[REC] 2

Stars: Jonathan Mellor, Ariel Casas, Pep Molina, Manuela Velasco

Director: Jaume Balaguero, Paco Plaza

Back to the hand-held camera horrors of the house of pain. Since we were last here in 2008, the cause of this in-house armageddon seems to have switched from rabid infection to demonic possession, as the authorities send in an elite team of four SWAT operatives, plus a doctor in charge (Really? Just five people?) and in no time they're up to their ears in blood - not to mention screeching naked creatures who seem to have been there since the year dot.

With a couple cut down by screaming harpies out for blood (or controlled by demons, or both) while they look for the blood of the original girl who caused this contageous catastrophe, the team's numbers are swollen by three teenagers who got in through the sewers, and by...but, no, this time round this is all too silly and, though well-made and uncompromising, fits more comfortably into the conventional horror genre.

Most original moment: a zombie woman killed off with a rocket firework in her mouth. Most foolish line, from a security officer. 'Listen. No one's going to die here!' He must be joking. One character seems to be left behind in the house at the end, possibly to make way for another sequel. Surely, though, enough is enough.

David Quinlan

Spain 2009. UK Distributor: e1films. Colour.
81 minutes. Not widescreen. UK certificate: 18.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 0, Violence/Horror 3, Drugs 1, Swearing 2.

Review date: 24 May 2010