Review of Hostel: Part II (2007) by Mikey B — 10 Feb 2012

* out of ****.

"Hostel: Part II" is the answer to the question of what's wrong with the horror genre as of late. In a nearly artless 95 minutes of feminine-exclusive exploitation; director Eli Roth does nothing more than demonstrate that he is skilled in the process of staging a kill scene. I've read up on Roth and I'm an admirer of both his persona as a human being (his activism with the PETA is nice) and as a filmmaker. I enjoyed "Cabin Fever" and to an extent, the first "Hostel"; but here, he's only hurting himself. For 95 minutes, we get to watch as Roth indulges in the exploitation of violence against women; it wouldn't be surprising if he enjoyed himself in the making of this sick, insultingly brainless genre offering.

Sometimes, the film isn't shocking; but at the same time, there are moments that cross the line; and at that, I draw a considerably tame one. I can appreciate what people categorize as "extreme horror films", but they've got to have some substance, and that's something that "Hostel: Part II" lacks nigh completely. It's the kind of genre bastardization that was most likely conceived from the requests and cries of horror fanatics everywhere; we want something fearless and bold. Roth intends to give us just that.

The only way to expand on the basic premise of "Hostel" - which concerned a murder-for-profit business exclusive to Slovakia - is to focus on an entirely different, new group of people. Instead of three men; there are three women, and then another - native to the region - who joins and leads them to the hostel from the first movie. By night; they tour the local festivities and try to have a good time, but it is that night on which the horror that lurks in the shadows of the area shall reveal itself.

Another twist to the story is a thoroughly satirical tone; but only when specific characters are around. In this case, there are two clients who come from America to do business with the underground Slovakian killers; their names are Stuart (Roger Bart) and Todd (Richard Burgi). Roth intends for their on-screen presence to be funny because they are inexperienced in the trade of murder; too bad I didn't laugh. I've got a sick sense of humor; but I guess it's not sick enough.

The characters are stupid. We don't care about any one of them. There's one girl in the group by the name of Lorna ("Welcome to the Dollhouse" starlet Heather Matarazzo) who provides the film with some much-needed comic relief that, for the most part, actually works; even if it never comes close to saving this sorry film's skin. I might have cared about the movie had anyone else been this entertaining; but no, they're absolutely paper-thin. To make matters worse, Roth provides yet another racist, unintelligent view on Slovakia, the people, and their culture. It's as if he's yet to even meet a member of the nation.

Alas, "Hostel: Part II" is not unwatchable because it is excessive and sadistic (and it is); but rather because it's just so darn bad. Knowing the horror aspect of the story, we go in knowing just a tad too much; and any suspense deteriorates before it even makes an attempt to get going. On top of that, the lighting is pretty bad throughout; with only Roth's stylistic cinematography and impressive gore effects lending a helping hand. I was able to take the film for the most part, although I was still a bit unwise to approach the film. I was warned of graphic castration (which was unexpectedly shown completely on-screen) and women taking a circular saw to the face; although I was unaware of how intensely these two things (and others) were going to be depicted. In terms of being sick, depraved, and irredeemable; this is certainly a big step up from the original film.

There was one scene that I really liked. One scene where Roth displayed some welcome hints of pure artistry in an otherwise wannabe-artsy piece of exploitative shit. The scene which I speak of is the one in which "Cannibal Holocaust" director Ruggero Deodato makes an appearance as a cannibal who presumably feeds off the scraps of the torture victims as well as fresh meet that he gets ahold of himself. Given the filmmaker's background as well as his on-screen actions; there's a certain artistry to the scene that I just wish the entire film had achieved. Sadly, this isn't the case; and this horror sequel is left bleeding to death, with only the most faithful and easily pleased genre fans cleaning up the big old mess of liquid red.