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Paradise Lost (Turistas)

4/10

Stars: Josh Duhamel, Melissa George, Olivia Wilde, Desmond Askew, Beau Garrett, Max Brown

Director: John Stockwell

Can't think the Brazilian Tourist Board will be too happy about this horror film, which depicts a jungle madman taking organs from hapless tourists with a little help from his friends.

We wait a while for anything to happen, as our backpackers are passengers on a coach that crashes on a steep jungle road. Those on board escape before the coach goes down the hillside, and our six (interchangeable) heroes wander down to a seemingly idyllic beachside resort, where drinks and food are available at the local bar.

A Swedish couple aver that it's a tiny paradise, but alas the drinks are drugged, and the backpackers awaken to find their money, passports and credit cards gone, along with the Swedes. The latter, carted off like suckling pigs on sticks, are killed when they attempt to escape, leaving our terrified sextet next in line, as the madman's nephew guides them through the jungle towards their grisly fate.

Bad colour, colourless characters and dark photography soon flush away what life the plot has, although a little suspense is raised with an underwater pursuit towards the end. It's like an updated version of an old Forties movie, with someone like George Zucco in the lead.

David Quinlan

USA 2006. UK Distributor: Lionsgate. Colour by FotoKem.
93 minutes. Widescreen. UK certificate: 18.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 1, Violence/Horror 2, Drugs 1, Swearing 2.

Review date: 30 May 2007