critics attack The Beach like sharks

Rating: 7/10 (13 February 2000)

There are certainly some confusing elements to The Beach and, in it's ambition to acheive more than mere entertainment, it occasionally loses it's head of steam. However, the film nonetheless has a number of things going for it, not the least of which are the actors, the locations and the wonderful homage it pays to a number of films from the past, including Lord of the Flies and Appocolypse Now. And that doesn't mean the film is lacking story, it's got more than enough of that to sustain interest over two hours.
I have been surprised to note that many critics have attacked the movie and I can't help but think this is largely because they don't like Leo, perhaps feeling a male hero must surface only in the mold of a Bruce Willis or Harrison Ford. I'm glad to see the sensitive guy get a chance and, Roger Ebert's approval or not, Leo is compelling and believable.
It's not a great movie but it's a real good one and if you wanna go on a trip for two hours I'd certainly reccomend you head for The Beach.