Scan and Pan
Monday, April 02, 2007
Gwoemul (The Host)
The film begins with a US military pathologist commanding a Korean assistant to dispose of massive amounts of formaldehyde down the drain, despite being told that the sewer empties into Seoul's Han River (this part of the story is actually true, and happened in 2000). Six years later, a giant mutant fish climbs out of the river and goes on a rampage, killing many people and carrying off schoolgirl Hyun-seo to its lair. Even though the authorities believe her to be dead, her dimwitted slacker father Gang-du believes otherwise, and he, his father Hee-bong, his alcoholic brother Nam-il, and his medal-winning archer sister Nam-joo, set out to rescue her.
Director Joon-ho Bong captures the spirit of classic giant monster films as he keeps this film moving along at a brisk pace, blending in broad comedy, dark humor, tragedy, and political satire (aimed at both the US and South Korean governments) to make a tasty creature feature stew. Bong and his co-writers Chul-hyun Baek and Jun-won Ha employ many of the genre's tropes, but it's never quite as predictable as one might expect. The switch from comedy to a more serious tone halfway through the film may seem jarring at first to western audiences, but it's not unusual for South Korean cinema. While the film has a low budget by US standards, the visual effects and animatronics are outstanding, even when the creature is rampaging in broad daylight, making suspension of disbelief an easier task.
The cast is adept at bringing their characters to life and deftly surfing the changes in tone, including Kang-ho Song as Hang-du, Ah-sung Go as Hyun-seo, Hee-bong Nyeoon as Hee-bong, Hae-il Park as Nam-il, and Doona Bae as Nam-joo. David Joseph Anselmo is also good as an off-duty US soldier who tries to stop the monster during its initial rampage.
The Host is the best film I can think of in this genre since 1990's Tremors, and it's a giddy thrill ride from start to finish. Recommended.
This creature feature from South Korea is a thoroughly entertaining film.
The film begins with a US military pathologist commanding a Korean assistant to dispose of massive amounts of formaldehyde down the drain, despite being told that the sewer empties into Seoul's Han River (this part of the story is actually true, and happened in 2000). Six years later, a giant mutant fish climbs out of the river and goes on a rampage, killing many people and carrying off schoolgirl Hyun-seo to its lair. Even though the authorities believe her to be dead, her dimwitted slacker father Gang-du believes otherwise, and he, his father Hee-bong, his alcoholic brother Nam-il, and his medal-winning archer sister Nam-joo, set out to rescue her.
Director Joon-ho Bong captures the spirit of classic giant monster films as he keeps this film moving along at a brisk pace, blending in broad comedy, dark humor, tragedy, and political satire (aimed at both the US and South Korean governments) to make a tasty creature feature stew. Bong and his co-writers Chul-hyun Baek and Jun-won Ha employ many of the genre's tropes, but it's never quite as predictable as one might expect. The switch from comedy to a more serious tone halfway through the film may seem jarring at first to western audiences, but it's not unusual for South Korean cinema. While the film has a low budget by US standards, the visual effects and animatronics are outstanding, even when the creature is rampaging in broad daylight, making suspension of disbelief an easier task.
The cast is adept at bringing their characters to life and deftly surfing the changes in tone, including Kang-ho Song as Hang-du, Ah-sung Go as Hyun-seo, Hee-bong Nyeoon as Hee-bong, Hae-il Park as Nam-il, and Doona Bae as Nam-joo. David Joseph Anselmo is also good as an off-duty US soldier who tries to stop the monster during its initial rampage.
The Host is the best film I can think of in this genre since 1990's Tremors, and it's a giddy thrill ride from start to finish. Recommended.
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