27. THE HOST (2006)
Directed by Bong Joon-Ho
Bong Joon-Ho ended the decade as one of world cinema’s most pre-eminent directors. THE HOST was his second film to receive a UK theatrical release, although his debut, BARKING DOGS NEVER BITE, has since appeared in repertory (and bears several flourishes that have, by now, become hallmarks in common with his later films). His most recent film MOTHER will finish somewhere in 2010’s top ten, and he is a genre hopping, inventive, creative and perceptive filmmaker.
THE HOST is, without doubt, the best monster movie of the decade. In it, a family of misfits has to take action after their youngest female member is snatched by a monster that has come from its sewers to terrorise Seoul. Bong cast his regular leading man Song Kang-Ho as the family patriarch, and his performance is brilliant, but the standout, amongst a terrific ensemble comes from Bae Du-Na, as the medal-winning archer who lives next door to the family.
It is Bong, though that is the true star of THE HOST. Well, Bong and his monster. It’s not just that the opening is a bravura action sequence, but the chutzpah to show the monster, in broad daylight, from the start is breathtaking, and Bong never lets the pace of the film slacken. The most honest, and appropriate comparison is to one of Spielberg’s monster movies. As I prefer JURASSIC PARK to JAWS, I’ll say it’s a better film than either.
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