Uglies (Netflix Adaptation) Review: A Flawed But Intriguing YA Dystopian Drama
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| Uglies Review 2024 |
Introduction
Netflix's Uglies, an adaptation of the novel by Scott Westerfeld, has been in development for a couple of years. Now, it's finally arriving on the streaming platform. Sharing vibes with other young adult (YA) themed dystopian stories like Divergent and The Hunger Games, it attempts to offer something new with its unique premise of a futuristic world where cosmetic surgery is mandatory at age 16. But does it truly set itself apart? Let's delve into the highs and lows of Uglies and see what it brings to the table.
Premise: A Society Built on Superficiality
In this futuristic society, cosmetic surgery is imposed on all citizens when they turn 16, transforming them from Uglies to Pretties. The story follows Tally, played by Joey King, a girl eagerly counting down the days until her surgery. Reconfiguring her body and looks is supposed to help her fit in with the rest of Pretty Society. However, when her friend runs away to avoid the surgery, Tally embarks on a journey to save her, ultimately upending everything she thought she wanted.
Exploring the Themes of Beauty and Society
The premise itself is somewhat comedic: we're given background exposition right from the start, explaining how wars and ecological devastation led to the solution of making everyone look uniformly attractive. The logic? If everyone could be good-looking, jealousy and inferiority complexes would disappear, eradicating fear, anger, and ultimately, suffering.
Despite the supposed utopian outlook, discrepancies in access to this cosmetic surgery result in another caste system, dividing the population into Pretties and Uglies. It's an interesting commentary on human nature, emphasizing that no matter how perfect a society appears, issues like class divisions and self-worth remain prevalent.
Story and Plot: Familiar Territory with a Few Surprises
Once the foundation is set, the movie follows a familiar path trodden by many YA adaptations before it. The privileged Pretties live in shiny, vibrant places, while the underprivileged Uglies are relegated to a monotonous existence until their 16th birthday. This setup brings about the typical YA dystopian themes of strife and longing. Tally, like many before her, is torn between two worlds—the simple life she knows and the opulent one she desires.
The plot is straightforward: Tally gets a taste of the Pretty life but is forced into a mission before her operation can begin. From there, it's an infiltration-type rescue scenario—find a friend and gather intel on the rebels the friend is involved with. Despite its predictable nature, the story works at a basic level. It’s not complex or deep, but the combination of adventure and a touch of suspense keeps the audience engaged, at least enough to see where it’s all going.
Visual Effects and Character Design: A Hit and Miss
One of the main issues with Uglies lies in its visual presentation. While the concept of hoverboards is cool, the execution leaves much to be desired. Tally’s journey learning to ride a hoverboard, complete with training montages and wipeouts, is fun to watch. But once she’s confidently riding around, the green screen effects become painfully obvious, breaking the illusion and immersion.
The Pretties themselves, who are supposed to be flawless, come off as almost comical with over-the-top smooth skin that looks more like a poor Instagram filter than a believable aesthetic. Whether due to CGI or excessive makeup, the result is distracting and makes it difficult to take the world of the Pretties seriously.
Character Dynamics: Underdeveloped Relationships
The film introduces intriguing characters, but unfortunately, many of them lack the depth and screen time needed to create emotional impact. Chase Stokes’s character, Paris, for instance, is supposed to have a profound connection with Tally. However, the limited interactions between them make it hard for the audience to become emotionally invested in their relationship.
This lack of character development is reminiscent of other YA adaptations, where secondary characters are often sidelined. For comparison, think of Gale in The Hunger Games. He was meant to create conflict with Katniss and her emotions, but his lack of presence in the films diminished the impact. The same happens here with Paris in Uglies—he feels more like a placeholder than a fully developed character.
Social Commentary: A Clever but Obvious Metaphor
The story's most compelling aspect is its commentary on society’s obsession with beauty and perfection. It cleverly plays with the idea that society deems natural beauty as ugly and convinces people they’re unworthy unless they’re polished and perfect. This critique on beauty standards is the movie’s most successful element, delivered in a way that’s straightforward without being overbearing.
A Cliffhanger Ending and the Need for More
One of the biggest frustrations with Uglies is that it doesn’t offer a complete story. As the first in a four-part series of novels, the film ends on a sort of cliffhanger. While one narrative arc is wrapped up nicely, the larger story is left wide open, making it clear that more is to come. This is a double-edged sword: while the ending leaves room for intrigue and expansion, it’s also unsatisfying as a standalone piece.
Given that it took several years to finish production on this first movie, it’s uncertain how long we’ll have to wait for the next installment. Hopefully, the follow-up will address the character development and visual effects shortcomings while building on the solid foundation set here.
Final Thoughts: Room for Improvement but Worth Watching
Uglies has its flaws, especially in terms of visual effects and underdeveloped relationships. However, it manages to entertain with its adventure elements and thought-provoking themes. It’s a fun, casual watch with a deeper message if you choose to engage with it.
There’s certainly room for improvement in the next installment, but the foundation is promising. With better character development and refined visuals, Uglies could become a standout in the YA dystopian genre. For now, it’s a solid start that leaves us curious for more.
Summery
Netflix's Uglies, adapted from Scott Westerfeld’s novel, explores a dystopian society where mandatory cosmetic surgery at age 16 transforms Uglies into Pretties. The story follows Tally (Joey King) as she grapples with societal expectations and embarks on a mission to find a runaway friend. Despite its intriguing premise and social commentary on beauty standards, the film struggles with underdeveloped characters, weak visual effects, and a predictable plot. While Uglies is entertaining and has a solid foundation, it lacks depth and ends on a cliffhanger. Rated 3 out of 5 couches, it's a casual watch with potential for improvement.
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