Hostel Review

Initial Review by Walter B.:
Young director Eli Roth’s first film, Cabin Fever, was a film with an indecisive complex. It couldn’t make up its mind on whether or not it was a straight and simple horror film or a balls-out, over-the-top horror comedy. Despite its string of flaws, the film did stand as a demonstration to Roth’s love for the genre. It showed that the guy has got the right ideas and, after some polishing and seasoning, could go on to become one of the premiere horror directors of the future. With the release of his second film, Hostel, we can see if Roth learned from his mistakes.

Set in Eastern Europe, Hostel focuses on two young American backpackers, Paxton and Josh (Jay Hernandez and Derek Richardson), who, along with their Icelandic friend Oli (Eythor Gudjonsson), travel to a Slovakian city that can only be described as a “hedonistic utopia”. Too distracted by the sleek sexuality of the women they meet, the three find themselves in a deadly situation, a merciless realm of Hell that they may never escape. Torture!! Chainsaws!!! Maniacal Slavic children who will beat you with lead pipes if you don’t give them candy!!! This is the mayhem that is Hostel.

Unlike the sloppy narrative direction in Cabin Fever, Hostel is rather linear and simplistic. However, there is a change of tone halfway through the film. The first part deals with introducing the characters and explaining how they find themselves in the situation. While we get to know the “soon to be” victims and get our fair share of gratuitous sex and nudity, the pace tends to drag a bit. When the film unveils its much darker and brutal side, the pace then speeds up…perhaps a bit too fast. It began to show promise but most of the film is wasted on boobies (Not that I have a problem with that. The story development just needed more substance).

When I say the film has a dark and brutal side, I’m not kidding! Hostel contains some of the most sadistic and wince-inducing torture scenes that have ever been shown in a movie theater. Roth is no slouch when it comes to his horror; he has taken cues from such horror legends like Lucio Fulci and Wes Craven. On top of that, he’s got F/X guru Greg Nicotero to supply the gore and boy does he deliver!! With that, I warn you. The torture scenes in Hostel are definitely not for those with weak stomachs and weak wills.

Unfortunately, the two main protagonists are completely unlikable. Hernandez comes off as obnoxious and cocky, belting out frat boy persona with lines like “I hope bestiality is legal in Amsterdam because that chick is a hog!” Richardson’s character is the polar opposite, but all he does mainly is whine and pout. I found it difficult to sympathize for the characters and hope for their survival. Why would I want to cheer on two people who had the characteristics of the people I detested throughout high school and college? After numerous counts of giving swirlies, threatening bookworms, and acting like all-around jackasses, these guys were just getting what they had coming to them. Karma can be a bitch sometimes I tell ya!

So has Eli Roth grown and matured since Cabin Fever? I would have to say yes. He has smoothed out some of the wrinkles found in his previous film, such as pointless and ridiculous scenes that contribute absolutely nothing to the film (need I explain the “Pancakes” scene?) and a non-stop flip-flop of genre elements. He may not have found his true niche and feel as a horror director yet, but he’s getting there. As many know, Quentin Tarantino served as executive producer for this film. Which means that Roth is in the presence of good company. With proper guidance, I’m quite sure that Roth will eventually deliver a horror masterpiece! He’s got the right ideas but its just not his time yet. He has to learn that the most successful horror films rely on frightful elements and capturing narrative. Gore does nothing more than provide shock value.

In conclusion, Hostel is a film that is designated to disturb. Its torture scenes are guaranteed to cause some people to get rather upset. Gore hounds will have a field day with this one! However, its tedious first half and its unlikable characters definitely stick out as hurtful flaws. On top of that, there are scenes where the dark humor definitely hurts the fright factor, making the film less scary that it would seem. With that, I would recommend Hostel for a Saturday afternoon matinee.

Follow up by David B.:
When a couple of guys decided to party across Europe, they find themselves jumping from hostel to hostel. They have the time of their lives until they find themselves in the hostel from hell.

Hmm...simple story line, attractive woman with an abundance of nudity, gore, goons, evil twisted people, and convenient plot twists. Yes sir, check your brain at the door. This is a slasher movie at its best. If you’re a fan of sex and violence for pure entertainment, then look no further. This movie has everything a slasher film needs! (Edit: I made the mistake of seeing this with someone in the medical profession; they spent the entire time mocking the audience and saying, “That isn\'t how it would look in real life.”)

Overall, the acting was very good. Hot woman pranced around the screen in a bouncy fashion. The foreigners looked out of place. Villains lacked all moral fiber. The quality of the acting was a major surprise. It was not bad for a cast of no names. For many of them, this was their first major film. What a way to start a career.

The movie itself is broken into two separate parts with a distinct dividing line. The first part is heaven. Preteen males will be jumping for joy; while the rest of us get hit for turning slack jawed. It almost looks like a Skinemax movie! But when heaven reaches its climax, all hell breaks loose. We get to see the sick and twisted side of humanity: where life has a price list. Torture becomes a sport and these sickos pay huge sums of money to play. When the games begin, you will know by the huge audience gasp.
The special effects were topnotch. The audience was screaming, moaning, groaning, and sometimes laughing. Even if the gore wasn\'t a hundred percent medically accurate, who cares? It was fun to watch. The blood and gore is one of the main reasons to see the movie! All high quality, extremely graphic, and painful to watch.

The sound effects out do the visuals though. Don\'t read this wrong, there is plenty to get squeamish about with just the visuals. However, the sound effects add so much more. When the camera pulls away, the film really shines. The audience is forced to imagine the torture. This allows people to have a very individual experience, and it all depends on how graphic their own imagination is. The sound and cutaway shots play a major part in the audience’s \"mental anguish.” A lot of what was not seen is better than what was graphically portrayed.

This is everything a slasher film should be: great, mindless, violent entertainment. Sure, the storyline and violence have been done before. That doesn\'t mean it’s not fun to see again? If you are a fan of slasher flicks, sit back and enjoy this guilty pleasure. If not, then run. Don\'t even waste your time thinking about it.

As a side note: This film holds the current record for most languages spoken in an American film without subtitles. Dutch, Italian, Russian, Slovak, English, Czech, German, Icelandic, Japanese.

"Hostel" opens January 6, 2006 and is rated R. Horror. Written and directed by Eli Roth. Starring Jay Hernandez, Derek Richardson, Eythor Gudjonsson, Barbara Nedeljakova, Jana Kaderabko.