I remember when my best friend Karen and I dragged our men to see the 3rd installment of Twilight. Not even half way through the movie they were both giving their own commentary like an episode of Riftracks, with the main complaint being “why are all the shots so close to their faces?” Upon exiting the theater they both vowed to Karen and I that they would never see another Twilight movie, especially not in theaters.
Ladies, fear not because The Host is the perfect balance of chick-flick, sci-fi and action to keep anyone watching entertained, even your man.
The Host follows Melanie (Saoirse Ronan) as she is implanted with a tiny, fragile alien species that attempts to take over her body. As her mind fights to maintain control, Wonder (or Wanda) is in control of her body. Wanda is faced with the difficult challenge of doing what is instinctual to their kind or let the emotions that Melanie projects lead her to the human rebellion.
There are a few things that make this movie distinctly a Stephenie Meyer movie: simple scenes with random beautiful scenery and special effects, a mellow pace, an unnatural love triangle and an unexpected but happy ending.
The scenes are so simple and clean, but so powerful. In the movie “the hosts” have “perfected” earth, since apparently all the humans were destroying it. The cities are big, techy and simple. Even the grocery store is just called “store” with simple packaging with just the words that identify the items like “corn” and “water”. The scenes with the humans are a complete 180. Mostly taking place in the desert, there are beautiful landscapes of mesas, plateaus, open desert and vast caves.
While this movie could have easily been a James Cameron movie, except for the unnatural love triangle. Melanie has a human love, Jared (Max Irons) that she is fighting for, but when humans reject Wanda, because she is a host, she falls for the one guy, Ian (Jake Abel) who believes in her when no one else will, including Jared. Wanda and Melanie are at odds, because while “Melanie’s” body and mind are in love with Jared, Wanda is in love with Jake, which is clearly confusing for all. This situation is humorously demonstrated in this movie, since we hear what Melanie is thinking and what Wanda is saying.
There is also some pretty great gems in this movie: mirrors to grow wheat in the cave, how the hosts travel from planet to planet and the unusual behavior of the hosts. This movie is such a unique twist on being invaded you almost want it to happen.
This is great date movie that will leave boyfriends and husbands with a new appreciation for Stephenie Meyer.
9 out of 11
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRKjf8b4f2E]
About the movie:
Synopsis: When an unseen enemy threatens mankind by taking over their bodies and erasing their memories, Melanie will risk everything to protect the people she cares most about, proving that love can conquer all in a dangerous new world.
Director: Andrew Niccol
Writers: Stephenie Meyer, Andrew Niccol
Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Max Irons, Jake Abel, Diane Kruger, Rachel Roberts, Shyaam Karra, Jhil McEntyre
Production Co: Chockstone Pictures, Nick Wechsler Productions, Silver Reel
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 125 mins
Release: In theaters now
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