The Host (2006)

Okay so it's not actually Stephanie Meyers' adaptation (That will come...............), but the South Korean film from 2006. This was originally supposed to be an April Fool's posting, but a few problems meant that I was unable to do so.

Anyway, the film first starts in the year 2000, where Hershel Green (Scott Wilson)  has become a pathologist and orders his assistant to dump bottles of formaldehyde down the sink into the Han River. Apparently this actually happened, with the American military saying that the toxic chemical was diluted with water. Probably the water in the Han River. Moving on. Six years later a mutated fish emerges from the river, kidnapping Hyun-seo (Go Ah-sung). Her father, Park Gang-du (Song Kang-ho) and his family go looking for her, but are being hunted by the American lead operation who want to kill the creature using any means necessary.


I have to give the South Korean's credit, they can mash together several genres very well. We have sci-fi, horror, drama, thriller, a dash of comedy and some family matters as well. The problem though, while most of the different aspects are well done, the comedy bits, like 'Tidal Wave', it feels out of place a little. It can still be funny and it doesn't really distract you from the story, it just feels a bit off at times as well.

The plot is good though, I can't say it isn't. You could say it's your standard monster movie plot, and it is. But focusing more on the characters instead of the monster added a really good feel to the film. Oh, the creature plays a big part in it, don't get me wrong, in fact I'll come back to it, it's just the fact that the film isn't really about the creature. It's more about the indifference of people, the care people have for one another, it's about survival, fighting against the odds, AND fighting a monster.

There's plenty of character development, even if some of it does just pop the Hell out of nowhere for that scene. We feel for these characters, we see that, while they probably don't have the best relationship, they care for one another. The South Korean government and officials though are more portrayed as incompetent and corrupt puppets of an evil American parasite using the country as a host. Yes you can view the title of the film like that (Or it might have something to do with the supposed virus that's using the creature as a host). Maybe this is why North Korea loves this film so much. It represents a view of the Americans that some South Koreans have.

Now, the creature itself. It is a really good monster. Oh it still looks like a fake piece of CGI, but like 'Life of Pi' it doesn't really matter because of the way the creature moves and interacts with its surroundings. It may not look real but it acts real, you can believe it's really there because of its movements. And, in a way, the creature technically isn't actually the antagonist. As mentioned the officials are the antagonists, the creature meanwhile is just that, a creature. It's not going around killing people like a killer, it's just acting on its animal instincts, like any other wild animal.

The acting meanwhile is great. You really feel for the characters because of the actors and actresses portraying them. I can't think of a single person who gave a bad performance, even the kid (Lee Dong-hu) does a good job. But it's the chemistry between the family, consisting of Song Kang-hu, Park Hae-il, Bae Doona, Byeon Hee-Bong, and Go Ah-sung that truly make this film.


So, really, this was a fun film. Yeah it's got a few flaws here and there, but overall it's a really well done movie. The acting is great, the monster looks superb, the story is refreshing despite being done before, the action scenes are entertaining, there's really not much to say is awful. I seriously recommend giving it a try.