The Beach

Rating:
Summary: Give It Another Chance
Review: ... when I saw this movie in the theater, I did not like it. I thought that the beautiful scenery was wasted by a movie with a thin plot line. However, I decided to give this movie another shot when it aired on HBO. Boy, am I glad I did...not only did I end up taping it on a subsequent viewing, but I have watched it a total of six times now and have ordered a copy for my DVD player.

I will not go into any detail regarding the storyline, as many other reviewers have already done that. What I will say is that the movie is an engrossing masterpiece. Not only does DiCaprio give an impressive performance as a lying, cheating, twenty something year-old, you actually like his character because he IS human. His character (Richard) is one that strives for adventures in the search of personal pleasure, and pays the consequences for some of his indiscretions.

What you learn from this movie is that nothing is ever perfect, and humans least of all... This movie, like Fight Club, condemns our behavior in many ways. The scene where Richard and Sal go from the beach (paradise) to the mainland to get supplies reminded me of what it's like walking around New York. It's a horrible mess...way too many people. Richard had been looking forward to re-joining society, but the minute he stepped foot on the mainland, all he wanted to do was leave again. However, despite all of the innate flaws that we as humans have, we have many other redeeming qualities that are also captured on this film. Love, a sense of adventure, friendship, and courage are just some of the human qualities that are highlighted brilliantly by this film. Life is beautiful and ugly, and everything in between. This film captures all of it...

The voice-over narration by DiCaprio (Richard) is a real key to this movie...it really helps you to understand his character's thoughts and feelings. Without it, the movie would be far less gripping.

Many complaints were made about the last third of the movie, in which Richard goes temporarily insane. I agree that that part should have been developed more...this is one case where an extra half-hour of development would've helped the movie tremendously. It does suffer from a sort of schizophrenic complex, but I guess that's the point. Despite this minor flaw, however, the movie is a major winner and one of my all-time favorites (other favorites of mine include The Matrix, 12 Monkeys, Gattaca, Rounders, Gladiator, and Varsity Blues). If you have trashed this movie after seeing it once, I beg you to see it again. Hopefully, you too will come to appreciate the real beauty of "The Beach".

Rating:
Summary: Not everybody's movie, but really should be
Review: I admit it. I only saw this because I liked the soundtrack and i like the director's other works. A lot of people saw this movie before i did and didn't like it. In fact, when i asked a friend of mine what it was about, she said, "It was just about people, you know, at the beach." Well, I saw the movie a few weeks later and saw a whole lot more than that. I really liked it. It wasn't because of the indie pop music or the beautiful people. I liked it because it's a romantic movie. I don't mean romantic like those "charming" tom hanks-meets-meg ryan-movies, i mean romantic in the French-philosphe-Lord-Byron kind of way. It's like it says on the cover: "a fascinating and exotic adventure." It's a beautiful and hypnotic film about love and desire, restless emotions, and the dark parts of paradise. They dont make movies like this anymore. I've never read the book it's based on (I dont read much but textbooks nowadays) but I hear its really good. My advice is this: if you're thinking about buying this movie because you liked Leo in Titanic, you are REALLY going to be disappointed. This movie may be too sophisticated for you. If you're sick of disaster movies and those hip teen flicks with kids trying really hard to get laid then this might be more to your liking.

Rating:
Summary: GREATEST MOVIE EVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: many people in the U.S. hated the beach, either it was leo dicaprio who ruined the movie for them, or it was the fact they didnt like the story. well the people who hate this movie ARE FOOLS ! there is a much deeper meaning to the movie then just, island + pot-farmers = trouble , the story is way deeper , and if i have to tell you that, then u are not worthy of watching this great movie. The DVD can help non belivers understand the movie more , with its deleted scenes and director commentary , the extras in this video are great. overall this is a great DVD to buy if ur a fan of the film or not, if your not it might teach u something about the TRUE MEANING of the beach .

Rating:
Summary: A strange movie...
Review: Amazon.com Readers,

I like watching movies, and I especially like the special features and added quality of DVDs, but when I purchased this movie, I was bewildered by it. This seems to be somewhat of a "cult" movie, in that it deals with the dark sides of people, and how friendships can be broken. I don't like movies such as this, although many of you who see this movie may have a totally different experience than I did.

I really liked the scenery. Does anyone know if this movie was actually filmed on location in the Gulf of Thailand?

I wanted to share my views with you, even though this movie is not exactly one that I like so much. However, don't let me discourage you from seeing it, necessarily, you might find yourself liking it ;)

Take care, as always,

--Daniel

Rating:
Summary: a surprise
Review: I am not a Leonardo Di Caprio fan. One film, he acted well in an Oscar nominated role as Meryl Streep's troubled son in "Marvin's Room".

