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I heard a bit of buzz around this movie when it was released in the States, so I decided to give it a try. The movie begins with a man in a medical facility being forced to pour mass quantities of toxic chemicals down the drain, which leads out to the Han river in Seoul. Several years later, we meet the Park family. The father and his grown son work in a small shop near a recreational area by the river. When the son, who the family sees as lazy and unsuccessful, is serving snacks to customers, he suddenly sees a giant monster come out of the river and start attacking people. He snaps into action and tries to help, but when the monster goes after his teenage daughter, his efforts are in vain. The family mourns her loss, but soon receives a phone call from her - she's alive and trapped somewhere in the sewer system. It's up to the family to figure out where she is and fight the monster, which isn't easy since the government has quarantined all of them and set up blockades around the river.

I had no idea what I was going to see when I rented The Host. I didn't expect it to be humorous in the least. When it first began, there was a little bit of humor, but a lot of action, too, so I settled in for a good action flick. But when the family started mourning the lost little girl and they're falling all over the floor while they wail, I realized I was in for a lot more humor than I expected. It ends up being a careful balance of action, humor, and drama, which works incredibly well.

I really liked the creativity used with the story, the monster, and several camera effects. Only ten minutes in, I was already noting that this wasn't just a cliche action or comedy flick. When I try to explain it to others, I say it's like the action and seriousness of a monster movie with the humor of Kung Fu Hustle, only not as exaggerated. Haha. I know that's hard to imagine. The family each have different personal attributes that make them stronger as they move toward the end of the movie. They all come together to fight for their cause, and all in ways I didn't always see coming.

The movie definitely ends on a note that I didn't expect, but appreciated. I'm definitely glad I decided to give it a try. It's weird, funny, creative, gruesome, and exciting, and that combo makes for a great little movie.