 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Beastly
- Review Date: February 28, 2011
- PG-13
- Genre: Science Fiction
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Lackluster romance is heavy on lessons about superficiality.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this take on the classic Beauty and the Beast story (which is based on the novel by Alex Flinn) is aimed squarely at teens who love all things Twilight. But those drawn to the movie by its stars (High School Musical's Vanessa Hudgens and "it" boy Alex Pettyfer) and basic romantic supernatural storyline might be disappointed by what ends up feeling more like a toothless high school popularity contest movie. Plus, unlike Twilight, this film has some strong language (including "s--t") and underage drinking, as well as kissing, sexual innuendo, and plenty of label-dropping. Witchcraft plays a role in the plot.
What's the story?
Inspired by the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast and based on the novel by Alex Flinn, BEASTLY takes place in present-day Brooklyn and centers on an arrogant, handsome, popular teenager named Kyle (Alex Pettyfer) who must learn about love and humility the hard way. A classmate known to be a witch (Mary-Kate Olsen) puts a hex on him, transforming him into a disfigured, tattooed, bald creature. His way out? Finding a girl who will love him as he is, and for all the right reasons. And he has to find her within one year -- or else he'll stay the way he is forever. Could Lindy (Vanessa Hudgens) -- a down-to-earth scholarship student -- be the one, or is Kyle bound to be undone by his terrible reputation?
Is it any good?
When the best part of your movie is a supporting actor who appears to be channeling his most popular character from a sitcom -- in this case, Neil Patrick Harris as Will, who seems like a blind version of How I Met Your Mother’s Barney -- you know you’re in trouble. BEASTLY lives up to its name: It's inert, unexciting, and sometimes laughable, and not in an intentional way.
Start with the movie's definition of ugly, for instance. Rather than make pretty boy Pettyfer downright hideous (which is called for in this case), Beastly wimps out and goes for a tattooed, slashed, punk-rock skinhead look, with a dose of allergy-induced-looking inflammation here and there. Then there’s the tone, which is ambivalent at best. Is Beastly a supernatural mystery, a high school drama, or a romcom? (Our money is on supernatural mystery, which it abandons fairly quickly.) And what about chemistry? Pettyfer and Hudgens have none. Some storylines, like Kyle’s dynamic with his father (Peter Krause), seem promising, and the film’s look isn’t half-bad (it has a brooding, midnight-in-the-city vibe). And Harris is always a win, whatever role he plays. But honestly, Beastly is pretty blah.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why the witch puts a curse on Kyle when other people at school are superficial and mean, too. How can behavior like that be addressed in real life?
How does the behavior of the teens in this movie compare to how kids treat each other in reality? Does the fantasy element make it seem less hurtful?
What would you say the movie's message is?
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- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Good For Understanding, Mature Teens
Honestly, I liked it.. But what can I say? Its made for people my age. My moms biggest concerns were sexual, language, and role models, oh, and ofcourse, the witch. Im going to address those topics. Sexual? NO. A couple of kisses between movie stars. So, if youre afraid of kissing, dont see the end of this move. language. That IS a bit of an issue. At the dance, Sloane says "a.rose!? .....!?" and Kyle calls Sloane..Role models. OOOHH big one! okay, so as the traditional story goes, Kyle is rude at first. He messes with the witch, and he gets cursed. While he is 'ugly' he is banned in an apartment where nobody can see him because his dad is a self centered jerk the whole movie. Kyle becomes a better person while sharing the company of Lindy, none other than Vanessa Hudgens. But, the movie makes it obvious the good and evil sides of people, specifically Kyle. Okay, the witch. There is a witch in Beauty and the Beast, but she does not play a prominent role. In this movie, although Mary Kate Olsen is an incredibly talented actress, she is a witch. No, it does not offend Chirstianity, but still the fact of witchcraft gets some people excited, with reason. The worst she does is call herself a witch, and say she can do good... that is, if Kyle succeeds. But, there is also a "good witch" in the Wizard of Oz. Just make sure your kids know that there are no good witches and witchcraft does exist, but it is of the devil.
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AGE
Cinema take doesn't quite compare to book, but is still entertaining teaches about real beauty.
