What's your plans for this title? Buying or what? Those who have seen it: Is it a strong blind buy contender?

I've never seen it and am wondering. I'm a big Asian movie fan but I also hate to buy things before I've seen them because sometimes my tastes can be picky/specific. I need to know if I should/can blind buy it though because I can get $8 off if I buy it release week by reserving it a Movie Stop.

I think it's a strong contender for a blind buy. The best way that I can describe it is as a grown-up Godzilla movie. It's got a good story, it's dark (there is a body count unlike Godzilla films), but it's really the characters and the comedy that make the film so special. It's not a perfect film, but it is probably the best "kaiju" type film I've ever seen, if it can even be classified in the category.

So yeah, buy it. I don't think you'll regret it.

I bought it today. Actually had a hard time finding it. I did not feel like driving to Fry's to pick it up for for $5 cheaper then BB. No big deal, I will be watching it in about an hour. Got good reviews, hope it was worth the $30.

I bought it today. Actually had a hard time finding it. I did not feel like driving to Fry's to pick it up for for $5 cheaper then BB. No big deal, I will be watching it in about an hour. Got good reviews, hope it was worth the $30.

Fry's seems to always list the new release Blu-rays in the Fri-Tues Ad, so you could just take that back to best buy and PM.

I liked the movie but don't feel it has a lot of repeat potential. The monster sequences are nifty and the characters are likeable enough, but it has some draggy, almost pointless sequences in the middle -- plus the ending was, without giving it away, somewhat less than satisfying to me at least.

A definite view, but I would not rank it as a "blind buy."

I got it as a blind buy. The theatrical run here was one of the crappier movie houses. I was thinking that it would be 19.99 at Fry's so I asked them to price match at best buy. They did and didn't even call to check. Found out that they had it at 24.99 so I am OK with the blind buy. I skimmed through it and it looks pretty good.

Mine on its way from Netflix... but most threads about this have recommended that people do NOT blind buy it. I obviously can't comment from personal experience (yet).

I bought this today but haven't watched it yet. I read some good reviews on it leading me to buy it. I am a big horror fan and there really isn't much out there right now.

I was really eager to see this film after seeing the HD trailer on HDNet and I saw it when it was released in the theatre. I definately enjoyed the film but expected more. I think it is a stretch for a blind buy. If you like these types of movies then you might not be disappointed. Supposedly there is a US remake in the works. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing!

Worth owning if you like Godzilla type movies (I do :) ).

I didn't like it, maybe I went in with too high expectations I don't know. I couldn't sit through it again that's for sure.

I'll have to say, I was excited to so this movie as I tend to love Korean films - and this one has all the hype. Perhaps that was the problem, from what I heard, perhaps it just could live up to the expectations. Wasn't a a bad movie, but I agree with DM2006RI - not sure how often I'd watch it.

Would look good in HD though.

A friend of mine was really hot to see this, and I went along reluctantly. I ended up enjoying it quite a bit, and he was disappointed in it.
It reminded me a lot of Jaws- the way it kept its focus on the everyman protagonist(s), and used the monster sparingly and effectively. The monsters first appearence is very well done, and kicks everything off well.
The ending was a surprise. To say anything more probably wouldn't be a good idea. logical, and realistic, but. not exactly satisfying. I appreciate it in theory moreso than in fact.

In the theater the print looked absolutely fantastic. I've often negatively compared theatrical viewings with watching something at home-but in this case I had to admit that the image in the theater was as good as anything I have ever seen out, and had to admit my Pearl can't really attain the intra scene black levels I saw. Should make for a fantastic HD.

Probably won't ever watch it again, but was glad I saw it once.

Watched it tonight the movie looks fantastic on blu ray. Highly recommend it for demo material - in terms of MQ it kept me entertained.

Definitely worth owning. :)

The picture and sound quality were excellent. The sound especially stood out during the scenes with the Monster. That said, it was a fun movie, but not the type I'd want to watch again. Glad I Netflix'ed it.

