Stars: Jay Hernandez, Roger Bart, Lauren German, Bijou Phillips, Heather Matarazzo, Richard Burgi, Milan Knazko, Ruggero Deodato, Edwige Fenech, Luc Merenda

Director: Eli Roth

Summary: American backpackers Beth, Whitney, and Lorna are travelling around Europe when they meet Axelle, a gorgeous woman who persuades them to follow her to a rejuvenating spa in Slovakia. However, the spa/hostel in question has some nasty surprises in store for the trio.

With only one film under his belt and the endorsement of Quentin Tarantino, Eli Roth became a virtual horror brand with HOSTEL (2005), a yarn about a group of thrill-seeking American college dudes backpacking through Europe, only to be seduced into a Slovakian money-for-torture ring where they became the prey. The sequel begins right where that film left off, filling us in on the whereabouts of lone survivor Paxton (Jay Hernandez)---but before long, we see that gender roles are reversed and we are traveling with sensible Beth (Lauren German), hedonistic Whitney (Bijou Phillips), and virginal Lorna (Heather Matarazzo). After tussling with a gaggle of shifty men on a train, they meet Axelle (Vera Jordanova), a gorgeous woman who persuades them to follow her to a rejuvenating spa in Slovakia. As the trio checks into the same infamous hostel, Roth shows us the inner workings of the previously mysterious torture club. Once the girls are put up on the auction block, online bidding begins among the clubs members---who are revealed to be prominent international businesspeople. After Beth and Whitney are won by type-A American corporate jerk Todd (Richard Burgi), who believes that killing someone will give him power, and his reluctant associate, Stuart (Roger Bart), the film shifts to the preparations for their inaugural slayings within the bloody walls of the warehouse. For those who embraced HOSTEL's abrupt tonal shifts and very realistic gore, Roth serves up amplified doses of both in his follow-up. Astute horror fans will find a few amusing in-jokes among the carnage, but beware---things get incredibly strong, and Roth's charnel house chic intends to offend.

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The inevitable sequel to one of the decade’s most intriguing and well-made horror films, Hostel Part II, as the title implies, picks up pretty much where the last film left off. And it doesn’t take too long for the sequel to find the same groove that earned its predecessor so much attention.

The setting is once again an underground club, where people bid for the right to torture residents at the hostel of the title. Hostel Part II, however, lets us see events from the other perspective too, as we meet the wealthy businessmen who are availing themselves of the club’s services. It’s a logical dynamic for the movie, and it does bring a fresh perspective to a film that does eventually settle down to a cavalcade of gore and shock.

As a director, Eli Roth has clearly improved since last time around, even if this time he too often succumbs to the temptation to show rather than imply, and Hostel Part II as a result feels a little less fresh and more uncomfortable than its predecessor. Yet it’s most certainly an unsettling piece of cinema, and one likely to find favour with Roth’s increasing fanbase.

A word of warning, though. Hostel Part II isn’t shy about pulling its punches, and it very much justifies its 18 certificate. It’s also a cut above many of its modern day contemporaries in the genre, even though it fails to measure up to part one. --Jon Foster

Aspect Ratio:	16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Commentary with Eli Roth, Quentin Tarantino and Gabe Roth, Commentary with Eli Roth, Commentary with Eli Roth, Richard Burgi, Lauren German and Vera Lordanova, Behind the scenes featurettes, Special effects featurette, Set design featurette, Blood and Guts bloo
Year:	2007
Release Date:	October 22, 2007
Runtime:	90 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	C D R 45477
Keywords:	English, General, Horror, Occult, Hostel
Genre:	Horror/Occult