The Host

This is a weird movie to review. It’s a lot of fun, and also a bit of a mess. It’s never bad, but it’s never all it could be either. The downsides are the pacing and the plotting. They both kind of come undone in the second act, losing focus, repeating sequences and themes, and generally taking forever to get to the point. A rewrite could’ve brought this movie down 15-20 minutes, and it would be leaner, meaner, and more focused. Another problem is the score, which rarely ever seems appropriate. A tense escape sequence early on has a score that sounds like music from a Russian  circus. It also should be mentioned that the CGI has not aged well, but that’s not the movie’s fault. Still, it is an interesting story. The themes of governments being incompetent to handle a crisis is a unique statement to make, and it does so without feeling blunt or obvious. It does have some great, tense sequences, especially near the end, when the kids are trying to get away from the monster. You’ll grab the armrests and hold your breath. And the ending, which I won’t spoil, is a surprise. May not be a surprise you like, but I appreciate the bravery. It’s not a perfect movie, not even a great one, but it is a good one, and its strengths outweigh its faults. Hooptober 2021 movie #23/24