has a bitchier, more career-oriented attitude. Jennifer Carpenter's Angela (from Quarantine) is younger, less seasoned, and generally nicer. But both ladies are good leads. Q's Angela seems to feel the impact of the situation more, with some nice scenes showing her mental breakdown. Neither portrayal is better than the other, they are just two slightly different Angela's.
Third: The two main firefighters (Manu y Alex in Rec, Jake and Fletcher in Quarantine) are quite different between the two films. In Rec, we are introduced to them, and are supposed to like them, but the film really doesn't develop them that much. Quarantine gives more exposition at the beginning at the fire station, and therefore ends up making Jake more integral and interesting that Manu was.
Fourth: The tenants differ, but who cares....they are all gonna die anyway! We do get more time with some of the tenants in Quarantine however.
ACTING:
Both films feature good, if relatively unknown casts (for Quarantine anyway, can't say I'm really up on my Spanish Celebrities). I love Manuela Velasco as Angela in Rec, and she pretty much carried the movie. She was fabulous regardless. The other actors in Rec didnt get much screen, but they were all highly believable. In Quarantine, Jennifer Carpenter truly impressed me with her hysterics and her emotion, as well as her everyday Reporterness in the beginning. I love her in Dexter, and was so glad to see her act her ass off. Though I keep reading that she overacts with her hysterics in this movie, I can't help but wonder why people think crazy hysterics are not warranted for a situation in which you are pretty much guaranteed to die and you are being stalked by flesh-hungry creatures. Jay Hernandez plays Jake in Quarantine and I actually didnt mind him. I believe he was in Hostel and I was not a fan of him there. Scott, the cameraman played by Steve Harris, also impressed me. Where have I seen him before? He was perfect. Poor guy just about broke down when he bludgeoned that ho to death with his camera. A very nice moment there, along with the FANTASTIC scene where Angela cries as Jake and Scott strangle the female creature towards the end. Both filmsreally excel in the area of acting, with Quarantine's Angela taking a more hysteric, yet still endearing road.
STORY:
From point to point, there is not much differentiation between the two films but there are a few things: added scenes and dialogue at the firestation in Q, more creature set-pieces in Q, a tv watching scene with a good scare, and the nice addition of the dog/elevator scenes. A big change is the origin of the infection, which is truly up to your interpretation and liking. Which one is better is something you must decide for yourself. I think I may be leaning towards Rec on that one. When viewing Quarantine though, keep a lookout for the extra scenes that really do add a whole new level of depth to the characters. One of my favorite scenes that was added to the story was the aforementioned strangling scene (that was also blocked and framed superbly).
DIRECTING:
Fabulous in both. But a very subjective area...it's truly up to your liking. I will say there are some very effective scenes in both, and I really love some of the added visual touches and scenes in Quarantine. But one area where Q is weak is that it never achieves the gritty feel that [Rec] has. Q is a bit too shiny. Overall though, the visual aesthetic of both films is quite pleasing.
SCARES:
Quite subjective again, but both films exceed when compared to the drivel us horror fans are usually subjected to. I will say that having seen Rec first may have dampened the fright I might have experienced during most of Q, but the same can be said for the reverse scenario. Though you should still check out Q for the new scares and set-pieces we are given. Damn rabid dogs. Another complaint with Q I have is that while the ending is almost the same, the final creature didnt resonate as well as the Medeiros girl in Rec. But I will say that the final ten minutes had my heart pounding in Q. That's literal heart-pounding; I could actually hear it in the theare.
SCORE:
Relatively non-existent in both films, but silence is used to great effect in both especially near the end! Love it.
GORE:
Neither movie is tame, but Q definitely amps it up a level. That broken leg had my ass cringing, and how about the drill to the head? I thought going to the dentist was bad. Damn. FX in both films are excellent, with Q spilling much more blood.
OVERALL:
I loved both films, was scared by both films, and truly enjoyed both experiences over all. All in all, I'm just glad to feel refreshed by these horror films. I'm so tired of the stagnant pool of horror shit that gets released around here. And an added bonus, Jessica Alba isnt in this remake! That earns Q some points at least.
Now the big question:
Which films is better?
To me, I love them both, and feel that each film has things about it that are stronger than the other, and each has points that are weaker than the other film. But if I must choose, Rec wins solely because it was Q's progentitor, and it felt grittier, and more real. But I can say that even though I like Rec more, I will pretty get more rewatches out of Quarantine.
Take this all with a grain of salt, being that opinions differ greatly, and I love both films so my opinion is tainted.
Now let's get on to the debating.
