The Host Review

I saw The Host on April 1, 2013!! Despite the negative reviews and attitude towards the film, I knew it would get these just because it is based on a book written by Stephenie Meyer. Also, I liked the Twilight series a great deal, and I have no problem saying it. I enjoyed this movie, and found it to be quite interesting. It was a nice mix of science fiction with a little romance thrown in. I thought it blended Doctor Who, Aliens, The Walking Dead, and some elements of Twilight very well. The story revolves around an alien species that takes over human beings erasing their minds and taking over the body. This process destroys the human race, and increases the power of these hosts. However, what these hosts fail to realize is unlike most species, the human being is a complex organism that is difficult to control. I really liked that idea. Saoirse Ronan was perfectly cast as Melanie Stryder, who is a human being fighting off The Wanderer. Melanie is using her mind to control Wanderer, and avoid being consumed by her, The Seeker, and the other hosts. Ronan had a very similar role in Hanna back in 2011, where she was being controlled by a government organization to make her a killing machine. That's why it felt natural to me. She's a very talented young actress. She is on a quest to locate her brother Jamie, uncle Jedediah, and best friend Jared Howe. While Wanderer is trying to consume Melanie, we notice that they are starting to bond and create a connection which shows that humans and the hosts can live together rather than one species trying to wipe out the other. She comes across her family, who is initially skeptical that Melanie is still in her, but through different scenarios with Jared, Jamie, Jedediah, and characters like Ian O' Shea and rescuing Aaron from raging waters, she earns their trust. The group calls her Wanda. I thought it was interesting how these remaining humans created a living community within caves using solar energy to grow wheat for sustenance as well as growing emotional attachments to Wanda with Melanie inside. Melanie and Wanda are both battling over which guy they are interested in which made for some funny lines. There were some great action scenes with the hosts chasing the remaining humans. Wanda helping the humans was great to watch. We know Melanie is affecting her actions, but we also notice that Wanda grows to agree with the humans instead of what The Seeker wants. Wanda wants to return the real Melanie back to her family and friends. Melanie doesn't want Wanda to leave them. The solution dealt with the extraction of the soul, which was an interesting concept and visual. I liked how they took the host out of Melanie and placed it in a dying human girl to allow Wanda to stay, but also to give the human girl life. It showed how beneficial a host can be, as well as showing the idea of co-existence between the humans and the alien race. It was really awesome to see Emily Browning aka Babydoll in Sucker Punch make an appearance as Wanda in the end. Like the Twilight movies, I will once again be the one that gives this the positive reviews it should get. I will give it a 4/5, as I felt it was an interesting concept, had a great cast, and I enjoyed watching the human mind maintain control over the alien body in the Melanie Stryder/Wanda character.