The Host

Directed by Joon-ho Bong.

2007. Rated R, 119 minutes.

Cast:

Kang-ho Song

Hie-bong Byeon

Hae-il Park

Doona Bae

Ah-sung Ko

Dal-su Oh

Jae-eung Lee

After being ordered to do so by his American supervisor, a young doctor pours numerous bottles of toxic chemicals down the drain which come out on the other end in the Han River. As a result, a rather large creature is formed that likes to spend its time eating and/or collecting human beings. As you may have heard, this movie has a bit of an Anti-American agenda but its easily enough ignored if you like your creatures sans politics. The special fx are solid as the creature looks believable. There is plenty of depth here. However, it can be enjoyed by skimming along the surface as the movie periodically throws things at you trying to get a reaction. So it's a fairly fun monster flick that doesn't mind trying to make a statement but forgets that just because its monster is grotesque doesn't automatically mean its scary.

MY SCORE: 7/10