The film adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s popular young adult series “Uglies,” which has recently debuted on Netflix, struggles to capture the essence of its source material. Set in a stark, concrete world marked by a powerful government and a post-apocalyptic class system, the story revolves around Tally Youngblood, played by Joey King, a teenager who feels unattractive in a society that mandates life-altering cosmetic surgery upon reaching 16. This procedure transforms “Uglies” into “Pretties,” allowing them to join the beautiful elite.
Tally’s journey takes a turn when she befriends Shay, portrayed by Brianne Tju, who shares her birthdate but chooses to rebel against the surgery. Instead of conforming, Shay escapes to a hidden community resistant to cosmetic alterations called the Smoke. The government subsequently tasks Tally with infiltrating this group, promising her the opportunity to finally become “Pretty” if she succeeds. However, her time with the rebels and a budding romance with their leader, David (Keith Powers), prompts Tally to reevaluate what beauty truly means.
Despite the intriguing premise, the film has drawn criticism for relying on familiar young adult tropes and failing to fully explore the nuanced themes of beauty and societal expectations prevalent in the original novels. The muted visuals, underwhelming performances, and an overreliance on special effects contribute to a lack of authenticity, with only Tju’s portrayal of Shay receiving positive remarks.
The adaptation also misses key elements of Westerfeld’s commentary on societal control and the superficial nature of beauty. Instead of enhancing the narrative, the film seems distracted by cameos from other Netflix personalities, detracting from its intended message.
This adaptation fits a broader trend of unsuccessful attempts to bring beloved young adult novels to the screen, echoing issues faced by other adaptations like “Beautiful Creatures” and “Divergent.” As studios continue to pursue live-action renditions, they often neglect the unique potential of animation, which could better capture the grand scope of these imaginative worlds.
With the rise of live-action adaptations of classic animated films also facing scrutiny, the argument for embracing animation as a means of storytelling insists that it can explore realms not constrained by reality. Ultimately, the conversation around “Uglies” highlights the need for more thoughtful adaptations that honor the innovative themes presented in young adult literature, offering viewers experiences that resonate with the boundless creativity found in the written word.