PLOT: Adapted from a novel by Stephenie Meyer (Twilight), The Host is about an advanced alien race that invades Earth. The "Souls," as they are called, are embedded in the base of the human brain, possessing the host's mind and memories. This film is the answer to what would have happened in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1956) if the alien invaders were successful with their mission to overtake the human race.
This film starts with the human population near extinction except for a few rebels fighting against the invasion. However, where the pod people from the 1956 film had dead-pan eyes and were emotionless, the Souls from "The Host" have icy blue peepers and are passionate about their pursuits. This is evidenced when the Wanderer is implanted in Melanie (Saoirse Ronan), a member of the resistance struggles to control the will of Wanderer in an effort to save her brother and boyfriend, while The Seeker (Diane Kruger) relentlessly tracks her.
ENGAGEMENT: There's action in this film, but not an abundance. The main focus are the relationship between Melanie and Wanderer or Wanda, as she is nicknamed by the resistance, and those who love Melanie. There's some similarities that can be drawn from the "Twilight" films s Melanie/Wanda have drawn the attention of two guys, Jared (Max Irons) and Ian (Jake Abel). Two guys and one girl with two minds – if you haven't read the book, you'll be dying to know who she'll choose.
STYLE: The look of the film is sleek. Set in a city that's been revamped to be clean and uncluttered with building furnishings that look like a day at Ikea. There's a futuristic stylization; the clothes are sleek and all white, except for the shoes, which are gray or beige. The Seeker even sports Lolitas. The vehicles and choppers have a chrome finish and stand out drastically against the desert landscape that serves as a backdrop in most of the film.
Release: Friday, March 29th
This film should be 60% on your radar:
Chicly Yours,
The Chic Spy
(Image courtesy of Open Road Films)
