Thursday, April 22, 2010

Beastly: A Tale as Old as Time Gets a Modern Update

By Paige MacGregor

What happens when the hottest, richest guy in school has a run-in with the school’s resident “witch”? In the case of director Daniel Barnz’ (The Cutting Room, Phoebe in Wonderland) upcoming film, Beastly, the consequences can be devastating.

Barnz’ film, a modern-day adaptation of the classic “Beauty and the Beast” story, is set for release this July. And although it might not sound like the type of film usually featured on The Vault of Horror, Beastly is worth mentioning for several reasons, not the least of which is its eclectic cast, which includes Alex Pettyfer (Wild Child, Tormented), Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical), Mary-Kate Olson (New York Minute, The Wackness) and Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother).

When Kyle (Pettyfer) upsets school outcast and rumored witch Kendra (Olson), she places a curse on him that transforms his good looks into mutilated hideousness. The spell gives Kyle one year to find a woman to fall in love with him despite his new appearance; failing to do so means he will retain his new, horrifying appearance forever.

The transformation that Pettyfer’s character undergoes in the film is one torn from the pages of fantasy and horror alike, and the source material that the film uses—the “Beauty and the Beast” story—falls solidly within the confines of the “dark fantasy” genre, placing Beastly within The Vault of Horror’s jurisdiction.

Don’t believe me? Take a look at the trailer below and see for yourself.