| Overall Grade: |
A- |
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| Story: |
A- |
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| Acting: |
A |
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| Direction: |
A- |
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| Visuals: |
B+ |
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The Host - Review
by Steve Calg (movies profile)
Sep 13, 2007
5
of
8 people found this review helpful
On a sunny day, when it seems like nothing can go wrong, an odd creature is discovered by a crowd of people, hanging on the bridge with its long tail. When more gather around to witness this anonymous creature, it rises from the water, and starts crushing and eating whatever that is on its way. Instantly, peaceful Han River park is filled with frantic screams, as people try to escape from the deadly grip of the monster. Then, a girl gets snatched by the creature, and her helpless father watches her getting swallowed by the creature.
The Host is not just about the creature. In fact, we don't really get to see much of actions or character development of this ugly, vile, lizard-looking creature throughout the movie. There are parts where it shows powerful message based on the significance of a family, politics, and human nature in general.
Actually, the monster is not that intimidating at all, comparing to how people reacted to it. First, the government takes absolute control over population, promising them protection and yet only providing the nation with fear and lies. United States, the usual "save-the-day" country, is not doing much to help either. Instead, they take advantage of people's apprehension, and use it to rip off money from them for things that only cause negative impacts.
What seems to be the hero-of-the-day in this movie is a dysfunctional family that consists of a brave grandfather who seems to be the only one who actually knows how to use the gun skillfully, his first son who spends most of his lifetime sleeping, his second son who graduated from the university and hate the society for not accepting him, and one and only daughter who is a bit slow and hesitant, but very accurate in aiming. They struggle to rescue Hyeun Suh, who is like a broad day-light to the rather hopeless, exhausted family. Without getting any help from the others, the family try to look for Hyeun Suh, making absurd moves, but still admirable for their courage.
Bong Jun Ho definitely did an excellent job directing this film, making sure that there were plentiful of comic reliefs, melancholy, and real good thrills to entertain the audiences. It becomes a bit draggy in the middle part, but for the rest, it's the best you can expect from this genre. Go watch this movie - it's best to see it in the theater, and since it's limited, it won't play in the theaters for a while. |
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