Film Review: The Host (2006)

Unlike every other mosnster films out there, The Host didn't tried to obscure the monster. We see 'it' in a broad daylight right at the very beginning. Further, if anything, to label The Host with a 'monster film' meant to scare would be an over-simplification. While other monster film relies on gore, blooded execution of its victim, and surprise element, The Host relies on drama, the feeling of loss suffered by their main characters. And that's why, your reviewer here loved this Korean film. And oh yeah, did you know, that The Host was the most seen film in South Korea of all-time? However, I missed the screening of this film at the last Jiffest (it only screened once).

Park Gang-du was a dim-witted, not so intelligent father who worked at his dad's food store right beside the scenic River Han. He slept at work, lazy bum, and never quite do the right thing when it come to work. But one thing for sure, he loved his daughter, more than anything. And when the Host monster abducted his only daughter, he set himself on a voyage to the sewers on River Han to search of her whereabouts. He was not alone of course, his father, his brother and his sister, all of whom (the siblings) indicated to had nill respect toward each other, had broke down when little Park Sung missing. As it was certain, little Park Hyun-seo was one thing that kept this rather dys-functional family together.

Again, if you dont like being frightened or surprised by oh so-called 'horror' movies, this film was quite the opposite. As i've said earlier, i rather inclined to the drama side of this film. How we see Park family who dedicated themselves to find their loved one. But even so, there were some scenes that would surely made you chewed your finger nails and whispers, "Come on! come on! come on!", there were some black comedy which in my case made me laugh bitterly. Though the ending scene was rather - action-wise - dull and predictable, it - drama-wise - was also satisfying, that if i was in charge of the script, this is how i liked the film to end as well. It doesn't cheat.

I just heard that in Bandung, you'd get to see 'The Host' in big screen (oh, how i envy you guys!) via Blitz Megaplex. Rumors had said that Blitz Megaplex would arrive in Jakarta on October 2006 but i didn't see the whiffs or smell the whaffs of it until now. All in all, folks, this is a film that wouldn't dissapoint. And again, trust me, though it features a monster the size of a small-truck, this is not a horror-film, just a herartbreaking family drama with a little touch of thrills.