Beautiful Creatures
3 out of 5 Stars
Director • Richard LaGravenese
Starring • Alice Englert, Alden Ehrenreich, Viola Davis, Emma Thompson
Rated • PG-13
Recommended to • Those looking for a fantasy romance where something actually happens.

Ethan (Alden Ehrenreich) wants to escape his sheltered Southern town, but there’s something to be said about falling in love with Lena (Alice Englert), the new and mysterious girl who lives with her hermit of an uncle.

The instant “Twilight” was a runaway hit the onslaught of movies with similar plots and themes were inevitable. Thankfully that allowed “Warm Bodies” and now “Beautiful Creatures” to be made. “Beautiful Creatures” isn’t quite as inventive as “Warm Bodies,” but it does have a major advantage over “Twilight” in that characters make major decisions and sacrifices with consequences that stretch beyond their personal space. Whereas “Twilight” was about being selfish, this film is about being selfless. It also looks like a film, rather than a made-for-television special with the occasional splash of glitter. I’m not saying “Beautiful Creatures” is a masterpiece; it isn’t. It is an entertaining voyage that works extremely well when it keeps things small. When the film goes crazy for special effects and a general sense of cinematic chaos it gets a bit silly and steals away the spotlight from the developing relationships. More Ethan and Lena and not nearly as much witchery would have suited me better.

-Ryan Michael Painter

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcast Company)