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'The Host' Rewrites the Monster-Movie Rules The average monster movie spends most of its time introducing us to characters we hope will die sooner rather than later. The Host, by Korean director Bong Joon-ho, inverts this formula with amazing success.

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'The Host' Rewrites the Monster-Movie Rules

Heard on All Things Considered

By 

Rick Kleffel

'The Host' Rewrites the Monster-Movie Rules

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The average monster movie spends most of its time introducing us to characters we hope will die sooner rather than later. The Host, by Korean director Bong Joon-ho, inverts this formula with amazing success.

The movie pits a 40-foot mutant salamander against a squabbling family that must stick together to save itself. It's a film that moves effortlessly from scenes of grief to slapstick comedy, and back again.

Rick Kleffel reports for member station KUSP.