When good books go bad

Rating: 3/10 (27 February 2007)

The Beach is a prime example of when a good book turned into a movie goes bad...
The Beach tells the story of an American traveller in Bangkok - looking for the ultimate experience. He befriends a Scottish traveller who, after suiciding, gives the American a map to a secret beach - the most beautiful beach in the world (or so the story goes)...
The Beach feels like a bit of a train-wreck of a movie. Leonard De Caprio - although a talented actor - feels so uncomfortable as the lead.
Danny Boyle (most famous for the film Trainspotting) gives a bit of visual flair to this movie (as well as a pretty good soundtrack) - but with no soul.
The action feels forced and un-thrilling. The actors on the whole feel way too hammy.
You don't really get to feel for Richard (the main character) and his transition over to the "dark side" probably because Leonard couldn't act his way out of a paper bag in this movie.
And what is with that video game dream sequence - it probably rates as one of the most embarrassing scenes ever committed on film...