Very surprised, for a few good reasons.

Rating: 10/10 (16 February 2000)

Let me just begin by saying that this review may be seen by some as biased. I didn't like DiCaprio in Titanic, and thought that he overacted terribly. There, now on with the review. There are no spoilers, so don't worry.
The Beach is one of the best films I have seen in a long time, Leonardo DiCaprio was supurb as Richard, and he complimented the script very well with romance, action and psycho turns that were as disturbing as they were scary.
The supporting cast were very good, and Danny Boyle's direction was spot on. You would think that the plot line (boy goes to find Beach and live there) would not be that interesting, but this film is so much more. It is a tale of intrigue, romance, jealousy, and action, which is perfectly surrounded by the most beautiful environment I have ever seen. Lets just hope the rumors were wrong, and they left it the way they found it.
If Leonardo ever needed a boost into respectable movies after the mediocre Titanic, then this is it. It might not take half as much at the box office, but dumps all over it in all other areas.
Simply unmissable. A classic.
Neil