Review of horror film "Hostel III" (2011) *Graphic**spoilers*

The first was released in 2005 to mixed reviews, and the second in 2007 to even greater criticism. The third, released December 27th 2011 (too late for Christmas, unfortunately), was made direct-to-DVD and involved neither Tarantino nor Roth. It doesn't have much going for it, does it? No one of significant mention is participating, it is the third in an already fading franchise, and it's straight to DVD. So is it worth the download, let alone purchase? Let's find out!

So four friends head off to Vegas for a bachelor party (it gets less stereotypical soon enough) and are invited to a private party off the strip by two suspicious babes. The man who is getting married, I forget his name because none of the characters are too interesting, strays from his friends when they enter this abandoned factory only to be suddenly hooded from behind and strapped to a wheelchair. You think, "Is the action happening this early in the film?" but it turns out, almost unexpectedly, that a prank was pulled and he's taken to a party where strippers give him lap dances and alcohol is poured down his throat. My kind of torture!

Meanwhile, a rather geeky sort of creepy scrawny teen checks in to a hostel (Apparently, Vegas has them?) where a hot Ukraine chick is dressing, a throwback to the last two films, but her boyfriend is there with her. They say they are about to vacate the room and invite the supposedly helpless geek in for a drink. Perhaps wisely, the guy insists that they drink the beer he has instead. A turn of events occurs when the couple falls over unconscious and hooded men come in to transport the bodies. The geek wasn't so innocent, after all.

After the long night of partying is over, the men awaken to find that one of their pals is missing. Mike, who finds himself constrained to a cold steel chair, stares down a creepy doctor who is performing in front of a large audience of rich businessmen from all walks of life. Using computers, they predict what weapon will be used and what defense the victim will utilize, whether bribing his tormentor or pleading for his family. A nice addition to the franchise.As seen below, Mike's pleas are in vain, as his face is graphically removed.

So the Elite Hunting organization lures the remaining men to the building of torture because you can never have too much entertainment. When they are all apprehended, however, it turns out that one of them was in on the whole thing! Not a surprising plot twist, but it's a plot twist. The betrayer is jealous of the man who's about to marry the woman he loves, so he plans to seduce the widow after killing her husband. Before all that, the audience is treated to the spectacle of the gimp in the group being slowly and sporadically pierced by arrows by a costumed women. She's not ugly, to be honest, if you can get past the whole sadistic murdering innocent people thing.

In the final, climatic scene of the movie, the man who betrayed his friends is about to kill his engaged comrade until, for the sake of even greater entertainment, his bosses release the victim so the two can fight it out. In short, our hero escapes and calls the cops, forcing the party to end prematurely and the building to set for self destruction. While the guests escape, Mr. Judas hijacks a ride and closes the gate behind him, locking his ex-best friend inside to be fried.

The movie ends with the guy consoling the widowed wife, only for her to let him know that her husband lived as he grabs the evil fiend from behind and drags him to the basement. There he shoves some sort of grotesque gardening instrument in the man's face, killing him. I suppose the couple lives happily ever after?

There are more than a couple key flaws to address in this film. 1. How far does this organization's grasp reach? Not only are they in Europe, but Vegas? What about Asia? Much was left unexplained in the supposed conclusion of the franchise. 2. Isn't Elite Hunting going to come after the two newlyweds now they know about their operations. Or if Elite hunting doesn't know about them, will the couple seek to combat their evil deeds?

Other complaints don't come so much from the plot's flaws, but from the contents. The torture scenes, believe it or not, were somewhat mild compared to the first film's. This might not be so bad for the average viewer, but it's boring for the hardened horror fan. The mediocre budget of this film shown through all too well, not to mention unmemorable characters poorly acted.

Overall: 5/10

If you are a huge fan of the first two, you might view it out of obligation. If not, there are better films to be viewed both plot, acting, and torture-wise.