First it was the superhero flick. Then vampires, werewolves and other fantastical creatures were the trend. Now, the latest big screen fad is modernizing classic fairy tales. The Catherine Hardwicke-directed adaptation of “Red Riding Hood,” the recently announced “Snow White and the Huntsman” starring Kristen Stewart and Viggo Mortensen. But first up it’s “Beastly,” a modern retelling of that tale as old as time, “Beauty and the Beast.”
Based on the young adult novel of the same name, “Beastly” tells the story of an attractive and arrogant New York teen named Kyle (Alex Pettyfer) who is cursed by an enchantress (Mary-Kate Olsen) as punishment for his hateful ways. His face and body are covered in hideous scars, and he has a year to find someone to love him for who he truly is or remain beastly forever.
But a girl named Lindy (Vanessa Hudgens) isn’t phased by his appearance, not realizing he is in fact her missing classmate who once ignored her for being different and unpopular. Kyle falls in love with her, but will she love him in return?
I’m not familiar with the novel, but the clips that have been released for this movie look pretty bland. I don’t think even the awesomeness of Neil Patrick Harris can save this movie from being sappy and predictable. I miss the days when teen takes on classic stories were clever, like “10 Things I Hate About You.” In this case, I think I’ll stick with the animated Disney classic.
“Beastly” hits theaters Friday. Check out five clips from the movie below.
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I think that Alex Pettyfer is a new & fresh star on the rise in Hollywood, I really enjoyed his performance in “I Am Number Four”, plus Neil Patrick Harris can uplift even the blandest of movies. But I don’t really see the chemistry between Pettyfer & Hudgens in these clips.
Concerned. Very concerned.