HOSTEL 2

(7.5/10)

Well I can see why this wasn't screened to critics but in a way I can't because this is lots better than half the other crap that gets screened. I don't even know how this didn't get an NC-17 rating. Heavy, gruesome stuff but its safe to say that this torture genre stuff is on it's way out. People are losing interest and starting to feel guilty probably in finding pleasure in such dread (Saw 4 is now on it's way).

Hostel 2 begins with a rather cliche and predictable opening in which soul survivor Paxton (Jay Hernandez) quickly meets his fate, picking up right where the first one left off. I have trouble with sequels that go this route- yeah it's been done forever and yeah it's scary and gets you going into the next story but it is unnecessary and has lasting effects for future viewings of the originals. We lose the sense of empowerment from our hero's, knowing that they've well...died in the first 10 minutes of the next one. That being said I'll move on because I was easily taken by our three leading ladies- the performances in the beginning were very natural and funny, making us care just enough about them. Beth, Lorna and Whitney (Played by Lauren German, Heather Matarazzo and Bijou Phillips) are college students traveling overseas much like the boys in the original. Anyway things get going fast and they are basically on auction and get bought and kidnapped to be tortured. The beginning of the movie is very good and atmospheric and perfectly creepy but things took a drastic turn at mid-point when an unsettling torture scene just brings the movie down a good few notches. It's so incredibly gross and hard to watch- it felt out of place, thats all I can say. The movie's continue to make statements about excess in our country and world. This one even brings money into the factor- I can't really go more into it without giving anything away. Anywho, the ending is satisfying and GROSSSSSS but again, silly. The scare factor is gone long before we leave the theatre because director Eli Roth lets schlock take over and I know he is known for that but the first Hostel was something special, a true nightmare. These directors with thier horror movies continue to succumb to the typical faults that make sequels unnsuccessful. This is good for fans but you'll wish it had something more.