Andrew Niccol’s sci-fi flick ‘The Host’ preview!

This March Andrew Niccol will release his latest movie The Host based on the novel with the same title written by Stephanie Meyer (famous from the Twilight Saga). I must admit that I was only vaguely aware of the movie and so far tried to avoid because of its association with the afore-mentioned Twilight writer. However, upon reading the synopsis and viewing the trailer I think it is at least worthy of proper preview. In essence the story resembles others relying on teenage-angst and impossible romance. Though it would seem that Andrew Niccol has managed to insert a good deal of drama and thought-provoking sci-fi to make it all worthwhile for those less interested in watching Kristen Stewart clones. With a budget of just 44 million there is some risk that the movie can’t deliver in the special effects department(much like the last Twilight movie).

The synopsis…

THE HOST is a riveting story about the survival of love and the human spirit in a time of war. Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact. Most of humanity has succumbed. When Melanie (Saoirse Ronan), one of the few remaining “wild” humans, is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading “soul” who has been given Melanie’s body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn’t expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.

It does seem that Andrew Niccol is again reusing themes from his past movies. In Gattaca there was the brotherly relationship between Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke) and Jerome Morrow (Jude Law) while The Truman Show had a father and son type relationship between Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey) and Christof (Ed Harris). From the plot synopsis and the trailer it would seem that the two main protagonists (if there really are two) have a sort of unwilling sisterly relationship. Personally I think this gives rise to optimism as there is less risk of having to watch a Twilight type movie. Instead with a bit of luck it could be more like The Hunger Games and I can think of worse movies to watch…

The Host is scheduled for a March 29th release and will star Saoirse Ronan, Jake Abel, Diane Kruger and William Hurt.

Below is the trailer for ‘The Host’…

Source; www.scificool.com