Hostel 2, awesome? First review!

From IESB.net, The original “Hostel” blew my ass out the back of the theatre with its engaging story, and extreme brutal horror. I was stoked beyond all belief when I heard the writer/director Eli Roth was making a sequel! I was fortunate enough, last night, to see the first-ever showing of Hostel II with Roth in SF. All I can say is HOLY SHIT… II is even better than the first!!! This movie just f-ing ruled!!!

Much like the first movie, we have the same set-up: American backpackers traveling through Europe are duped into staying at an Eastern European hostel, which is really a front for an organization that will kidnap them and let someone torture and kill them. There are 2 big differences here. For one, we have women now (German, Phillips, Matarazzo) as our victims, and Two- we actually get to follow two of the men who pay to do these acts – from the bidding process, to check-in, all the way to the bloody, bloody end. These two changes really make this movie much more visceral, and ultimately more entertaining!

Roth writes and directs this film with such confidence and skill that, even though many of the story devices and plot points are reused from the first film (the village setting up the victims for the kill), it all feels fresh. The pacing here has also improved! There really is not a single dull moment in the entire film! Also, the script is much more intricate- whereas in the first Hostel things were more linear, and you could pretty much tell who was who and what was going to happen next, Hostel II offers a lot more in the way of twists and surprises. All of this makes for a much better film!

What is really the core of this movie’s success are the killers (Richard Burgi and Roger Bart –Desperate Housewives), rich men who have won the bid to come to Slovakia and torture/kill our heroines. Both actors just nail these men and bring real, layered, identifiable characters to the screen. The connection you have with these 2 men make the last half of the movie so much more horrifying and exciting than even the first “Hostel” because you know both killer and victim- seriously, that “F”s with you!! On top of that, these two don’t necessarily do what you think they would when it comes down to it, making the final showdown a non-stop twist and turn rollercoaster that keeps you on the edge of your seat, if not peeing yourself a little!

This movie just fires on all cylinders! An extremely well-crafted, and well executed thriller! But we all know what most of you are going to see Hostel II for- admit it… it’s not the story, or the acting…

So let’s break down what’s really important here!

T&A: As par for the course, this movie has full frontal nudity within the first 2 minutes! (Ladies, there’s a dude in that scene too!) After that, there is some hooker action (no nudity), and a naked Chick on Chick that is, well… I’ll let you see that one for yourself!

GORE: Uh… HOLY CRAP this movie is gory! I am absolutely STUNNED this movie got away with an “R” rating!! I don’t want to spoil it for you here, but I will say that, although there aren’t as many gory scenes as in the first one, when they do happen, it is AWESOME!!! There is some of the sickest shit ever committed to film and there’s none of that wussy-ass “1 second flash and cut away” BS, oh-no!… They hold the camera on it for a while and let you really take in and enjoy the chunky goodnees!!! (PLEASE NOTE: Ladies- yes, the victims this go-around are women, and some nasty stuff happens to them- don’t get me wrong… but stick around- you’ll get your revenge in the end!)

OVERALL CREEPINESS: Given the whole “follow the killers for half the movie” angle in Hostel II, I have to say it is pretty damn creepy. These are real guys you probably know, they probably do your taxes. You know them but ultimately have no idea what they are capable of… damn creepy! (I think my father-in-law would probably do that shit). Add to that the Creepy Village where everybody is in on the scheme (that has always freaked me out.. it’s why I don’t stay in small towns!), and, of course, our favorite gang of mini-miscreants is back- the bubble gum gang. All that makes this one creepy-icky SOB!

Easily the best horror movie in years! Tops the original and takes it to a whole new terrifying level!!! This movie is a MUST SEE for any self-respecting gore hound!!!