Uglies Review : Joey King's film fails to entertain with its young adult dystopian cliches

Story: In a futuristic dystopia with enforced beauty standards, a teen awaiting mandatory cosmetic surgery embarks on a journey to find her missing friend.

Review: Uglies paints the picture of a film struggling to stand out in the oversaturated Young Adult dystopian genre. Despite having Scott Westerfeld’s intriguing 2005 source material and Joey King’s praiseworthy performance as Tally Youngblood, the film falls short in originality and execution.

The story revolves around Tally (Joey King), who eagerly awaits her mandatory transformation into a "Pretty." After her best friend, Peris (Chase Stokes), is selected for the procedure and mysteriously vanishes, Tally becomes entangled with The Smoke, a rebel group she discovers through her rebellious new friend, Shay (Brianne Tju). Under pressure from the ominous Dr. Cable (Laverne Cox), Tally agrees to infiltrate The Smoke and report back, but her journey leads her to question the society’s obsession with beauty and conformity.

Directed by McG, the film offers visual spectacle reminiscent of his earlier works, but it lacks the depth necessary to explore the novel’s powerful commentary on societal standards. The screenplay, written by Vanessa Taylor, Jacob Forman, and Whit Anderson, stumbles with heavy exposition and fails to deliver its themes in a compelling way. Instead, the film feels like a rehash of familiar dystopian narratives rather than a fresh take on the genre.

Joey King shines as Tally, bringing emotional depth to her character, but she is limited by weak dialogue and a predictable plot. Her chemistry with Brianne Tju’s Shay and Keith Powers’ David keeps the film afloat, though the romantic subplot between Tally and David feels formulaic and further detracts from the film’s overall potential.

The film’s cinematography and action sequences provide striking visuals, especially in contrasting the glittering cities of the Pretties with the decaying remnants of old society. However, this visual appeal cannot compensate for the repetitive narrative. The cliffhanger ending teases future installments, but unless the sequels introduce fresh ideas, Uglies risks fading into the background of a crowded genre.

In conclusion, Uglies is a disappointing adaptation that, despite its timely themes, feels outdated. It harkens back to the wave of YA dystopian films that peaked a decade ago, and without a more unique or impactful message, it’s unlikely to leave a lasting impression.