Q Tarantino's Sleaze And Gore Romp Masterpiece a la Central Europe

Rating: 6/10 (31 March 2006)

It must have been a curiosity  related to my Slovakian motherland which prompted me to screen "Hostel" in cinema after Slovakia  the country in the heart of Europe popped up in previews and reviews.
The horror seemed to be executed quite well when considering "a fragmented structure and explicit violence" (Courtesy of MS Encarta ®) are the hallmarks of the master director: Quentin Tarantino.
I don't think the movie's can be branded an A movie or place itself among Top 10 though. Although the storyline is that of credible real life situation with exception of upbeat action-hero-up-for-justice style ending, it is the amount of violence and gore which all of a sudden bursts out in 2nd half of the movie; the very shocking & sickly images that drove away a few fellow cinema-goers.
While "Hostel" is not for the faint-hearted, people who liked "Wrong Turn", "Saw" or "Creep" and similarly creepy, flicks packed with human butchery will surely find it quite enjoyable. Paradox as it is, consider yourself lucky to find this sort of savagery confined only to silver-screen aimed to amuse in a weird way unlike real life victims e.g. somewhere in bagdad where psychopaths roam freele without inhibitions.
And perhaps this might be a reminder for young travellers: if something looks too good to be true, it most probably is. Feel safe to visit Slovakia or Czech republic  I insist on these places to be as safe and civilised nowadays as Spain, Britain or US. Few distortions in the local character can be found. Featured pop music originates in before year of 1990 and based on this fact you would be hard pressed to find such relic 50's style TV sets even in early 80's Czechoslovakia. Uniforms with the Slovak signs which the police force flashed several times appeared for the 1st time aftermath 1993, but that would mean not such communist models of cars only like those depicted in the movie. My judgement clearly says that the location for the train scenes and storyline in Slovakia movie itself was solely shot in Czech Republic even though the countries shared common past and places may look alike.
Well, this movie might be a refreshing addition to your horror collection once you've waited long (or rather short) enough to buy it cheaply in sales.