I'm surprised to hear people saying that they didn't care for it. I do think that the hype was way overblown (I saw it with mediocre expectations before the hype kicked in for the U.S. theatrical release). Having said that my wife and I both thought this was the best Korean film we had seen in the last few years, having seen disappointment after disappointment we found it very refreshing.

rented this before buying, but didn't need to. PQ/SQ absolutely amazing and the movie itself is wicked. definite buy. glad i finalllly found a copy :P

I'll have to say, I was excited to so this movie as I tend to love Korean films - and this one has all the hype. Perhaps that was the problem, from what I heard, perhaps it just could live up to the expectations. Wasn't a a bad movie, but I agree with DM2006RI - not sure how often I'd watch it.

I have to agree. I tend to love Korean films, but this was WAY over hyped. I was rather disappointed. I also didn't really appreciate the "humor" in the movie. I bought the import DVD, when it first came out, and I don't think I'll double dip for this.
J

If I blind bought this movie, I'd would have hid in a corner and cried.

PQ/SQ absolutely amazing
And then next week, there will another one that's better. And the week after that comes a reference disc. And then comes THE MUST OWN 5 star reference. And then comes the I-can-count-every-nose-hair reference disc.

rent it then buy it. What's the harm? extra $5?

I blind bought and was definitely surprised and delighted. It was a fun movie and as a bonus it looked and sounded great.

If I blind bought this movie, I'd would have hid in a corner and cried.


And then next week, there will another one that's better. And the week after that comes a reference disc. And then comes THE MUST OWN 5 star reference. And then comes the I-can-count-every-nose-hair reference disc.

rent it then buy it. What's the harm? extra $5?
I tend to be a big blind buyer, and can definately reccomend The Host. I actually got lucky and a friend had it. I agree that if your on the fence, or have heard bad things, renting isnt a bad option, but an extra $5 or $6 is actually a lot when you can buy it for $23.

If I blind bought this movie, I'd would have hid in a corner and cried.
That's quite a picture. Do they make you wear a funny hat when you're in the corner :D

I thought this movie was phenomenal. Not so much a horror movie as much as a drama. The family really made the movie, great character development and some groundbreaking plot devices for the monster movie genre.

i did enjoy the photography and the constant rainy, drizzly atmosphere

I hated the movie.......If you buy it, make sure you watch it with the Korean audio track. The English version is simply horrible. No emotion, the voices do not in any way match the character on the screen.

I'm glad I rented it, I am sorry I wasted 2 hours of my time on that piece of garbage.

A complete range of emotions for this movie!!!

LMAO!

Some love it some think it was utter garbage. Might need to rent it myself now.

I hated the movie.......If you buy it, make sure you watch it with the Korean audio track. The English version is simply horrible. No emotion, the voices do not in any way match the character on the screen.

I'm glad I rented it, I am sorry I wasted 2 hours of my time on that piece of garbage.

OAL only please. ;)

As soon as I saw the monster I was done. I got a good laugh before turning it off though. That took all of about fifteen minutes. That monster looked so fake. I'm sorry I rented it.

As soon as I saw the monster I was done. I got a good laugh before turning it off though. That took all of about fifteen minutes. That monster looked so fake. I'm sorry I rented it.

I think you may have liked it if you stuck it out. The movie really transcends the manifestation of the monster. Kind of like Shakespeare's plays back in the day. The story and characters were so great, no one minded Juliet was some dude in drag.

By its nature, the movie required some depiction and interaction of the creature. Be it CGI, stop motion, or hand puppet, no matter what it looked like it fulfiled its purpose of providing conflict for the protagonists, who were the real stars of the film.

avoid 'The Host' like the Black Death plague.

I loved the host. I think its great. awesome PQ. 8.5/10

I love monster flicks though. this was pretty good and orginal .

As soon as I saw the monster I was done. I got a good laugh before turning it off though. That took all of about fifteen minutes. That monster looked so fake. I'm sorry I rented it.


I thought the effects were really good. How did it look fake? the design of the creature? I thought the first sight of the monster was awesome.

I thought the first sight of the monster was awesome.
That scene was amazing. Personally I think the monster looks just fine, but I don't know how anyone could make it through that scene (maybe he turned it off before finishing the scene) and not be on the edge of their seat wondering what's going to happen next.

Or moving later in the film, when they get that cell phone call from the lost girl they all think is dead.
Moments like that just made me have to know what was going to happen next.

I think Harry Knowles is partly to blame for cranking up expectations for this film to a height that couldn't be met for many people. I haven't read his site for many, many years, but his quote gives me an idea of the kind of review he wrote.

