Myers' "The Host" a serviceable sci-fi flick
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| Saoirse Ronan |
"The Host" is the new sci-fi film based on the novel of the same name from "Twilight's" Stephanie Meyer. Good news: "The Host" is not "Twilight" and is actually a serviceably entertaining, though slow-moving science-fiction film. When an unseen alien enemy threatens mankind by taking over their bodies and erasing their memories, Melanie Stryder (Saoirse Ronan), now known as Wanderer/Wanda with her new alien body, will risk everything to protect the people she cares most about - Jared (Max Irons), Ian (Jake Abel), her brother Jamie (Chandler Canterbury) and her Uncle Jeb (William Hurt), proving that love can conquer all in a dangerous new world. "The Host," directed by "Gattaca's" Andrew Niccol, seems poised to be the next new franchise film in the vein of "Twilight," though it bears little resemblance to the vampire-werewolves plotting of that film. It helps that the film is well-grounded by Ronan, an Oscar-nominated young actress who navigates the movie's romantic scenes with humor and grace along with the handsome Irons (Jeremy Irons' son) and Abel. The film's romantic triangle will most appeal to the "Twilight" set, who may be otherwise bored by the slow-moving film which may be a little annoying at first (it's just difficult to adjust to Ronan talking to herself so much). "The Host" is a slick, handsomely-mounted production with high-production values, and Niccol is an inspired choice to handle the film given his background with such films as "Gattaca," "The Truman Show" and "S1m0ne" and his adaptation of the film should please fans of the book. Overall, "The Host" is a much better film than any of the "Twilight" films, and while that may not be saying much, it's a much more tolerable, accessible effort, even with its familiar romantic themes and somewhat sluggish pacing. The modestly entertaining "The Host" is worth a look for Meyer's fan base and for those who enjoy a decent, servicable science-fiction film.
Wes's Grade: B-
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