Leo has outlived the "Titanic" wave

Rating: Null/10 (16 February 2000)

First of all, I think old Leo got a once in a lifetime deal with "Titanic." Was that a great movie? Well yeah, but other than that he really doesn't have much going for him. Titanic fans will definitely be disappointed with "The Beach." The film starts really well. It is an interesting story about a traveling college age guy, played by DiCaprio, that is trying to find himself like so many other people his age. This carefree, open-minded, and adventurous guy finds himself in Thailand with an opportunity of a lifetime set before him: the chance to travel to a beautiful hidden beach on a remote island (with Pot all over it to boot). Right around halfway through, the story takes a turn for the worse. It's almost like another director took over halfway through production. Or maybe it was one of those half written scripts that somebody else finished. Either way the movie certainly went downhill from there. A few minutes are even seen as a video game in which Leo runs through a jungle. I'm not sure if he was delusional or just high, but the movie definitely turns from interesting drama to a weird "Apocalypse Now" rendition.I haven't read Alex Garland's book, but I have to believe that it's better than John Hodge and Danny Boyle's version. I can't really recommend this movie, even though I know all the DiCaprio fans will go anyway. Just don't say I didn't warn you. D+