Hostel - Part II (2007)

BETTER THAN EXPECTED! NOT NEARLY AS GORY AS IT'S REPUTATION!

There's a new monster in horror! Forget the misunderstood variety, like Frankenstein's monster, forget the Atomic bomb causing bugs to grow to enormous size and forget the relentless slashing madmen, like Michael Myers! Today, new horror fans have a new terror, it's the rich self absorbed A-Hole who is bored with his life and wants to torture and kill innocent people....why?... because he can!

Hostel II has been labeled one of the goriest films ever made, but it's really a self parody that is pretty entertaining. Oh there is some gore for sure, but nothing like I imagined there would be. I probably would hate both of these 'Hostel' films, but between all the nasty stuff there is a keen sense of wit that flows through both films.

The subject matter alone in a shocking setting and there in always tension in the air because you don't know when something really messed up in about to happen. I don't think we need a part 3 in this franchise, but this one is worth a look......if you like this sort of thing! The unrated DVD has an excellent transfer and some interesting extras. It also sports one of the most shocking(and funny) endings I've ever seen! November 16, 2008

It sinks too far

My problem with the first Hostel was the exact opposite. The beginning of that film was what I'd call pointless drivel, up until we were exposed to a dark world and a vicious, unnerving ending. Hostel: Part II opens just as we left the ending of the first film, and there's a really interesting opening, which actually builds up a half-decent tension and shows us a bit more about the mechanics of what's happening.

However, once we get into the ending, the entire thing takes a twist and goes from being nearly subtle into being more sudden, dumb and even attempts some kind of humor. What bothers me is the inconsistency - Eli Roth can't seem to deliver an entire horror film or an entire comedy from start to finish. The "pay-off" does not live up to the first hour of the film, it's just absurd, and a lot more disappointing than funny.

This edition of the film is pretty good, at the very least decent. There are features beyond the regular promotional segments, and it even goes beyond the film itself into the history of torture in general.

Hostel is not a complete failure, it just needs to stay grounded somehow, because it always digresses in different directions. November 8, 2008

Bottom line, Enjoyable flick, not as groundbreaking as the first entry.

Definately not as good as the first film, but still good film making. Roth was in an awkward position with this movie, since everyone allready knew the big plot twist, there was nothing left to shock the audience(other than bringing the blood, which he did)

Bottom line, Enjoyable flick, not as groundbreaking as the first entry.

Video and audio quality on the blu disc are nothing short of amazing. If you liked the movie, this should be a definite buy. September 8, 2008

Thinking Person's Horror

I enjoyed the first Hostel movie due to it's entertainment/shock value. It was actually pretty funny, but at the same time it had very ominous undertones. Hostel 2 however, is a much better movie in my opinion. Director/Writer Eli Roth really put a lot into this movie. This movie had smarter characters, smarter plot points, and it was executed better. Roth made the smartest decision of all when he decided to continue the storyline started in the first Hostel. Too many movies have attempted to do too much with sequals, instead of sticking to what the movie is supposed to be. Lets face it, everyone that watches Hostel 2 knows exactly what to expect. It wouldn't be Hostel if the characters don't end up being tortured by the Elite Hunting Club. Friday the 13th has to have Jason Voorhees chopping up horny camp counselors. The point is that Eli Roth was smart not to try to "one up" himself. He stuck to the story, and added to it. Yes we get torture in the movie. Yes that is no surprise. However we also get a few other aspects of the Hostel world. We get an Elite Hunting Club leader added to the story. We get an upgraded Elite Hunting Club security since the first protagonist took advantage of their weak security. We get a group of girls being lured this time. This means that promises of sex will not cut it. Eli Roth wrote these girls so well. I truly believed these characters, and what drove them to the ultimate goal. The best addition to Hostel 2 was the two American business men going on their maiden voyage to the factory of torture. These guys were so fun to watch. You could truly see what would drive guys like this to commit the ultimate sin. Also very believable characters. The acting was superb from the whole cast. The girls that do end up getting the nastiness in the factory make these scenes work. It was thier acting ability that made the scenes real. Eli Roth used so much symbolism throughout the movie to foreshadow what was coming. The thing I am most impressed with about Hostel 2 is the underlying themes of Capitalism. This movie shows that money makes the world go around and those who have the money have the power. Brilliant. July 12, 2008

Not as good as the first one

I just didn't think the storyline was as eerie as the first one. Maybe it's because there was more of a mystery surrounding the organization that was responsible for allowing these killings in the first Hostel. Now we get to actually see them do the bidding over these girls. It just looked really cheesy to me. The darkness and suspense that was present in the first film was no longer there. July 1, 2008

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