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The Host Remake
It’s funny to be talking about a remake to a film that I know most of you haven’t had the chance to see yet, but it’s in the works anyways. The Korean film “The Host” (which I thought was really good… but not quite as good some people who seem a little too overly generous with slapping the term “GENIUS” on any Asian film with a subtitle) has been going around smashing a few international markets box office records and has generated a lot of buzz (you can see my review of it from January below).
So, it should come as no surprise that Universal has picked up the rights to do a North American remake of The Host… and they’ll probably get started on it pretty damn soon to take advantage of the existing buzz. The director of The Host (Bong Joon-ho) seems to have a really good perspective on the news:
“If The Host [remake] comes out, and there’s a cool director who takes it on and makes it a real great film, then I’d be very happy… On the other hand, if it’s just crap, I think I’d be happy, too, because then people would be like, ‘Oh, yeah, Bong’s original was really good.’ So, for me, it’s a win-win situation. But Universal has a tradition of doing horror and creature films, so I anticipate that they will do a great film.”
Now, I know what some of you are going to say: “This is stupid. They should just give the original a wider release here in North America”! And I can sympathize with that thought… however… it doesn’t take reality into consideration. Generally speaking, the North American movie going audience doesn’t embrace subtitled films. It’s sad that this is the case… and I wish it wasn’t so… but it is the case nonetheless. It therefore makes a lot more sense for Universal to take the story, and remake it in a form that will be better received by North American audiences. You really can’t blame them.
I loved that Bong Joon-Ho quote too. The guy has a really good way of looking at it.
Still… if you get the chance to see the Original, do it. I think most people would like it.
(Here is the original review I did for The Host back in January)
It is too bad that this is a reality for this great film… I very much enjoyed seeing it at VIFF 2006 and actually shrieked at one part (and I am not easily pulled into vocalising in a theatre packed with people… and I wasn’t the only one!)
I had the good fortune to hear Bong Joon-Ho speak at the VIFF Trade Forum as well. He was down-to-earth and personable with great stories and insight into getting a film such as this off the ground and the challenges of a mostly daylight shoot (no where to hide the creature), about the concept of the creature (how many effect shots he wanted and how many he got = much less) etc… I actually made a couple of notes because I liked his ideas about the inception of the character… anyway, as you said, he seems to have a great attitude about the remake and MAYBE more people will also see the original when they go to see or see the remake? Here is hoping.
Best,
Meghan
I just saw The Host this past Saturday & I thought it was pretty good, especially liked the subtle comedy. The sad part is the only way a mass US audience is going to see this film is by way of a remake. I have plenty of friends who refuse to sit through subtitled films, so I know for a fact the Korean Host will not be seen in the theaters by most.
I saw the host and found it entertaining but not as good as the reviews would make it out to be. I could not get into the characters due the melodrama and their emotional responses, also some of the motivations of the supporting characters made no sense.
That being said some of the scenes were genius, you should really check it out as Bong deserves accolades for that alone. An American version could take the best parts and add a family drama that is more relatable to this audience. My fear is that they stick to family stereo-types and screw it up.
Oh, Great. ANother great movie that WE have to steal because we ran out of all our original ideas. What the fuck is going on? Seriously. We have to start stealing movies now before they even get released in their own countries. Jesus. I’m still going to hope this doesn’t happen. There is a chance. Oldboy fell through, and it doesn’t look like BR is happening either, so we will see. We will just give up on this, because lets face it, when is the last time we actually made a decent monster movie?? Asian film gets away with alot more, because their not as politically correct as us. ANd they don’t rely on special effects to tell their story, they rely on the story itself. And can you actually believe their remaking My Sassy girl with that stupid blonde from 24??
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
I agree John, it is sad, I have such a hard time getting friends and family to watch subtitled films and they are really missing out on some quality movies.
I see these types of films as adaptions, “remake” is such a filthy word nowadays.
Nord
I agree Nord. “Adaptation” is a better phrase for something like this
I agree with johns sentiments here except for the part about people being overly genius with slapping genius onto any asian film……while I agree that does seem to happen a lot…i did not for the life see what everyone saw in “crouching tiger hidden dragon” – everyone went on about the amazing fights….it looked like people on wires … it just looked stupid to me and the story was terrible…if the film had been made in america in english it would have been a cheesy groanfest…..so while I think some films are not deserving the host totally fucking is as it is fucking awesome…..you should all see it before this remake is made as I have no doubt a lot of the cleverness thgta makes it great will be mashed around ..the point completely missed and turned into easily digestable mainstream pap…..this is a great great film and one that I feel totally deserves the genius tag…I loved it….
Well what I do when a foreign movie is “adapted” (as Nord put it) I see the adaptation and then I see the original and appreciate both.
I have to agree that this flick was good not great. I found it really entertaining except for the family dynamic, but with that said, this is what Sony’s Godzilla should have been. If they ever do a sequel they should get this guy to direct.
Dang, I got word pwned!!!!
I stand corrected.
Nord