Customer Reviews

The Beach

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(43)
3 star:		(28)
2 star:		(24)
1 star:		(42)

 

 

Danny Boyle is one of my favorite directors. Slum Dog Millionaire is amazing. Trainspotting and shallow grave are classics. The book the beach is one of my favorites. How they managed to mess this one up so badly is beyond me. If your a fan of Boyle or the book stay away from this disaster.

The Beach, directed by Danny Boyle and based on the book written by Alex Garland, is one of the most dissapointing movies I have ever seen. I have read the book three different times, and the movie does this novel no justice. I love Danny Boyle as a director, and to his credit, the cinematography, music, and style of this film is great. However, the character development, symbolism, and much of the scenes in the book do not come across in the movie. As usual, the book is better than the movie, and this movie is worse than most.

"The Beach" reminds me of "Lord of the Flies" but instead of boys being stranded on a deserted island, it is about young adults that live on an island that has an idyllic secluded beach and communal lifestyle. One side of the island is home to a 60s type of "hippie" commune, and the other side is occupied by a large scale pot growing operation that is watched over closely by armed guards. The two groups have managed to coexist by remaining mutually exclusive. There appears to be no property ownership or governance on the island even though it is within sight of mainland Thailand. To enjoy the movie, you have to get past the unlikelihood of a present day "lost paradise". L.DiCaprio plays Richard, a kind of rogue male, one of three new members of the commune. In his testosterone pumping youth and immaturity, he finds himself unwilling to abide by the rules as directed by its matriarch. The main rule involves strict secrecy about the beach, the commune, and how to get there. Away from the restrictions and limitations of the society from which he came, DiCaprio's character feels free to challenge others and himself. Because of his behaviour, he is ostracized from the commune, and goes "native". He implodes upon himself. Richard is instrumental is causing conflict between the island's inhabitants, and the downfall of the commune. Like "Lord of the Flies", this movie is about what could happen when people are removed from the watchful eyes of society. Some strive to maintain the "civilized" values from their past. For others, the dark side of the psyche is unleashed, self-discipline gives way to chaos, and chaos leads to destruction. In both this movie and "Lord of the Flies", society is viewed as the controlling force over man's unbridled instinctual nature - an interesting concept.

Grandson (19) and Granddaughter (21) are off to Thailand for a holiday in May with friends. This movie will caution them about the choices they make while travelling. Grampa T.

this is one intense movie going experience.i don't wanna give too much
away,but it has echoes of Lord of the Flies.if i'm not mistaken it's
also similar to King Rat.it's directed by Danny Boyle(Train Spotting,28
days Later)and Stars Leonardo DiCaprio,Tilda Swinton and Robert
Carlyle.anyway,there's some great acting here.Tilda Swinton in
particular impressed me.the dialogue is also well written.really the
whole movie is well written.plus there is a high element of suspense
and danger.it's based on a novel by Alex Garland,but i haven't read the
novel,so i can't compare.i may just try to find the novel,so i can
compare.as a movie though it's quite well done.for me,The Beach is a
4.5/5

Let me start by saying that The Beach has got to be one of the most underrated movies of 2000. Here and there people were saying "It was pointless" or "It was boring". The Beach first of all, is not a completely pointless movie. It actually displays kind of an interesting theme of the existence of paradise, one that many movies have never explored. And in terms of being boring, The Beach may not have tremendous explosions or boat chases, but if you watch it with an open mind, you will find it very captivating. Here's the story: Richard(Leonardo DiCaprio) is a young American traveler, seeking an adventure away from the beaten tourist path. Staying in Thailand, Richard meets joint-smoking, manic Daffy (Robert Caryle) who rattles on and on about a secret beach that is suppoedly flawless in all ways. The next morning, Richard finds that Daffy has killed himself, but left behind a map, showing the way to The Beach. After persuading Francoise(Virginie Ledoyen who is simply gorgeous) and her boyfriend Etienne(Guillaume Canet)to come along with him, the three embark ona journey to the island, where they find two different groups of people, flourish with one peacefully for weeks, and live life it's fullest. However, when Richard begins seeing Daffy everywhere he goes, he begins to discover that beyond the shores of paradise lies something darker and terrifying. The acting in the film is acceptable, but DiCaprio and Caryle steal the show as the unlikely duo of Richard and Daffy. The scenery is simply beautiful as well. As for mood, the film starts out as an adventure with occasional humor, but slowly transforms into a cross between a horror film and a thriller, growing darker, more disturbing, and much more violent. Many people say that the film cannot decide what it wants to be, but then again that fits with the theme of the story. Three travelers find what they believe is paradise and unexpectedly turn it into a living nightmare. Ignore all of the negative reviews and rent this movie. If it's made by the same team that did "Trainspotting" and "Shallow Grave", it can't be bad.

Derivative, inconsistent plot meets with Generation X special effects (a "life as a video-game sequence, woo-hoo!). The result: A very long movie which leaves you feeling like you'll pay in the afterlife for having wasted two hours of your life on it. And it could have been worse! The deleted scenes in the DVD include a "Stomp"-like sequence, which shows how misguided this project truly was! If Di Caprio wanted to shed the teen-heart rob image by turning himself into the American version of Ewan McGregor's Renton, it is safe to say he failed miserably. "The Beach" is a far cry from "Trainspotting" - in fact, the former's so bad, it makes you wonder whether the same Danny Boyle was behind the two films! It's no wonder Mr. Boyle hasn't been heard from in awhile (he's been mostly relegated to TV duties). Heck, I was so disappointed and disgusted with "The Beach," I almost sold my "Trainspotting" DVD! We can only Boyle rebounds like Kevin Smith did after his dismal "Mallrats."

Two words really describe this movie: Pig Vomit.

Derivative, inconsistent plot meets with Generation X special effects (a "life as a video-game sequence, woo-hoo!). The result: A very long movie which leaves you feeling like you'll pay in the afterlife for having wasted two hours of your life on it. And it could have been worse! The deleted scenes in the DVD include a "Stomp"-like sequence, which shows how misguided this project truly was! If Di Caprio wanted to shed the teen-heart rob image by turning himself into the American version of Ewan McGregor's Renton, it is safe to say he failed miserably. "The Beach" is a far cry from "Trainspotting" - in fact, the former's so bad, it makes you wonder whether the same Danny Boyle was behind the two films! It's no wonder Mr. Boyle hasn't been heard from in awhile (he's been mostly relegated to TV duties). Heck, I was so disappointed and disgusted with "The Beach," I almost sold my "Trainspotting" DVD! We can only Boyle rebounds like Kevin Smith did after his dismal "Mallrats."

Two words really describe this movie: Pig Vomit.

I found the beach to be excellent viewing, when you hear many negative things about a film, you are inquisitive to find out for yourself. Whilst watching the film i noticed how the storyline became more and more interesting, i didn't, at any point want to stop watching the film. It mixes small traces of city life, with the reality of being on a desert island. Intelligent script writing and talented acting produced an excellent film, with depth, that i personally feel is very underrated.

first of all, i give this movie 10 stars!!!! i thought it was great. i read some pretty bad reviews from rodger ebert. but, can we trust everything and old guy like him thinks about movies!!!! i loved it. it's a teenager movie!!!!!! i think that's why i liked it so much. i thought it was a great story and i really loved the ending. i thought that the casting was great too!!!!!! two thumbs way up!!!!! Leo is awsome!!!!!!