Happily Never After

Watching this REC 3: Genesis has become one of the only Valentine’s Day traditions I have. I originally reviewed this one for the October Horror Movie Challenge in 2014. Decided to do a new review after watching it tonight. There are some spoilers, but the movie is 13 years old, so you've been warned. 

Plot 

Two young lovers have their wedding day ruined when a demonic zombie outbreak happens at their wedding.

Review

If you aren't familiar REC is a four film Spanish horror franchise. The first two movies are about an apartment building that sees some sort of zombie-like outbreak. The first two films are two of the best found footage movies I've seen. REC 3: Genesis starts out in the same found footage style, but once hell breaks loose one of the protagonist breaks the wedding videographer's camera and the film shifts to a standard cinematic flick.  In case you're wondering, the fourth and final film in the series is also shot in the standard manner. Of the four movies, REC 3 is my favorite. It is a departure from the other three in that it's a standalone story and it also has quite a bit dark comedy. 

Koldo and Clara are the perfect protagonists. They are an attractive young couple, truly in love, and getting married. The cast of characters are pretty entertaining.  We have various family members, a videographer, Sponge John (a character that is legally distinct from Spongebob Squarepants), and a person that infiltrated the wedding reception to file a law suit against the happy couple for any copyrighted song played. Though I like the characters, they are flawed. Like most folks in horror flicks they make some really stupid decisions. For example, it's revealed that the infected zombies are possessed by demons. The demons can be seen in reflections. The creatures also can't enter holy ground, are harmed by holy water (at least that's what Koldo's grandmother says), and held at bay when they hear the priest praying or reading scripture. Do survivors stay in the church where it's safe? Of course not.

Watching Clara cut part of her dress off with a chainsaw and then fighting with it is one of the most badass and hot things I've seen in a movie.

Like many horror flicks, this one doesn't have a happy ending. Despite that I think it has a romantic one. I'm don't get me wrong it's fucked up, but it's still sweet. You can see gifs of it in here.

In Your Game

I recently got my pdf copy of SURVIVE THIS!! Zombies! Ultimate Edition so I thought I'd stat the demonic zombies out for that system. I'm also adding that book and several other Bloat Games books I have to my "to review" list.

Fallen

These zombies were created when demons cast out by God at Genesis returned to Earth and possessed mortals. 

Pack Size: 1-12

Armor Class: 13

Hit Dice: 2
Move: 12
Actions: 1
Attack: Bite (1d4-1 + fallen infection), claws (d4-1 + fallen infection), slam (d4), by weapon
Special: Undead (they can run), Unholy, toughness +2, Fallen zombie
Bonuses: +3 to melee attacks, +3 to damage, +2 to Spot & Listen
Alignment: Evil
Morale: 10

Madness: -

Terror: 12

HDE: 1

Unholy infection: If their bite or claws deal damage, the target must make a Poison Save, or they will become infected. If infected, they are at -2 to all attack & skill rolls, lose ½ their Move (rounded up), and lose 1 HP an hour until magically or psychically healed or until they make another Poison Save attempt. They may try another Poison Save every 3 hours. If they die while infected, they will become a fallen.

Undead-like: While they are technically living, like undead they are immune to Poisons, stuns, being sickened, Diseases & Critical Hits.

Unholy: While they appear as regular zombies, a Fallen's reflection reveals its true forms. Any Holy Man can spend their turn reciting prayers or quotes to cause all Fallen to become immobile while listening to the religious words.

Fallen zombie: They will continue to try to eat the living until they are reduced to 0 HP.