Review of Turistas (2006) by Jamez B — 23 Apr 2009
Urban myths = horrible, scary, brilliant.
Not one of those three words can similarly be applied to Paradise Lost, sadly.
It starts promisingly enough, with an impressive bus crash in the middle of nowhere, Brazil. The American, English and Aussie tourists team up and head to a nearby bar. It all seems too good to be true: a beautiful beach, free flowing booze served by gorgeous friendly locals. What could go wrong? Surely a crazy with surgical experience and most of the Brazilian cast under his orders isn't going to somehow drug these fine specimens, cut them open and steal their organs?
Well actually yes, that is exactly what is going to happen.
For the first half the feeling of escalating panic and helplessness is conveyed well. What starts as an 'Oh no we've been robbed' situation soon becomes much worse as one of the group accidentally injures a local boy, incurring the wrath of the locals and forcing the backpackers to flee. When they do eventually find shelter, it is in the house of the aforementioned kook.
Once here however, a lot of the suspense disappears into the surrounding jungle. At this point things should be ratcheted up, I should be squirming and chanting 'Get out, get out - RUN!' at the screen. I wasn't though, in fact I was a bit bored. The boredom only increased when badly lit action scenes started appearing. With no idea who is tied up, free, hero or villain in the murk onscreen, it was going to take some kind of special dissection scene to get my interest at all piqued again.
Hmm! Director John Stockwell commented on the fact that this is the scene people will leave the theatres talking about. Yes John, because that is the only decent thing about this movie!
Having been released after Hostel I imagine it was something of a piggyback on the whole 'torture porn' phenomenon, but it's really not worth it. It's saying something that I - not a huge fan of Hostel in the first place - would rather sit and watch that film three times over than have to see this again.
This review of Turistas (2006) was written by Jamez B on 23 Apr 2009.
Turistas has generally received mixed reviews.
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