Review of Beastly (2011) by General G — 16 Mar 2013

I liked this! Wasn't too much of a teen movie in your face or typical love scenario. As with most of these remakes or original adaptation of previous movies or novels, it was very different, unique but modern with a twist.

I will get the story out of the way first because well...it was based off Beauty and the Beast stories. I enjoyed very much. I was pleased with the original touch they put in it and the new generation touch as well. It really was romantic with a cute side to it as well. The whole movie stayed in a good or light mood. No bad person or some sad scene that happen. The entire movie stayed upbeat with positive feeling. Yes a little serious and emotional feel but too much that you was drowning in it. Wasn't too fast, wasn't too slow either. I was able to stay with the timeline of the story which was within a year's time and never got lost. Even the ending was good although it been much more of ending.

The cast did okay. I mean, it still was a teen movie so don't expect some serious dramatic acting but the acting was okay nonetheless though. I do feel that is was that serious dramatic feel that was missing from it though. I would have liked to have seen a really emotional scene or something just go terrible wrong and you just gasped but...they stayed with everything just perfect attitude for the actors/actresses. Not saying the good and kindness of some of the performers was wrong because it actually was good for certain roles. Neil's character was fine like that. He was the jester in the movie and did well.

One twist I like is the main character, Kyle or aka the Beast...since its based from that. They didn't actually make him a monstrous beast with fangs, fur, claws, 6 and a half foot tall and super strength or what ever but they just made him....ugly...which I liked! That showed some originality! The design was right on the money with that one, I must say. That choice of make-up it what really made this version of the Beauty and the Beast stand out for sure.

The romance was good too. Was nice to see a somewhat real teen love story with some fantasy to it but not too much though. That is another unique thing I like. It wasn't all fantasy! The witch played by Mary-Kate was more of Goth Voodoo Witch. Good choice with that. I like the somewhat serious feel with the house maid trying to keep our main character happy even though she was going through her own battles and so was Neil's character too. And in the end, got a a little dramatic with the beast finally learning his and lessons and change his ways and those around him that stay with him through this were blessed as well.

Overall...not bad. It was entertaining to me. I can watch this again. Maybe for movie night or with a date lol. It had a great moral and lesson to be learned from it! That's another thing I like. I really felt that message and that is why the ending wasn't that bad but could use a little more work but I mean with our main character finally just coming to terms of how he really feel for this girl but yet he decides to let her go and take his fate...and for that, he was awarded. Luckily they didn't put any song and dance in it or it really would be flat out bad for me lol. So yeah, it was a true good love movie.