Quarantine 2: Terminal (2011)

Set one day after the events of “Quarantine”, Mercedes Masohn and Bre Blair are stewardesses on an interstate flight who encounter serious problems when an obese passenger (George Back) appears to have contracted a horrible virus that turns him into a flesh-eating loon. I guess you wouldn’t complain about him taking up two seats, at this point. After making an emergency landing, the passengers and crew (the passengers include a kid played by Mattie Liptak and a high school science teacher played by Josh Cooke, who has brought some hamsters onto the plane) find themselves sealed off in an airport terminal without any explanation whatsoever. And now more people are starting to get sick and all ragey and bitey.

That subtitle, “Terminal” is oh-so cute, isn’t it?

“Quarantine” was a well-made, virtually shot-for-shot remake of an excellent Spanish film called “[REC]”. In other words, it was entirely pointless and useless to me as entertainment. This 2011 direct-to-DVD remake written and directed by John Pogue is no “[REC]”, but thankfully it’s not a remake of “[REC 2]”, either, because that film was a great disappointment to me. In fact, it’s probably better than “Quarantine”, because at least this time I found it entertaining, because I wasn’t just watching the same damn movie as before. That doesn’t make it original, mind you, just not a rip-off or a complete waste of time.

Early on it actually doesn’t seem all that similar to the previous films at all, rather more of a “Flying Virus” film (Or perhaps “Zombies on a Plane”?). It’s an interestingly cheesy route for the film to take and I also appreciated that it got off and running rather quickly. It’s a bit of a shame that once the plane lands it ends up being exactly the film you expect, not just a “Quarantine” film, but a little like a first-person shooter where the afflicted people keep popping up and getting shot down. That doesn’t make it a bad film (especially if you like computer games), just not as creative as it first appeared.

The characters aren’t entirely likeable, but they’re pretty interesting for a direct-to-DVD sequel to a horror remake. Lead actress Mercedes Masohn (who is hot as hell) in particular is really good as a young woman who must put aside her fears to take care of the young boy who has been temporarily entrusted to her (Even if he’s a pain in the rear). I also want to make mention of the fact that at least one character dies well before expected, so all praises for that bit of surprise.

Meanwhile, I really need to praise the cinematography here. The use of darkness, shadow, and light is really good, and for the most part, colour filters do not rear their ugly heads. Nor is the film shot with handheld cameras in a jerky first-person manner like any of the previous films, which is odd, but in my view appreciated.

The finale is sad and depressing, but I was hoping it’d be even bolder than that. Semi-relevant trivia: The first “Quarantine” featured Jennifer Carpenter in the lead. She plays Dexter’s foul-mouthed sister on “Dexter”. This sequel features Josh Cooke in a supporting role. Cooke played a geeky supporting role on one season of “Dexter”.

OVERALL SUMMARY
For a direct-to-DVD sequel to an American remake of a Spanish horror film, this one really surprises. It is actually more entertaining than “Quarantine”. Those who haven’t seen “[REC]” might disagree, but that’s your problem for not having seen “[REC]”. Good, undemanding, schlocky fun.