First a clarification, I watched REC a while ago and thus my memory of it may be a bit hazy, apologies if details are fuzzy. I am, however, writing this immediately after watching Quarantine so that is fresh in my mind. I felt that a comparison review might be more interesting than a single one having watched both interpretations.
The first thing that strikes me at the beginning is how unbelievably similar the two movies are, I mean seriously carbon copy stuff. The problem at both movies' exposition is that both mistake slowness and boredom for set-up or establishing atmosphere or character, in both cases it fails and doesn't seem to fulfill this purpose, merely annoyingly delaying any form of action (which is where we really get to know people). The Spanish original is more effective however for the simple fact that it had the benefit of being new and doesn't do the annoying Americanisation things like unnecessary swearing or, even worse, setting up characters as unlikable who are to be killed later. It really lessens the dramatic impact and seems like an insult to its audience's perceived sensibilities.
As things go on I was generally prepared to shut Quarantine off (I'm glad I didn't though), since I severely felt like I'd seen this before. The first half an hour or so is the epitome of an exercise in irrelevance and it is frankly insulting that anyone other than the original film's writers gets a credit. Worse the camera felt a need to be a lot more intrusive and precise here, taking away some of the spookiness and really irritating me during the encounter with "Mrs Espinosa". Its much less frightening when we see her coherent and then witness the exact moment she snaps into the aggressive behaviour. In it's favour though, the U.S version is a little more claustrophobic in these scenes, my memory of the original is of much longer corridors and spaces presented by camera/cinematographer et al giving the impression of more room to escape from the newly infected, which is far less tense or frightening (if necessary at first).
Throughout the film there is another thing that Quarantine does better. Maybe it's because I speak the language or have more social and cultural connection but characters feel far more fleshed out, the trapping being much more affecting and the tension and arguments being much more immediate and visceral than they seemed in REC.
When we get to the development of the plot and the spread of the infection Quarantine, perhaps unsurprisingly, comes across a lot more "Resident Evil-esque" despite being slower to identify the horror nature of the problem (it genuinely seems to be believed to be rabies for a long time, the people in REC seemed much more aware of zombie tropes making for a much more unusually conflicted scene in Quarantine wherever the aggressors are killed). Sometimes this comes across badly (the dog in the elevator is ridiculously OTT, as are a few moments), but on the whole it seems, to me, much more brutal and action packed than REC, holding my attention much better throughout these scenes (a 4 star on their own giving the remake something of an edge).
The final scenes of "final girl" Angela and her cameraman at both movies close are, however, where things shift. In REC these are the scenes which truly gain the film its memorable status as an intriguing supernatural element is introduced (unsurprisingly omitted from the American movie) and explanations are attempted (though again much more so in REC, Quarantine just seems to have rushed to a climax then lost steam a little). The images in these scenes of REC are truly haunting, the stuff of nightmares. I can't explain it but something in the way that the final "demon-esque" creature is shown truly chilled me and scared me on some primordial level. Quarantine was nerve racking and still scary (perhaps owing a little more to the work done by the "regular" zombies here, but massively disappointing when "Ally McBeal baby" and "Cryptkeeper" appeared (sarcasm intended), the acting and direction still have you on edge but these supposed monsters are not at all effective or affecting, their best moment being off screen at the movies (again perfectly replicated) climax.
As a remake thus Quarantine is good but a bit pointless. I would still recommend it to anyone afraid of subtitles, who hadn't seen the original or who was a fan of horror action but craves a bit more plot. The really frustrating thing from my perspective though is that the best experience would be gained by splicing the better elements from both movies together (either or neither intro, then US, then Spanish). Individually they are great and unusually brave, unique movies but ultimately each flawed in their own way.
[*REC]: *** 3/5
Quarantine: *** 3/5
Both definitely worth seeing though and, for the record, both would get 3.5 if I agreed in half marks but unfortunately fall short of 4 star status except in their individual best moments.
