Mixed review

Rating: 3/10 (22 January 2006)

I knew I shouldn't have gone to see this movie. I saw it a week ago, and still have a hard time getting some images and sounds out of my head. It was the mention of Tarantino that was advertised on commercials that made me decide to go. I really didn't research the movie much, as it was a "date" movie, and I wasn't paying for the ticket.
If you want a good, old fashioned *very freaky and gory* horror movie, this is for you! Hostel has a vaguely interesting story-line, although I can't say that I'd put too much deep meaning into it. Also, the setting is intriguing. But, as one other review said; This is a *very* common general formula for a thriller/horror movie.
I did see quite a few holes in the plot which seemed very obvious to me, but my date didn't notice at all. To say the least, I don't think this is a meticulously made movie.
I prefer movies that are actually *directed by* Tarantino. I find that they have a sense of humor, even in their violence, and they are put together seamlessly. In contrast, I feel that Hostel is humorless, and has gaping holes in the plot.
To me, this was certainly not a great movie. At best, it's just another horror movie, and possibly this is even a film that somehow wakes our all-too-human tendencies toward sociopathic violence.
Although Hostel had my adrenaline flowing heavy, I think in the future, I will just take a good trail-run to get my adrenaline flowing in a pleasant, peaceful, and productive way. And I'll just wait for the next *real* Tarantino flick.