A year and a half ago, the Weinsteins learned a lesson about releasing a horror movie (“Wolf Creek”) at Christmas time – don’t do it. Apparently Fox Atomic wasn’t aware of this goof, as they released “Turistas” at the head of our last Christmas season. (To Fox Atomic’s credit, the Weinsteins didn’t learn their lesson either, as they released the stinker “Black Christmas” on Christmas Day.)

Although the movie was wildly inappropriate for the season, I put that aside to watch the film with a clean eye. The movie is about a group of beautiful back-packers who are vacationing in Brazil. After surviving a bus crash in the middle of nowhere, they stumble upon a gorgeous beach where the party doesn’t seem to end.

But the party does end, and it ends badly. The locals have drugged the tourists and taken their money. However, there’s even worse things in store for the “turistas” as they try to get back to civilization. For many of them, it ends messy, in the middle of a sociopathic doctor in charge of a human organ trafficking ring.

After seeing this film, I heard more than one critic say this was nothing more than “Hostel” in the jungle. On the surface, they’re correct, although I will defend writer/director Jonathon Stockwell on this one. He was in the middle of production when he found out about “Hostel.” Sadly, while both movies are about the same, quality-wise, the American public seemed to go for the more gory and shocking Eli Roth film.

While I can appreciate shock as much as the next guy (and arguably more than the next guy, for that matter), I did find Stockwell’s handling of “Turistas” to be better than “Hostel.” Stockwell isn’t trying to be shocking with this film. Sure, there are shocking moments, and the live operation scene is a bit hard to watch, but Stockwell has made something more than just a splatter film.

With movies like “Hostel” and the “Saw” flicks becoming the standard for new American horror, it’s harder to be original. I give Stockwell credit for not sensationalizing the gore and violence. “Turistas” isn’t the strongest horror film to come out of Hollywood lately, but it’s not the worst, either.

Of course, the chauvinist pig in me also appreciates Stockwell’s decision to have the pretty, young female cast running around in bikinis for most of the film. Like his other films, there’s a lot to choose from in the eye candy department. Being a fan of “Alias,” I liked watching Melissa George in her skimpy clothes, and newcomers Olivia Wilde and Beau Garrett are nothing to sneeze at either.

Don’t get me wrong. There’s plenty for the ladies as well, with “Las Vegas” heartthrob Josh Duhamel running around without his shirt for most of the film. But all the sexy bods aside, “Turistas” might be better watched on DVD for the special features alone.

The movie comes with a commentary track featuring Stockwell with his producer Kent Kubena. There’s also some deleted scenes and a revealing featurette on make-up effects.

If you’re gonna buy the DVD, go for the unrated version. It’s not that much different from the theatrical cut, but why skimp on the sex and gore? That’s part of the reason why you’re watching a horror flick, anyway, right?



Specifications: Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound. Widescreen (2.35:1). Spanish language track. French and Spanish subtitles. English language subtitles for the hearing impaired.