"The Host" Is a Korean Blockbuster

The Host is not your typical monster movie.  Yes, the monster was created by mans excesses, and yes many a limb is ripped off, but who is the real enemy?  Where are the missile laden gunships, and tanks roaming the streets?  South Korea has produced a monster that is slightly smaller, and slightly more timid, than his big brother from Japan.  And because this monster seems to rank low on the Saffir Simpson scale the government does not seem to pay him much heed, as you can see in the breakdown.

What is the real message of this movie?  The director himself said it was not a strict polemic against American imperialism.  Remember, a stupid American soldier saved a few lives by confronting the beast.  A case can be made for family values.  Certainly the Parks bonded and grew to respect each other for their differences, even if half of them died.  But I think we are missing the point by trying to look too deep.  What do we see at the start and end of the film?  How is the monster spending its time?  Eating.  Gang-du eats a lot, the homeless kid eats a lot, and most importantly, the Monster eats a lot.  The timeline explains everything.