"Beastly" is the perfect single-word definition of this contemporary take on the classic story of "Beauty and the Beast." Once the movie began, it was hard to escape the complete clutter of a script, along with the juvenile emotions and ultra-campy performances. Sorry, but there are no talking household objects or catchy songs to dance to; "Beastly" just contains plenty of unconvincing romance complemented by immature acting.
Based on the novel of the same name by Alex Flinn, the film opens with Kyle Kingson (Alex Pettyfer) giving a speech on why he should be the president of his high school Green Club. Kyle shows his egotistical, vacuous persona as he looks down upon people who are less privileged than he. He even goes as far as to invite witchy fellow student Kendra (Mary Kate Olsen) to a party only to premeditatedly blow her off. As a result, Kendra curses Kyle with a "hideous" transformation that turns him into a "beast."
Here is where the modern take on the standard tale becomes completely absurd. In order to break the spell, Kyle must find someone who will love him despite his grotesque appearance. His one last hope is Lindy (Vanessa Hudgens), who Kyle offers shelter after her drug-addicted father kills his dealer.
Afterwards, the film unravels around romantic misunderstandings and becomes easily predictable. As a devoted lover of cinema, I consider Walt Disney's classic animated story to be a masterpiece, presenting its theme on inner beauty the way that it should be presented. In "Beastly," the story defines "ugliness" as a young shave headed man with some tattoos and scars that make Kyle look more like a "James Bond" villain than a "beast."
Hudgens is an even bigger problem. It seems like she just can't break free from her cutesy persona in "High School Musical." Her acting isn't well assisted by the script, forcing her to say "I've seen worse" and "I guess the cage set me free." The chemistry, which is an important factor in a romance film, between her and dully brooding Pettyfer is totally nonexistent.
Even Neil Patrick Harris's (How I Met Your Mother) spot-stealing performance as Kyle's blind tutor couldn't save this film. His character manages to provide some comic relief to the utterly disappointing romance, delivering plenty of clever, comedic lines. The talented Lisa Gay Hamilton (Men of a Certain Age) is also lost in the mix as the housekeeper that provides Kyle with some old-country perception.
While "Beastly" presents a worthy message, its presentation is awkwardly shallow. A film like this would have shown potential had the producer hired a better writer and better actors for the leads. It definitely didn't capture Alex Flinn's intent since good-looking actors were cast in a story that supposedly values personality and benevolence over outward beauty. But if you're willing to sit through a movie filled with manufactured romance, pathetic dialogue and tasteless effects, then "be our guest."