The Host (2006)
The Host
I’ve seen quite a few monster flicks in my time, and I can confidently say that this one is one of the best I’ve seen, period. It can be easy to make a mistake with these kinds of films, but this one doesn’t. Not only does it have a great antagonist, but the commentary on government cover-ups, hysteria, and regulations was well placed, and still relevant today. I’m just saying, Bong Joon-Ho is a master at his work. I think the biggest and best thing this film does is focus on the characters, and how it’s just your average, dysfunctional family that saves the day. Some monster films, like 2014’s ‘Godzilla’, focus too much on the characters and not enough on the title creature. However, this one revolves around the family, and it keeps you completely invested and attached to each person. Because of that, the story flows smoothly, while still providing enough twists and turns to keep it fresh and new. Of all of the monster films I’ve seen, this one definitely does one of the best jobs of being written around central characters, while still keeping everything around them relevant, such as the monster and government stuff. Does that make sense? It sounds good in my head so I’m leaving it. The acting is fantastic, most especially from the main family. It’s very easy to identify with them, and almost immediately, you’re given a good taste of each personality, and how their personalities help them fight and survive. I was also very impressed with the visual effects. Normally, for a 2006 monster film, I wouldn’t expect anything too great. But, the monster in this feels so real, and the movements feel very natural and unique. Yes, there were a couple times where the VFX was obvious, but overall, they were done extremely well. Overall, this film provides plenty of action, notable commentary on the hand the government plays on certain situations (especially involving the public), and the characters are very relatable and interesting. There were some small moments that felt a little drawn out, but besides those, this kept my attention the whole time, and I can see it going up on a rewatch. I’d recommend this to all horror/sci-fi fans. This film is officially Berry Approved, so go watch it now!