So Peter Jackson's King Kong didn't net the billion dollars in US box-office everyone was hoping for, and a slew of giant-monster movies hasn't arrived. The best we have is The Host, the current South Korean hit that is tearing up waterways and has already forced the now ubiquitous American Remake (which will suck).
Luckily, The Host is likely the best serious giant-monster movie since the original Godzilla, with great, sparingly used FX, an always-timely plot, humor, horror, pathos, redemption and loss. And a forty-foot-long tadpole.
The Host commences with the usual environmental abuse that leads to monsterism, as US-led formaldehyde dumping inspires a squishy Han River denizen to grow a few extra legs, about eighteen jaws and the need to constantly eat people while getting frisky with tractor-trailers.
Aimless but affable (Too lazy to look up/ remember character or actor's name. ~ Ed.) - who works and lives in a tiny snack shack on the river - watches as the Tadpole makes off with his daughter in an astounding scene of comic-horror that sets the bar way-high.
The movie proceeds to deliver as bungled government quarantines, (the Tadpole is also host to a deadly virus) familial drama and extreme peril-to-children ensues.
What makes the movie really tick are a series of great performances that deftly mix heightened emotions with both exploitation elements and broad but earnest slapstick humor. Humans are portrayed at their clumsy yet resourceful best.
(See above for excuse) as daughter (ditto) gives the least child-actor-y performance imaginable when faced with a monstrous, vicious amphibian, while (it would be easier to collect the information at this point) as her dad transforms from well-meaning buffoon to nurturing parent capable of blood-crazed giant killing.
The Host lags a tiny bit before the big finale, but generally burns high-octane, clicking on all cylinders. The perfect blend of monster-y-goodness and emotion will likely make you turn around and watch again.
