Having read the book I have to say I am perplexed why the film makers didn't follow the darker themes explored in the book. The book was dark and fascinating and un-putdownable. The film is far too light-weight and cute and has to throw in a De Caprio love triangle just to keep the Hollywood execs happy.

It was an OK movie, but I enjoyed the book. It was, and is, fantastic. I just wanted to know why wasn't the movie exactly like the book?

Viewed as a "B" movie that's strictly fodder for late-night cable, this movie ain't bad! I mean, the beach is beautiful, and a little escapist popcorn drama never hurt anyone. So what if the ending is less-than-stellar?

It's first half is very compelling and hypnotic and you want to see what's next. But if you knew what was next you would turn it off in a second.

Has an actuall story to tell, entertaining and stylish. Does not deserve an as.hole rating of 2 fast 2 furious. All the wrong people are rating this movie.

I also do not understand why people have rated this movie so badly. Not having read the book (yet), I could not say how it stacks up, but movies rarely live up to expectations for those who have read the book. There is no way to pack as much into a two hour movie as a several hundred page book. The advantage of a movie is its ability to SHOW rather than merely DESCRIBE, and what this movie shows is quite spectacular in terms of scenery and characters (Virginie Ledoyen is very sexy). I was fine with the ending but regardless of how one feels about the end, the bulk of this movie is compelling to watch. Sort of like a Lord of the Flies for adults.… Expand

It takes a certain level of intellect and artistic respect to fully appreciate what The Beach has to offer. It feels almost rewarding to declare that I am one of those rare few who possess the prerequisites so sadly denied to such simple-minded blockbuster mainstream zombies...

Excellent movie thanks to a brilliant techno-score and Virginie Ledoyen.The visuals were brilliant and the film delivers decent acting.Though the ending is a little blown up,overall the movie is compelling,hypnotic and seductive.There are some light moments and the latter part of the film is picturized darkly.Good for a late night watch.

This movie is excellent. It helped me in life.

(Based on the Alex Garland Novel) The Beach is truly touching and compelling picture with a new-age lord of the flies feel entering the millennium, terrific music score and intriguing escape into the unknown, fantastic.

Excellent Movie. So it doesnt follow the book exactly but this movie gives fantasy and euphoria, its mesmerising. For those who lack imagination and adventure maybe they should give this a miss. Di Caprios acting is very good.