Only 2 stars Common Sense? Really? I think this movie deserves more credit from every movie critic out there. It wasn't the best movie in the world, but it wasn't fall-asleep-your-so-bored bad. I found it very funny and entertaining. The beginning of the movie where Kyle harasses Kendra is where all the language is; as the movie goes on though there's less and less of it. Neil Patrick Harris portrays a sarcastic blind tutor so well, everything that came out of his mouth was hilarious. For instance when talking about "baby steps" he suggests Kyle walk up to Lindy and say "Whassup?" Which earns equally sarcastic comebacks and eye rolls. Up above it says there's several close ups of the main character a.k.a Kyle, a.k.a Alex Pettyfer. They say that like it's a bad thing! I mean have you seen the guy!? He's so gorgeous words can't describe it! Though I will admit his American accent got a little iffy at times, but he is English and you could tell when he slipped up (really cute slip ups I might add!). Kyle may start off as a self-absorbed pretty boy, but after falling in love he learns to see the beauty in others and the true beauty in himself; which is a lesson I think the whole world should learn. Comments? Questions? Concerns? Email me: ogormanscommonsense at yahoo. :)
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AGE
This movie i would reccomend for mature kids ages 10 and up. It is a story of seeing a person from the inside not the out. This movie is a wonderful message for 10-14 and i would absolutley reccomend it.
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AGE
I absolutely loved this movie! In my opinion "Common Sense Media" goes overboard about the age to watch this movie. There was nothing in the movie that is disturbing to younger ages including me, and I'm only ten! I defiantly give this movie five stars and if your parents say " You cannot watch this movie because common sense media says you have to be fourteen!", then show them this review!
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Kid, 12 years old
March 9, 2011
AGE
:(
What? Only two stars? I'm so dissapointed. I really wanted to watch this movie- not only because how old it's appropriate for, but how many stars it got? Is this movie really worth it?
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AGE
I rate this film ON for ages 12+
The good stuff
*
Messages:
The movie is ultimately saying that beauty isn’t skin deep, and valuing the outside above all else can make your insides ugly.
What to watch out for
*
Role models:
Lindy is earnest and caring, but she seems to be the only character who's genuinely kind and gentle -- though Kyle does undergo an emotional and physical transformation that teaches him about what’s most important.
*
Violence:
A man shoots another man off screen and kills him; the body is later seen. Another man threatens another’s child. A high school boy ridicules a classmate repeatedly.
*
Sex:
Tender kisses between the movie's stars; a couple paws each other at a party. Several close-up shots of the main male character shirtless. A few sexual innuendoes.
*
Language:
Words include "s--t," “a*s,” “c**p,” “sl*t,” “sk*nk,” “bulls--t,” "WTF," and “bi*ch.”
*
Consumerism:
Some label-flashing and name-dropping, including Ducati, Forbes, D’Agostino, Duane Reade, Coke, Footlocker, Jujyfruit, and Bulgari.
*
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Some underage drinking at a party; drug references.
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Kid, 12 years old
March 19, 2011
AGE
Risk on Beastly
Love it's message. It is perfect for mature kids. You really understand the screenwriter's concept its beautiful! ;)
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AGE
Very Typical Teen Chick Flick
I didn't read the book, but I honestly found this kind of boring. I think this is one of those movies that shouldve remained a book. It was great they geared the cast (Vanessa hudgens, marykate olsen, Alex pettyfer) toward teenage girls though without using a bunch of current Disney stars. It's a good romance story and my only concern was that the guy's face after he turns "ugly" might freak some kids out. Honestly i was expecting more. I just found this a little disappointing.
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AGE
amazing film.
this film was amazing, i read the book before and it ws also amazing. i highly recommend this film to other viewers and a sort of family film for everyone to enjoy proberly only children over the age of 12. but AMAZING!!
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AGE
Great Teenage Flick
The worst sexual content was a few pictures at the beginning and Kyle goes without his shirt for like a third of the movie. Other than that, there's a few kisses. Overall, Beastly was an excellent teenage flick that teaches you to not be full of yourself.
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| Studio: | CBS Films |
| Director: | Daniel Barnz |
| Cast: | Alex Pettyfer, Mary-Kate Olsen, Vanessa Hudgens |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Run time: | 95 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 4, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | June 28, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | language including some crude comments, drug references and brief violence |
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