The Host (R)

One thing I have to thank "Pan's Labryinth" for is that it has opened up the category of foreign films for me. Now, when I hear about a foreign film I might be interested in, I will now strongly consider it. "The Host" is one that I heard about a while back, but didn't check out until now. "The Host" is a Korean film with a mixture of "Godzilla" themes and "Jaws". The title refers to a mutant creature created when a laboratory worker dumps large amounts of chemicals into the sink, which ends up in the Han River. An amphibian creature later shows up and begins to wreak havoc on the community. Set against the chaos is a simple family whose daughter is snatched by the creature and presumed to be dead. When her father receives a cell phone call from her, it becomes their quest to find her and save her from the creature. The film also delves into the "culture of fear" that governments create to keep its people in line when the government rounds up anyone who has been "exposed" to the creature under the guise that the creature is a "host" for a very lethal virus. The effects and story line were great in this film. The acting was a bit over the top, but I am not sure if that was worsened by the voice actors who did the dubbing for the English language track. I actually recommend that you watch this in the original language with subtitles. It was a fun ride, while still fitting in some compelling social commentary and an examination of the dynamics of a family. There is one great soliloquy from the patriarch of the family as he explains to two of his kids that they cannot imagine the anguish of their brother, who has lost his daughter. An emotional appeal, and one that hit home for me. I found this to be an entertaning two hours.

Grade: B-

Trailer: