I myself have been to a few countries around the world. I also plan on visiting a great deal more. However, I will not be frequenting any hostels of any kind nor will I be bussing through South America. I’m sure there are some fine hostel establishments in Europe and I’m confident there are some quaint villages in Brazil. I’m an optimist. Although, after seeing Hostel and eventually Turistas, I’m a little afraid of being butchered to bits for the enjoyment of others. Maybe it’s just me.

The film starts off in a bus. One of those rinky-dink buses that’ll take you through the dirt roads of the Amazon, spanning a couple hundred miles, for just three bucks and a cigarette. It’s mostly full of locals and a few nature-loving tourists who think an over-crowded beach and a posh hotel is not a real vacation. Their attempt at the scenic route turns sour when they find themselves stranded on the side of an unmarked road in the middle of nowhere after a mishap with the bus. The group of young tourists find themselves impatient (as they often do) and decides to walk to the nearest town instead of waiting hours for another ride. They come upon a secluded beach and bar and find a fun way to pass the time with swimming and drinking before they find another ride to finish their vacation. Little do they know that their sudden good luck will have fatal consequences when they begin to trust the locals a little more than they should.

This movie is unexpectedly good. I saw the trailers for it while it was in the theatres, but I never felt the urge to see it. It appeared to me as another gory, skin flick that was created for the enjoyment of teenagers. I have to admit I was mistaken. Turistas has everything a good scary movie should have. There’s a cast of beautiful young men and women who you’ve seen in other movies, but never had a starring role. There’s a realistic plot that involves a plausible danger that will worry you if you’re in a similar situation. There’s a tasteful amount of nudity and gore that won’t scare the older crowd away and still attract younger (but over seventeen) crowd. Finally, there’s a chase scene that will make you hold your breath minutes at a time, asthma or no asthma. Very enjoyable. Very entertaining.

The things that I or anyone else enjoys may not be as entertaining to the Department Of Tourism in Brazil and the neighboring South American countries. Turistas could possible keep visitor from leaving their beachside resort, if they even make the trip to their country. Sure, the movie is fiction and subsequently not an accurate reflection of the popular vacation spot, but my brain says, “Don’t be so sure.” This film will never be seen as an in-flight movie nor will it be featured on The Travel Channel, but it should make a guest appearance in your living room.

Popularity: 1% [?]