one messed up movie, but it's still pretty cool

Rating: 7/10 (27 June 2006)

First, I need to say that 'Hostel' is a film that only men will like. I'm pretty sure I'm right on this. There are more naked women in this film than I thought existed. There is more gore and blood than a lot of other films. In other words, 2 things: any typical guy will like it, and if you're looking for sharp character development and an unpredictable story, don't expect it from Eli Roth in this one. Nevertheless, it is entertaining and short enough to make it watchable and likable.
Paxton (Jay Hernandez) and Josh (Derek Richardson) have met up with an Icelandic man named Oli, and have heard of a hostel in Slovakia that is told to satisfy their wildest, wettest, and most perverted dreams ever. They get there, and the place does not disappoint, but they soon figure out that this hostel is not what it seems, and that they are becoming part of a sinister plot involving an infamous torture museum.
I must say that Eli Roth had the necessary materials, but like Cabin Fever before it, he doesn't utilize it enough. Also like Cabin Fever, the film is predictable and very one sided. There isn't a lot of character development or realism to a story said to be inspired by real events. What Roth's strength is that he realizes that he's made a few goofs here and there, and provides all the blood and cool gore scenes that you'd come to expect from someone Quentin Tarantino has thrown his support behind. Roth makes up for it all with some really shocking torture methods, and two very evil villains, one who doesn't talk much. Roth manages to make the film very entertaining, even though it gets off to a really slow start. The acting isn't that bad, but I don't think Hernandez or Richardson should bank on this movie to make them credible actors. After seeing Hernandez in a couple more films, I must say his future is very bright in this business. Don't miss him in World Trade Center.
7/10 --spy