Review of The Host (2006) by James S — 02 Dec 2009

Okay, so is it meant to be a mutant tadpole? Whatever it is, this monster movie from Korea manages to avoid cliche while still being incredibly great fun.

Some irresponsible scientist types decide to dump a load of toxins in the river and before you know it a bad tempered, mutated fish is terrorising picnic goers and kidnapping school girls leading to her family mounting a desperate rescue attempt.

The film relies little on jump scares (there is the odd one of course) but the first time we see the beastie, rather than emerging from the water in Jaws-like motion, it's galloping along the rivers embankment sending tourists sprawling. It's this wonderful tongue in cheek humour that marks The Host as a stand out in the monster movie genre.

A lot of this kind of film's boxes are checked - paranoid government types etc but as well as delivering some great monster rampaging and human vs fish fights, there is a great underlying story of a estranged family bonding together to find one of their own.

The cgi in The Host may not be able to rival Cloverfield levels but the monster itself it still a believably imposing threat. The scene in which it's young captive tries to escape it's clutches is particularly nerve-wracking.

The Host is an excellent movie which proves there's more to Asian horror than drenched looking girls with long black hair.