His previous film "Memories of Murder" was an intelligent and sublime classic. I found "The Host" to be an homage to dumb B-grade monster films. But it was so clumsy and badly constructed it didnt even meet that goal. The one good scene is the monster running amok for the first time. The rest was a waste of time.

See his previous film for real entertainment.

Memories of Murder is indeed an excellent film. I don't see The Host as an hommage though, in fact it uses some of the same tools as MoM, namely overt social commentary on the blueprint of a genre picture (serial killer flick in MoM, monster movie here). They're both interesting hybrids, although I can see that The Host is much easier to, superficially, pass off as a monster movie. It is that too. The mechanisms at work in MoM are much more subtle, no arguments there, it is the stronger film. The Host suffers a bit for being too much in love with the monster movie and the spectacle inside and consequently being billed as such.

The director's other film, Barking Dogs Never Bite, is very much recommended. Seeing the rest of his work makes Host appear in a different light than just seeing it based on the premise of an AICN quote passing it off as the spiritual heir to JAWS. Among the people I've asked, Host did not work as a pure monster vehicle any more than MoM worked as a pure serial killer flick.

My recommendation is to rent it first, even on just plain old dvd if you have to. I loked the moster, but the storyline was just too long and drug out for me.

If you like Godzilla type monster movies w/ cheezy effects and bad dubbing you will like it. If not you will think it is crap. It's that simple (IMHO).

Try watching it in Korean with subtitles. I haven't watched the dub (never do) but it doesn't come across as cheesy in its original language. From what I've seen of Crouching Tiger's dub from flipping through channels I would've thought that movie was cheesy if I had seen it dubbed.

Godzilla gets a bad wrap due to its Americanization and cheesy sequels, but you should really try seeing the original unedited and subtitled. The effects, of course show their age, but the film itself is excellent.

If you like Godzilla type monster movies w/ cheezy effects and bad dubbing you will like it. If not you will think it is crap. It's that simple (IMHO).
Actually, I love Godzilla type monster movies, but I really didn't like The Host.
J

I watched this movie 10 times. Well, about 5 mins at a time which was all I could take. Cheesy, bad acting and story and just plain dumb. The scene where the monster was chasing through the park was pretty cool though. Those of you who like it, did you actually like the movie or just the fact that the pq was very good? I thought the funniest thing was on the box where some critic (???) likened it to jaws in some way.
Glad I did not buy this.

I actually did blind buy this title... and regretted it.

Sold it the very next day.

Memories of Murder is 10 times better than The Host. I'm a huge fan of sci-fi/horror/monster films, but I gotta warn people about this one. Rent first.

I bought it blind, watched it yesterday, and now its goin up on ebay :)

First off, that park chase scene is badass and pretty much sold me on watching the rest of the movie. Unfortunately, the rest of the movie sucked. Wasn't sure what I was watching. It tries to go from serious "Where the hell is my daughter?" film to some comedic-cross eyed doctor-lame humor-stupid subplot Agent Yellow thing. This film either needed to go serious like JAWS or go Evil Dead route - not switch back and forth whenever it felt like it. The CG creature I thought was passable enough to make it not become a distraction.

Had potential. Shame :(

Spoiler:
The movie would have been better if you cut out the entire girl in the sewer part and make it unknown if she really is alive or the guy was just imagining the phone call. The audience had nothing to look forward too because we saw that she was alright.

Those of you who like it, did you actually like the movie or just the fact that the pq was very good?

Definitely not one of thoe cases I assure you. The movie was out on korean DVD, seen, opinions formed long before this high-def release. In fact many here seem to have already known to movie from either cinemas or korean shiny disc. Opinions have been this divided long before the high-def release, if anything this thread proves that great pq won't help peolpe appreciate a movie they think stinks. Not vice versa.

It tries to go from serious "Where the hell is my daughter?" film to some comedic-cross eyed doctor-lame humor-stupid subplot Agent Yellow thing.
I'll agree with your criticism here, the whole government coverup/agent yellow/crazy doctor business was silly. But IMO the story of the family is powerful enough to overcome that.

I thought the funniest thing was on the box where some critic (???) likened it to jaws in some way.
That wasn't a critic, it was a fanboy with too much credence given to him.

