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The
Host is, without doubt, one of the standout monster films in well over
a decade. Everything about this superb 2006 South Korean monster film
(which was seen over 13 million times in its home land, making it the
highest grossing South Korean film of all time) works. It's funny, it
has heart, it looks fantastic and it's really really funny. Think what
the original Scream was to the slasher franchise - well, The Host is
the new benchmark for monster flicks (something which JJ Abrams should
keep in mind when finishing up his "Cloverfield" project).
The
film follows a small South Korean family who run a family owned
snack-bar along the Han River. Gang-du (the loser son and single parent
of the clan) is sent to serve a customer and notices that a crowd has
gathered along the edge of the river, pointing at something hanging off
the Wonhyo Bridge...something not human.
Now, in any other
American monster film, we wouldn't find out what this "thing" or
see any action for a good fourty minutes - but like I said, this is the
new gereration of Monster flick.
As the crowd throw food into
the river, to see what will happen the creature emerges and begins to
attack and devour people whole. As Gang-du runs in fear from the
monster, he sees Hyun-seo (his brainy daughter) grabs her hand and
tries to lead her to safety, but stumbles and grabs the hand of another
girl instead. Realizing his error too late, he sees the monster grab
Hyun-seo and drag her into the river.
The real beauty of this
flick is that from this point, The Host doesn't fall into the same
"Hunt'em Down" trap that most moives of this genre tend to. Because as
Hyun-seo's misfit family gathers together to find the daughter, The
Host becomes less of a story about monsters and more of a story about a
kidnapping, remorse and redemption. In short, theres more layers and
substance than you are ever likely to find in King Kong.
The
performances are superb, all balancing humour, drama and horror to
perfection. The pacing is on the money, and very rarely hits a slow
beat. The effects too, are second to none. It's rare that Hollywood
serves up a convincing CG Monster, but somehow (on a much smaller
budget), the makers behind The Host pull off one of the most impressive
(and scary) daytime Monster sequences yet put on film.
While
many might be turned off by having to read the subtitles, I must stress
that this is well worth a look (especially before Hollywood gives it a
woeful remake).
A triumph. EXTRAS
On
the two disc set, there is plenty to keep you occupied. The featurettes
are extremely watchable (and I saw this, because generally those things
could put a speed addict to sleep), which is such a refreshing change.
We
get a closer look at the history behind the idea, the effort that went
into the effects, and the Directors thoughts on why he put so much
consideration in the story over the visuals.
If the original Ring and Grudge are already sitting in your DVD case, don't wait to add this title. It's worth every penny.
Conclusion:
Movie 85% Extras: 75%
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