Review of Hostel: Part II (2007) by Darren C — 21 May 2012

In Hostel: Part II, three young Americans studying art in Rome set off for a weekend trip when they run into a beautiful model from one of their classes. Also on her way to an exotic destination, the gorgeous European invites the coeds to come along, assuring them they will be able to relax and rejuvenate. Will the girls find the oasis they are looking for? Or are they poised to become victims for hire, pawns in the fantasies of the sick and privileged from around the world who secretly travel here to savour more grisly pursuits? Eli Roth comes back with a sequel to the hit horror movie Hostel but Hostel: Part II is simply a waste of time. The story is pretty much the same as the first but this time round, it's three females. If you've seen Hostel then you'll have a strong sense of déjà vu as it's almost no different to the first. The characters lacked personality which was a problem in the first one and you didn't care for any of them, you didn't feel connected. The acting was pretty good and it was nice to see Heather Matarazzo but she was wasted in this movie as her character was mostly quiet and shy unlike her friends.

The special effects went all out for the gore in the torture scenes which is no surprise since that is what the first Hostel is famous for and it could make some viewers slightly uncomfortable. The scenes were poorly executed except for the torture scenes which were, just like the first, realistic. Also, the direction from Eli Roth in Hostel: Part II is weaker and the last thirty minutes of the movie felt rushed.

People say that horrors like Hostel are true horror masterpieces and I disagree. To me, a perfect horror movie would have to build up to a climax and not rely heavily on blood and gore for cheap thrills. Saw doesn't rely too heavily on gore, it has a story that builds up and the end of the movies always has some kind of trick or catch that you missed. Or there's the horrors that truly make you feel scared like The Shining or The Descent, both have a steady pace and they're both constantly creepy. Or a horror that is unpredictable and breaks the rules of horror movies. Unfortunately Hostel: Part II doesn't do any of the above and it definitely doesn't follow in its predecessor's footsteps. I didn't think Hostel really needed a sequel. There's nothing we haven't seen before in the first movie except for the torture scenes. I just hope there isn't a third one.