Movie Description
Bong Joon-ho's THE HOST is a giddy revelation--an inspired and unexpectedly moving contribution to the monster movie genre. Several years ago, a crooked government official from the United States ordered the dumping of toxic substances into Seoul's Han River. Years later, the hapless Gang-du (Song Kang-ho) is working at his father's food stand along the river, caring for his bright daughter Hyun-seo (Ko A-sung). But one day, a monstrous creature emerges from the water and embarks on a murderous rampage throughout the community, swallowing Hyun-seo whole. Gang-du's bullish younger brother Park Nam-il (Park Hae-il) and sister Nam-joo (Bae Doo-na) condemn him for being such a failure, while their father angrily chastises them for being so cruel. But when Gang-du receives a cell phone call from Hyun-seo, the family must band together to reclaim her. Unfortunately, at this stage, the government has announced that the monster is the host of a dangerous virus, and anyone who has come into contact with it--namely Gang-du--must be isolated. As the monster continues to wreak havoc on Seoul, Gang-du, his father, and his siblings must learn to work together to bring Hyun-seo home. Bong Joon-ho's third film, after BARKING DOGS NEVER BITE and MEMORIES OF MURDER, firmly establishes his status as one of the world's most gifted storytellers. Not simply a monster movie spectacle--though it is certainly that and then some--THE HOST also works as a poignant family drama and a biting critique of America's invasion of Iraq.
| Credits | | Producer: | Choi Yong-bae | | Cast: | Bae Hae-il |
Editorial Reviews
"[A] surprisingly stirring drama about family honor and loyalties....THE HOST evolves into that rare horror film that's also inconsolably poignant."
Box Office - Kevin Courrier (11/01/2006)
3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[P]art of what makes it so enjoyable is how much stuff it contains while never losing sight of its prime directive, which is to thrill and terrify."
Sight and Sound - Glenn Kenny (03/01/2007)
"This wildly entertaining saga should become the hip, thinking-person's monster movie of choice." -- Grade: A-
Entertainment Weekly - Lisa Schwarzbaum (03/16/2007)
3.5 stars out of 4 -- "There is an appealingly absurdist quality to the film but also a dark undertone that taps into deeply held fears of monsters..."
USA Today - Claudia Puig (03/09/2007)
3.5 stars out of 4 -- "[The film defines] horror for the new millennium. This you have to see."
Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (04/05/2007)
3 stars out of 5 -- "[A] darkly comic, bittersweet, tragic monster movie about a family's attempts to rescue a little girl from a mutant creature..."
Total Film - Ceri Thomas (05/01/2007)
"A delicious, often darkly funny combination of monster movie and dysfunctional family drama..."
Sight and Sound - Kate Stables (05/01/2007)
4 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he digital effects and direction are both stunning..."
Ultimate DVD - Jason Caro (05/01/2007)
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