DVD of the week: The Host

Based on the book by Stephenie Meyer, The Host is a romantic sci-fi film in which human bodies have been taken over by Souls.

Without bodies of their own, the Souls have travelled to different worlds and taken over host bodies in order to survive. Earth is one of the planets they have taken over and humanity is all but extinct.

Melanie Stryder is one of the few surviving humans and she would rather die than become a host. When trapped by the Souls’ version of the police, the Seekers, she tries to take her own life, but fails.

She becomes the host to Wanderer, a new arrival on Earth. But to Wanderer’s shock, Melanie is not about to give up her body or her previous life without a fight.

I enjoyed the film as much as the book, which isn’t something that happens often. But, judging from my husband’s reaction to the movie, not everyone will like it.

I think that people who haven’t read the book, might not enjoy this film.

It is not a sci-fi film full of special effects, laser guns and over-the-top action. The Host focuses more on the people in the film and their emotions.

In other words, if you are expecting something along the lines of Star Trek, you’ll be disappointed.