If you like Godzilla type monster movies w/ cheezy effects and bad dubbing you will like it. If not you will think it is crap. It's that simple (IMHO).
Please tell me you didn't actually listen to English dub. :eek:

If you buy this, you will absolutely go blind...

Watched it with the family, nobody really liked it. We agreed there was a good movie in there trying to get out, it just never did. Sold it to another AVS member.

MEC2

I bought it blind, watched it yesterday, and now its goin up on ebay :)

First off, that park chase scene is badass and pretty much sold me on watching the rest of the movie. Unfortunately, the rest of the movie sucked. Wasn't sure what I was watching. It tries to go from serious "Where the hell is my daughter?" film to some comedic-cross eyed doctor-lame humor-stupid subplot Agent Yellow thing. This film either needed to go serious like JAWS or go Evil Dead route - not switch back and forth whenever it felt like it. The CG creature I thought was passable enough to make it not become a distraction.

Had potential. Shame :(

Spoiler:
The movie would have been better if you cut out the entire girl in the sewer part and make it unknown if she really is alive or the guy was just imagining the phone call. The audience had nothing to look forward too because we saw that she was alright.


Some of this might be cultural. (I know, I know, I'm playing that 'card'.)

It's extremely common in Korean cinema for the tone of the movies to fly all over the place like this.

And the Yellow agent subplot was part of the slap in the face to the US social commentary coursing through the movie.

(taken from IMDB)

One thing to be taken into consideration about the chemicals being thrown into the river is that it's based on the real life event. Here's what I found "The film was in part inspired by an incident in 2000 in which a mortician working for the U.S. military in Seoul dumped a large amount of formaldehyde down the drain. In addition to its environmental impact, this has added some antagonism against the United States. The American military situated in South Korea is portrayed as uncaring about the effects their activities have on the locals. The chemical agent used by the American military to combat the monster in the end, named "Agent Yellow" in a thinly veiled reference to Agent Orange was also used to satirical effect."

Oh yeah, I really liked the movie. I wouldn't say it's the greatest thing ever, but it was a great way to spend a couple evenings with friends. (watched it twice)

That said, it's a very kooky film, and mildly bizzare in it's execution. (That's probably why I liked it) So I wouldn't recommend it as a blind buy unless you know yourself to be predisposed to this type of storytelling.

[QUOTE=chirpie]


And the Yellow agent subplot was part of the slap in the face to the US social commentary coursing through the movie.

(QUOTE]

If faced with the option of agent yellow or watching this again, gimme the yellow baby. Perhaps agent yellow could be developed as a cure for movies like this.
Loved the American scientist looking right into the camera with the lazy eye, lol.

Does anyone know if Shaolin soccer was Korean? I did like that.

[QUOTE=chirpie]


And the Yellow agent subplot was part of the slap in the face to the US social commentary coursing through the movie.

(QUOTE]

If faced with the option of agent yellow or watching this again, gimme the yellow baby. Perhaps agent yellow could be developed as a cure for movies like this.
Loved the American scientist looking right into the camera with the lazy eye, lol.

Does anyone know if Shaolin soccer was Korean? I did like that.

Shaolin Soccer was Mainland China. Stephen Chow. If you liked that, someone will instantly tell you to check out Kung Fu Hustle. They'd be right to do so.

The movie would have been better if you cut out the entire girl in the sewer part and make it unknown if she really is alive or the guy was just imagining the phone call. The audience had nothing to look forward too because we saw that she was alright.

If they cut out the scenes with the daughter, the movie would have absolutely no sympathetic characters.

My wife hollered at me (again).

"Why do you rent movies like this!!!" "Well, it was rated like, almost 4 stars!!"

2.5 stars stars with a lead weight hanging on my thumb.

CL

If you buy this, you will absolutely go blind...

Sold it to another AVS member.
Wow, expect a lawsuit from the person you sold it to :D

Shaolin Soccer was Mainland China. Stephen Chow. If you liked that, someone will instantly tell you to check out Kung Fu Hustle. They'd be right to do so.
Shaolin Soccer was Hong Kong, not Mainland China. If you liked Shaolin Soccer it doesn't necessarily mean you will like any other Stephen Chow film. I LOVE Shaolin Soccer but can't stand any of his other movies.