I liked that film and it showed me he had good potential, then came the usual spate and like emerging actors, he was forgotten for a while at least in my world till something led me to pick up Baz Luhrmann's dazzling Romeo and Juliet and see him again. I was unimpressed. The same nasal drone like delivery, all his characters seemed like they were closely related to each other, all part of some extended family with lots of Leos. Ofcourse I hesitated to see Titanic and when I did, I gave credit where it was deserved to James Cameron not Di Caprio. His Character was strong but not the actor. When "The Beach" came out I stayed away as much as I could till a boring weekend where I had to rent something I had not yet seen so my choice was either "The Beach" or "Russian Renegades". a B movie. Naturally I opted for the Beach, let's see what happens. Well a few months later I am one of the most surprised of all moviegoers. Never did I think I would ever own a Leo movie till now. I ended up buying the DVD. This was a role he could do well because it fits with the alternative media image of him as a brat. And does he carry this movie! It grew on me like something magical, maybe it was the scenery or the clever direction of Danny Boyle or it was the story it self. Like a fantasy story of being alone on an island, this was so close to it and was done well. The first act of the film is interesting and the second act absolutely glimmers but the last half of the film was an absolute waste.

I kept thinking of so many things that could have been done but weren't. The descent into madness by the main character was appreciated by me but it got lost somewhere. I guess he got a little too on the edge, that Robert Carlyle, he can do that to some people with his fiendish ways. I do recommend this movie for a viewing definitely, how it unfolds you go and see and make up your mind. For me this movie is a classical example of something that started with a bang but ended with a whimper, but not too small a whimper. I was glad the last 5 minutes of this film brought a smile to my face, a rather sweet one.

There's something about this movie. I dont quite know what it is yet.

Rating:
Summary: One of the weirdest movies I've ever seen
Review: Ever since I saw the previews for "The Beach," I wanted to see the movie. I finally got to see it and I was more disappointed about it than I have been for any movie so far this year. Richard (Leonardo DiCaprio) finds a couple of French people and invites them to go to a beach that is supposed to be complete paradise. While on the beach, the 3 will see both good times and bad times, and their experiences will range from life-threatening situations to seduction.

The reason I didn't like "The Beach" is because it's an incredibly strange movie. I agree with the critic that said that this movie can't decide what it wants to be because IT CAN'T!! At times I thought it was going to be a drama movie, and other times it seemed like a suspense movie. The whole time the movie just suffers from an identity crisis. On top of that, I never really got into it, the characters aren't that interesting, and it was sort of boring.

I hate to say it, but I didn't really see anything all that great about "The Beach" other than some of the scenery. This is one beach I don't recommend for anybody to visit. This beach might as well be closed.

Rating:
Summary: The "Let's Bash Leo" bus has Finally left town.
Review: The Frenzy has finally died down, Leo has made his first "Post-Titanic" film, Critics and Audiences jump on the "Bad Mouth Band-Wagon", the film Sinks at the Box-office, it comes out on DVD, More Mixed Reviews, a few Months pass, ...type in "the beach", loading, loading, AHH, 5 star, 4 stars, 5 stars. The Madness is Finally Over. The Real Reviewers are coming out of the Wood work.

I Love this movie, and I'll Defend it, and Leo, as long as there is air in my Lungs. Critic: "It's Muddled and Can't decide what it wants to be". Me: Thats the point, Unrestricted, it's wants to be FREE, the film is about letting go. I love films that try to be Action, Romance, Thrillers. Everyone can Enjoy. Critic: "It starts good, then goes crazy". Me: Again, thats the point. A desent into madness, a downward spiral, a world without laws is doomed to chaos. stuff like that. Remember, when "Apocalypse Now" came out, Critics and Audiences reviewed that for the wrong reasons to, because of the sucess of "the Godfather".

If you didn't like the Beach first time around, see it again, give it another chance, a chance it deserves.

Rating:
Summary: The Beach Has A Question: Is This Cast Away?
Review: Leonardo DiCaprio is electrifying" (David Sheehan, CBS-TV) in this adrenaline-drenched, tantalizingly seductive thriller from the director of Trainspotting. Richard (DiCaprio), a young American backpacker, is willing to risk his life for just one thing: that mind-blowing rush you can only get from braving the ultimate adventure. But on a secret, deceptively perfect beach, Richard will discover that "heaven on earth" can instantly change into a jungle of seduction and danger. Co-starring sexy newcomer Virginie Ledoyen, this "journey to the unexpected, full of surprises, twists and turns, love and romance, lust and desire" (Maria Sallas, Gems) explores the hidden perils and dark places that lurk just beyond the shores of paradise...

Rating:
Summary: Wish I Was There
Review: This has got to be the best film that Leonardo has ever done. I didnt really rate his performance in Titanic as i thought that there was too much hype but he is excellent in this film. The film is about a guy called Richard who is just lazying around travelling drifting from town to town when he stumbles upon a chap (played by Robert Carlile) who talks of agreat isle where all who live upon it live in perfect harmony. Richard doesnt believe this until the following morning when the man has killed himself and left behind a map. With the help of the couple who had the next hotel room next to his they set off to find the perfect island. Once upon the isle all is not what it seems and perfect harmoney isnt perfect for much longer. The film is going to be much better than i have managed to explain so just go out and rent or buy it and you wont be disappointed

Rating:
Summary: Ok as a DVD, worth seeing
Review: On some of the various trailers, they show that French chick strutting around in a bikini. Unfortunately the movie seems to leave out some of the best shots of her.

Also, movie would have worked better if they didn't have DiCaprio acting like a nutcase 3 quarters the way through the film.

A little more Baywatch and a little less Lord of the Flies - might have made this a more entertaining movie.