Post by Mr.HoRrOr on Jan 3, 2012 19:36:31 GMT -5
Plot:High stakes gambling takes on a sinister new meaning in this third chapter of the terrifying HOSTEL series. While attending a bachelor party in Las Vegas, four friends are enticed by two sexy escorts to join them at a private party way off the Strip. Once there, they are horrified to find themselves the subjects of a perverse game of torture, where members of the Elite Hunting Club are hosting the most sadistic show in town.
Cast:
Kip Pardue
Brian Hallisay
Sarah Habel
John Hensley
Skyler Stone
Chris Coy
Thomas Kretschmann
My Thoughts:This trainwreck is getting old!
Review:"Hostel:Part 3" is the latest installment of the "Hostel" horror flick franchise. A franchise which began back in 2005 with the torture/shocker "Hostel". And then concluded with the sequel, in 2007 "Hostel:Part II". Concluded as in "bye-bye cinematic release!" Now, the franchise has already been sent to "straight-to-dvd" heaven. Where the writers can decrease the budget somewhat. And have more creative freedom to work with. Or so they say.
Most people have seen "Hostel:Part 2" by now. And for a movie that bloody, the fact that it only got an "R" rating should prove that the MPAA didn't exactly "have it in" for this franchise. So going straight to DVD I think was a by-product of Eli Roth not wanting to direct anymore sequels. And without him, and that famous trailer line..."Directed By Eli Roth". To use to promote the next installment.
Why bother with a theatrical bow right? So now Scott Spiegel has taken over the reigns as director, and this time...the "hunting grounds" are Las Vegas. When two young guys and another friend of theirs, head to Vegas for a bachelor party of sorts. One of them is getting hitched. But his fiancee and soon to be wife, is under the impression that they're going to Florida. Pretty clever huh?
The opening scene of the movie, which acts both as a clever transition into the plot arc that Elite Hunting is now officially operating inside America. And also a reverse play on the Eastern European flavor of the first two movies...lets us know that it's "business as usual" at EH. Only this time, Las Vegas rules are being entered into the "hunt". This time, sickos hidden out of sight, are betting on how long, or how many puncture wounds...it will take a "victim" to die.
As opposed to the first two movies where it was all about the higesht bidder being allowed to torture some random person. The gist of part 3, is that there's a lot more twists this time around. Not everyone is who they seem to be. And a lot of what you see at the start is an illusion to how the film will ultimately conclude. However...a small bit of dialogue at the very beginning between the two male leads, can give away the ENTIRE BIG TWIST, if you pay very close attention!
So you're probably wondering...if "Hostel:Part 3" is as violent, impactful, and intense as the first two? Well, nope! The violence and gore is here. Most certainly. But the impact isn't there. It all feels rehearsed. Overdone, and desperate. Like a last second hail mary at the Superbowl. There's no pattern here. No intricate design like the first two movies. Which were super violent. But also had plot twists and turns to back up and excuse the violence.
The violence in the first two movies were truly to move along the story. But in "Hostel:Part 3". It feels all "cued up". It's like, ok...some dialogue. And then "oh, cue torture scene number 4!" And then, we're back to talking again. It really seemed like the scenes of torture and murder were kind of packed in here just so they could say this really is a "Hostel" movie. But that isn't to say the torture and killing scenes weren't well done. Well, the first two are. But the last one is just really bizarre and strange.
But there's also a twist of extreme and hyper cruelty to it also considering the physical condition of the last character tortured in the movie. As for Elite Hunting, we eventually find out that yes, there is a figurehead at the top of this Vegas branch of operations. And his origins tie into the previous two films from an international perspective. However, the movie overall is not a total waste of time despite some of its flaws. But it does feel very "indie"ish. And not in the ways parts 1 and 2 did.
This third movie really screams straight-to-dvd production. And that hurts it a bit. But at the same time, the story works nicely enough to contain the movie as decent followup-fodder for its 90 minute duration. The finale however really captures the "Hostel" spirit. While the twist is semi-lame. And the motive of one character for all of this is even more pathetic (yet also predictable)...the movies final scene is a nice homage to "Hostel:Part II"s conclusion and ultimate final scene.
In the elements of black humor, twisted humor, and a very violent and bloody revenge type deal. So it was nice to see they got that part right. And it's not like these films ever had major character development from the get go. So the fact that part 3 develops about two characters somewhat nicely, leaving everyone else as fodder and one-dimensional...isn't too much of a bother.
In the end, if you need a fix for your "Hostel" jones, or have just been salivating ever since the third movie was first announced. You might wanna check out "Hostel:Part III". However, if "Hostel:Part II" was enough for you. Or you're kind of sick of this franchise two films in. Might wanna rent something else this weekend.
Positives:The movies opening scene is pretty clever. Cool ending, and the first two torture-kill scenes are well done.
Negatives:The motives for the eventually revealed bad guys and quite a stretch to believe. Also, the torture-kill sequences are not exactly well-fitted into the movies overall scheme of things. And feel forced at times.
Overall:Two and a half stars out of four.