Let There Be Movies

Review by Elliott

Typically I choose a movie to review based on its moral message, but for today’s review I decided to watch a movie and see what it had to offer good or bad. I’ve really wanted to see The Host since back in 2013, when I saw the trailer,  but haven’t had the opportunity till a week ago. I’m a sucker for science fiction stories based in utopias, so this movie appeared to be right up my alley. As a bonus it also had aliens! Aliens always make movies better….   😉 My main concern was that this movie was based off the book of the same title by Stephenie Meyer, author of the Twilight Series. (Note:  I’m happy to say I’ve never seen or read any of the twilight movies/books. My wife has excellent tastes) I was also a little concerned that some of the scenes in the trailer looked like they came directly from “The Notebooks” deleted scenes, but I don’t mind some romance. Despite those two things I was excited to give this a try.

Main Actors:

Saoirse Ronan as Melanie Stryder

Max Irons as Jared Howe

Jake Abel as Ian O’Shea

Diane Kruger as The Seeker

William Hurt as Jeb

Trivia:
Although at first reported as such, this was actually not the last movie Roger Ebert reviewed before his death. As reported by Jim Emerson, the last review Ebert wrote was for Terrence Malick‘s _To the Wonder (2012)_. However, the Review for _The Host (2013)_ was the last review that was published before his death.

Story:

Aliens have come to Earth and have taken the majority of humans as their hosts. The aliens are spirit like creatures that attach themselves to the brain, through the neck, and take over their host body. The story follows Melanie as she tries to hid from the seekers and not be taken as a host. However she is ambushed and taken as the host for “Wanderer”, who she nicknames Wanda. Much of the dialogue takes place in Melanie’s head. She tries to regain control of her body from Wanda, but isn’t strong enough. Through this struggle Melanie and and Wanda develop a relationship, which eventually turns into friendship. However, before this happens, they happen across some other humans that haven’t been taken as hosts. Melanie’s uncle Jeb is the leader of this group, which is the only reason she is taken in and not killed. Now that she is no longer in control, they don’t trust her, but they don’t want to kill her. As she spends more time with them, Wanda develops a sympathy for the human race and for her host. She begins to fall in love with a human, which is complicated by the fact that her host was in a relationship with someone else in the group. Much of the rest of the story focus on their two love lives and the dilemmas that they now face together.

Moral Message:

One of the central themes to this movie was the idea of trust. The entire alien species relies on trusting each other and base most of their actions on the good of others…. Although it’s ironic that they would then take over an entire civilization. Anyways, much of the story is spent on the relationship Wanderer has with her host and Jeb’s people. Naturally they don’t trust her, but as time goes on and she makes sacrifices and places other needs/safety above her own. By the end of the movie she fully gains their trust. At the same point, the seeker breaks that trust that they rely on and loses control, because of her own personal vendetta. Just as it is portrayed in the movie, trust is something difficult to obtain and easy to lose.  The bible warns us not to put all our trust in any person.

Psalm 118:8
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.

As trustworthy as some of our friends and family are, they are still fallible, they still mess up. God never fails, we can always trust in Him. Sometimes that’s not easy, especially when we are going through difficulties, but God has promised that he “will make our paths straight”.

Proverbs 3:5-12
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce;

Conclusion:

I had high hopes for this movie, but was sadly disappointed. The Host is about as deep as the puddles that formed during all the rain  makeout scenes. When it comes to kissing scenes, this movie would take the award, for the most cheesy/laughable/headshaking moments. There were a few scenes were my wife and I looked at each other and just started laughing in disbelief. It wasn’t all bad though, the main theme of trust was good as were the visuals. The acting was ok, but nothing special. I wouldn’t recommend this movie, but at the same point I didn’t hate it. I’m still curious about the book and despite the movie being bad, will probably read the book at some point.