'The Host' movie review: New Orleans-shot sci-fi romance is 'Twilight' in disguise

'The Host' photo gallery
(Gallery by Mike Scott, | The Times-Picayune)
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on March 29, 2013 at 6:30 AM, updated March 29, 2013 at 6:38 AM

There's much talk of souls in "The Host," a sci-fi romance set in a future in which alien beings have possessed the bodies of nearly every human on Earth. Ironic, then, that this New Orleans-shot film ends up being such a soulless affair.

Some of that lack of resonance might have to do with the fact that director Andrew Niccol's film -- based on the book by "Twilight" creator Stephenie Meyer -- barters any meaningful character development for a fast start. Some of it might have to do with the fact that the film's protagonist is a disembodied voice for so much of the movie.

More likely, though, it's because Niccol and Meyer -- who co-produces this, her first post-"Twilight" film -- choose to trade away any shred of the ripe social subtext that has made other body-snatcher films so rich. In its place: the kind of supernatural, star-crossed romance that generates so much swooning from Team "Twilight."

From a financial standpoint, it's hard to blame them. That formula has proven it can make money by the truckload. What it doesn't make, however -- at least not here -- is a particularly compelling story.

What we end up with isn't the smart-sci film, laden with social subtext, that "The Host" at times feels like it wants to become. Rather, we get one of the smoochiest, most melodramatic alien-invasion movies one could imagine.

In fact, much of "The Host" will feel familiar to any "Twilight" fan paying moderately close attention: We have a strong-willed, angst-ridden young woman undergoing a supernatural transition. We have a love triangle that includes her, the alien occupying her body and two handsome young studs. (OK, so maybe it's more of a quadrilateral, but you get the idea. It's a geometric romance of some sort.) And we have kissing in the rain.

Those familiar flourishes are only that much more frustrating considering the whole thing boasts an admittedly intriguing setup: Saoirse Ronan ("Atonement," "The Lovely Bones") plays a smart, strong young woman named Melanie, who also happens to be one of the last people on Earth to have avoided being occupied by an invading alien species.

When she is captured in the film's opening minutes, Melanie is informed that she, like so many humans before her, will become host to a glowing, fist-sized being that looks like a cross between a 120-watt lightbulb and a jellyfish. What's worse: that being will displace her consciousness with its own. (But at least she is told this gently and politely. These body-snatchers are nothing if not civilized -- a trait they see as woefully lacking in humans. And that's the closest "The Host" comes to offering social commentary.)

But Melanie's new alien overlords quickly learn that not all humans are created equal. Unlike other puny Earthlings, this one's not going quietly. She's got a kid brother to care for, after all. She's got a handsome boyfriend to press herself against. In other words, she has things to live for -- and to fight for, which is exactly what she does.

Rather than surrendering and allowing her consciousness to be snuffed like a candle by her new alien possessor, named Wanderer -- or "Wanda" for short, and I did not make that up -- the scrappy Melanie sticks around, tormenting her alien possessor from inside of their own shared skull.

What she doesn't expect is to find a sympathetic soul there, one that understands her plight on some level -- and, to a degree, that of all humans. Neither does she expect to develop a friendship with it as she takes it on the run in the hopes of finding refuge out West. (In addition to Louisiana, the film shot for a time in New Mexico.)

The resulting inner struggle creates a few laughs, as Melanie objects strenuously to Wanderer kissing her boyfriend -- or any boy for that matter. A few of those laughs are even intentional. All the while, alien "seekers" -- with their glowing pupils, white suits and chrome vehicles -- pursue doggedly, led by a menacing Diane Kruger.

Alas, the breathless action suggested by that setup never really materializes -- outside of a few scenes -- and the story never quite feels as polished as Niccol's film looks. As a result, "The Host" never offers any real surprises for anyone familiar with Meyer's work.

That doesn't necessarily mean there won't be a sequel. The ending leaves the possibility wide open, and Niccol and company have openly discussed their desire to shoot a follow-up. Meyer is already writing the story.

Let's hope that by the time such a sequel arrives, the story will have acquired a soul of its own.


2 stars, out of 5

Snapshot: A sci-fi romance -- set in a future in which the bodies of most humans have been occupied by alien beings -- about a young woman determined to resist being overtaken. Shot partly in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, it is based on the book by "Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer.

What works: It's an intriguing setup, and director Andrew Niccol's high-polished film looks nice.

What doesn't: What could have been a smart sci-fi film descends into gooey, meaningless romance.

Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Jake Able, Max Irons, Diane Kruger, William Hurt. Director: Niccol. Rating: PG-13, for some sensuality and violence. Runtime: 2 hours 5 minutes. Where: Canal Place, Elmwood Palace, Clearview Palace, Westbank Palace, Hammond Palace, LaPlace Hollywood 7, Kenner Hollywood 9, Covington Hollywood 14, Slidell Grand, Perkins Rowe (Baton Rouge), Baton Rouge Citiplace 11, Baton Rouge 16, Mall of Louisiana (Baton Rouge), Baton Rouge Grand. Find New Orleans showtimes.