Beastly

Beastly tries to reinvent the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast with a modern twist, but it mostly trips over its own feet. While the premise is promising, the execution leaves much to be desired.

A Modern Fairy Tale Twist

Set in contemporary New York City, Beastly follows the story of Kyle Kingson, a wealthy and self-absorbed high school student who becomes cursed by a witch after being cruel to a girl at school. Transformed into a hideous beast, Kyle must navigate the challenges of his new appearance while seeking love and redemption. The story is primarily about his attempts to win back Lindy Taylor, a girl he initially disregarded. As he learns valuable lessons about kindness and self-acceptance, the film clumsily juggles themes of beauty and superficiality, yet lacks depth in its narrative, resulting in a predictable arc that feels rushed and underdeveloped.

Performances That Miss the Mark

Alex Pettyfer's performance as Kyle is passable, though he often falls into the trap of wooden acting rather than conveying the character's emotional turmoil. Vanessa Hudgens, as Lindy, brings some charm but is ultimately underutilized, overshadowed by the film's lack of character development. Mary-Kate Olsen as the witch Kendra possesses an interesting character idea but ends up feeling more like a plot device than a fully realized character. The supporting cast, including Neil Patrick Harris as Will, also don’t receive the screen time needed to flesh out their roles, leaving the audience wanting more substance from everyone involved.

Inconsistent Style and Effects

Director Daniel Barnz's approach lacks a cohesive style; the visual elements appear scattershot, with some scenes attempting to be moody while others are overly bright and cheerful. The cinematography does little to elevate the story, often resorting to clichéd angles and uninspired framing. The special effects used to depict Kyle's transformation into the beast are subpar, failing to evoke any real sense of empathy or horror. The pacing suffers due to uneven editing, with some moments dragging on while others rush to resolve character arcs, making it challenging to fully engage with the film’s aesthetics.

Frustratingly Predictable

Watching Beastly can be a frustrating experience. The film oscillates between trying to deliver heartfelt moments and falling into tired romantic tropes. As Kyle learns to become a better person, viewers might find themselves checking the runtime, wishing for better pacing. The emotional beats feel forced rather than genuine, and moments that should resonate often come off as superficial. By the time the film reaches its conclusion, it’s hard to shake the feeling that it squandered its potential, leaving you with a sense of incompleteness rather than satisfaction.