Wow, expect a lawsuit from the person you sold it to :D


Shaolin Soccer was Hong Kong, not Mainland China. If you liked Shaolin Soccer it doesn't necessarily mean you will like any other Stephen Chow film. I LOVE Shaolin Soccer but can't stand any of his other movies.

D'oh! Sorry, I knew that too. My wife always makes me watch his film's in Mandarin (her first language) and so I never get to hear them in Cantonese. (which drives me crazy) I assume it's not from Hong Kong when it's in Mandarin. So I guess my brain crossed a wire.

But I think it's valid to say someone who liked Shaolin Soccer would like Kung Fu Hustle. The over the top nature of the fights and the slap stick at play (not to mention a gag or two in one that references the other) make them more alike than different.

As for his other movies, I would have never said, "If you liked Shaolin Soccer, you'll like "A Chinese Oddesy part 1 and 2". Those really are different films. (and different directors as well)

Just watched my netflix copy last night. Whatever you think of the movie, you have to admit the PQ was awesome.

If they cut out the scenes with the daughter, the movie would have absolutely no sympathetic characters.

I agree. The scene with the daughter trying to escape from the sewer was the best part of the movie.

My wife hollered at me (again).

"Why do you rent movies like this!!!" "Well, it was rated like, almost 4 stars!!"

Lol. My wife would have said the same thing, so I watched after she went to bed.

Definitely not a movie I would watch w/ my wife! (she wouldn't last 10 minutes)

But I think it's valid to say someone who liked Shaolin Soccer would like Kung Fu Hustle.
Shaolin Soccer has the least amount of "degradation humor" among all of Chow's movies.

Some of this might be cultural. (I know, I know, I'm playing that 'card'.)

It's extremely common in Korean cinema for the tone of the movies to fly all over the place like this.



Its not that it changed tones, its just that the film didn't do it smoothly. For example: If you have seen Foul King (another Kang Ho Song starring film) it handles this kind of change throughout the film a lot better. Its the directors fault on The Host.

I am a huge fan of asian cinema and I have been importing asian films for many many years (I actually own more asian films than us films) and for me this was just bizarrely (is that a word :p ) strange and I didn't get into it at all.

Anyways, If you like it you like it, if not then get rid of it :)

Hilarious. I enjoyed it very much and what a picture. I watched this one by myself but this is the perfect flick to have some friends over and throw back some shooters and just have a good time.

I don't think you need to pay attention to every moment on this one. It's like good background music while visiting with friends and having a laugh while showing off a reference disk at the same time.

The English dub cracked me up it was so bad as was the acting..So bad to the point that I enjoyed it.

Rick

Wow, expect a lawsuit from the person you sold it to :D

Heh, though I do consider my poor review of it adequate disclaimer...

WARNING:Film may affect eyesight

MEC2

This was an extremely well made movie. The cinematography was some of the best I have seen in quite awhile. I understand this may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

And yes, the PQ is top notch.

This overrated movie can be compared to underrated movies like Starship Troopers. This is yet another YMMV title.

This is yet another YMMV title.

Aren't they all?

Finally got it via Netflix. Very disappointed and a waste of time IMHO. My two cents is there lots better out there. I stuck with it to see if it got any better but sadly no!

I loved it but wouldn't watch a second of it again.
Way too much over the top acting from that region.
You could count on your hand the number of times the family screams at each other and rolls around on the floor about how much they love or miss someone.

Picked this up at Best Buy for $20 on sale yesterday. Looking forward to checking it out.

This was an extremely well made movie. The cinematography was some of the best I have seen in quite awhile. I understand this may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

And yes, the PQ is top notch.


I thoroughly enjoyed it too! And YES - Great picture (and sound!)

I found the image quality to be kind of a mixed blessing. Dark material looked great, daylight material less so because the digital sharpening applied was much more obvious in the brighter parts. The sharpening gives the picture a digital and somewhat harsh appearance. Noise/grain is pronounced. High contrast edges have thin halos. In addition some smearing from grain filtering was visible at times.
Not a particularly film like transfer. But it sure is very sharp looking. Credits are pixel precise pin sharp 1080p.

I owned this film as HD-DVD,great pic.transfer,sound in DTS-HD 5.1.My opinion just buy it,since this movie made by Korean which have a different culture and you must think as Asian family to see this film.