The Host

Based on the bestselling book by Stephenie Meyer (The Twilight Saga), The Host is a tedious, talky adaptation of the futuristic love story, in which Earth is occupied by seemingly benign extraterrestrials, or Souls, that erase the minds of their human hosts, leaving their bodies intact and their eyes crystalline blue. Since the Souls direct everything toward peace and the common good, the ills of war, hunger, and violence have been eradicated. In this utopia (the environment has also been healed), everything is available, so stealing is senseless. “Our world has never been more perfect,” the opening narration intones. Feisty Melanie Stryder (Saoirse Ronan) is one of the last surviving humans, defying the body-snatchers and risking her life to free those she loves: Jared (Max Irons), Ian (Jake Abel), her younger brother Jamie (Chandler Canterbury), and her Uncle Jeb (William Hurt) and Aunt Maggie (Frances Fisher), who live in a large cave in Arizona. Meanwhile, an obsessed Seeker (Diane Kruger)—aka enforcer—is following Melanie's tracks, determined to wipe out the last of the guerilla resistance. Most of the conflict winds up occurring inside Melanie's head, as she fights her own host, nicknamed Wanda. Directed by Andrew Niccol, The Host is absurdly silly, slow-paced, and devoid of action. Not recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by author/producer Stephenie Meyer, screenwriter-director Andrew Niccol, and producer Nick Wechsler, a “Bringing The Host to Life” behind-the-scenes featurette (8 min.), deleted scenes (3 min.), a brief “Seeker PSA,” and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus DVD, digital, and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a disappointing adaptation.] (S. Granger)