Hostel - Part II on DVD (2007)

JediSi , 18/08/2007

I was absolutely wowwed when I saw the first one, Saw with a proper story and couldn't wait for this emerge in cinemas. I liked this one better than the first as it (for me) had quite a comical side and particularly found the scene of Axelle's fate highly amusing. The film seemlessly clipped in with the first and didn't take long to get gory.

However, this didn't last, and the pace quickly slowed (a bit of a quick fix for Hostel 1 fans). The rate of the movie was disappointingly slow to begin with and after a while a was wondering when it was actually going to get to the nitty gritty.

Nevertheless, what follows made it all well worth the wait. I loved this film so much I had to return to the cinema with friends, and the 'build-up' was necessary and my opinion changed and it's probably made my all-time top 10. Some very convincing acting from all involved make this truly believable (you never know!!).

I think this film is definitely better second time round. Nostrovia!

  101 out of 116 people found this review helpful

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A customer from Wolverhampton, UK , 04/11/2007

Three 'teenage' art students (played by middle-aged, screachy-voiced anorexics), for no reason that makes sense, find themselves staying at an Icelandic spa deep in the Slovakian countryside. Then there's lots of slashing and murdering and stuff. The End.

Given that this is an exploitation movie, the really annoying thing is the complete lack of an appropriate level of nudity. If you're going to show explicit images of people having their heads cut off, is it too much to ask that we get to see them naked first?

There's one scene where the lead actress gets out of the volcanic pool deep in the Slovakian countryside and she's like running away from the evil henchmen (she's not moving too quickly, but that's okay; she's not as young as she was and she's probably very hungry) and she's wearing this huge towelling robe. In fact, in hindsight, it might not have even been her at all. It might have been some hairy-arsed Slovakian stand-in. Cheerleaders show more skin than this. It's just not good enough. (Very Important Note: Heather Mattarazzo, who plays the geeky friend, is shown sort of upside down and half-naked; But she's really ugly and a lesbian. So it's really more of a negative.)

I also watched the extra features in case there was any nudity in that. And there isn't. But the director's commentary does explain why Jedi (the Slovakian receptionist dude) is in the movie. According to Eli Roth, he's back because in the first film no one could tell whether he was good or bad. Having watched this film, I still can't tell whether he's good or bad. Or happy or sad. Or angry or pleased. Because he can't f*cking act. None of the Slovakians can. They are the worst actors ever in the enitre history of film. And there are too many of them in this movie.

Overall, Eli Roth is a great filmmaker. I just hope that he manages to incoprate more explicit nudity into the - for want of a better word - 'plot' of his next movie.

  37 out of 42 people found this review helpful

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JAMIOUSE from PILMOOR, YORK [Highly rated reviewer] , 23/10/2007

If you didn't like Hostel in the slightest then you will certainly not like Hostel Part 2. That said it is a much better and rounded film than the first, the charcters are engaging and likeable for a start. The gore is disgusting and gushing, the sexuality is still there but seems to have grown up. Gone are the endless topless and female nude scenes! Instead with Hostel Part 2 we get a rather well executed conclusion to the first films survivor, some new victims and how the Elite Hunting Club actually works.

Hostel Part 2 is stylish, sick, gruesome, sexy and humourous. Something that was missing from the first film.

If you don't like modern horror films or gore don't watch it. If you do, enjoy!

  26 out of 26 people found this review helpful

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A customer from Cardiff, Wales , 11/07/2007

The hype for the first film gave me kiddie shakes, however after watching the film i was greatly dissapointed. I like Roth though so wanted to give Hostel 2 a fair shot.

My main issue with the first film was its humor, it just ruined the tone of the film and really seemed misplaced. The gore and violence was nothing spectacular but probably a big thing for horror film tourists or newbies to the genre. The story wasnt really satisfying merely feeling like a device to show some torture. Which left nothing else really to take away from the film.

With Part 2 Roth seems to have realised this and produced a film with a really quite involving story and some interesting tie-in's to the first film. The torture scenes are on par with the first film and Roth tries to show the other side of the torture!

It has less comedy which is a definate plus and ends the story quite well. For the reviewers of this film that have complained its not gory or graphic enough - the film is a study of how depraved a human can possibly be and YOU wanting more gore shows you that you're not too far away from the torturers in this film! Its kinda the point he's trying to make, more so in Part 2 with it being more story based.

Say what you want this is mainstream horror and if you want to see something truely disturbing and graphic you wont find it in the mainstream. If you want try Cannibal Holocaust/Ferox for a real feeling of realism (ok they are dated and dubbed but are still greats of the genre).

I would also point you in the direction of August Undergrounds Mordum. Seriously though only watch this if you want to severly push your comfort zone! This is renowned as the most graphic and disturbing film out there. Its not on release in this country and not widely distributed in its own country America. That should tell you what you're in for with Mordum. Roth has obviously seen this film with some of its scenes having influence over the Hostel films.

You cant try to make a mainstream film and tag it as the sickest film out there when the mainstream isnt going to get anywhere near it! Think Roth realised this and put in quite an intersting story in this one! A much smoother ride than Hostel part 1's mishmash of tone.

  25 out of 26 people found this review helpful

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A customer from Ripon , 21/08/2008

i had the Pillow over my eyes for a vast period of the film because its realistic gore to the extreme!! the bits i watched (and listened to) where really good. a lot lot lot more extreme than the first one!

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

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bens1987 from Warrington , 26/08/2008

I was told about this film not to bother with the first one as this one is miles better, making it a waste of time to watch the first.... Well i must say so is this one. it was ur typical dumb American teens who think they know best and get into trouble. Predictable, Poor Plot, Not as ''Gorey'' as i antisipated. Rather over rated film. But if you have nothing better to do, then give it a go if you wish

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