As a dedicated fan of Scott Westerfeld’s works, I must say it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions witnessing the release and reception of “Uglies.” The movie, which dropped on Netflix last month, has sparked quite a debate among critics, but for me, it’s not about the rotten tomatoes (or the 16% on Rotten Tomatoes). What truly matters is that this adaptation has reached an audience far beyond what the books managed to do.
Scott Westerfeld, author of the movie currently under scrutiny, has disclosed plans for sequels to the now criticized sci-fi film. In a recent conversation with What’s on Netflix, Westerfield shared that the streaming service can choose to adapt all the books in the Uglies series, though ultimately it hinges on the audience’s response.
Indeed, I’ve granted Anonymous the rights to modify all the books within both series. This looks promising for potential sequels, provided the audience remains engaged and interested!
In the hands of director McG and scriptwriters Jacob Forman, Vanessa Taylor, and Whit Anderson, the film titled Uglies is inspired by the source novel and immerses viewers in a future where everyone undergoes cosmetic surgery at age 16. The story centers around Tally, a character yearning for her turn to blend into society. However, when a friend decides to flee, Tally sets out on an adventure to rescue her, which in turn challenges everything she had previously desired.
Last month, “Uglies” made its debut on Netflix and has been heavily criticized by reviewers, earning a ‘rotten’ rating of merely 16% on Rotten Tomatoes – a stark, green blemish that will forever be associated with the film. However, despite the unfavorable reviews, “Uglies” was watched an impressive 20 million times within its first three days, placing it at the number two spot on Netflix’s most-watched list.
Netflix’s Uglies Brings the Story to Far More People Than the Book Ever Did
The accumulation of these figures might be a positive sign for potential sequels. Westerfeld expressed gratitude towards the book’s readers for their engagement, and also announced that the movie is currently receiving more attention compared to the books at any point in their history.
It was no surprise to see the enthusiastic turnout from fans – they’ve been eagerly anticipating this moment. The majority of those who’ve shared their thoughts with me have expressed great satisfaction with the adaptation, finding it true to the original and thrilling, reminiscent of devouring an entire book in four hours at age twelve, as if living a vivid dream.
Absolutely, when we consider the readership of books, several million can be a truly substantial amount. To witness over 47 million individuals engaging with it is quite extraordinary. What makes this even more remarkable is its position atop the charts in numerous countries, including those where the book was never released initially.
Drawing in numerous viewers is likely to bring satisfaction to both Westerfeld and Netflix, but the critical reception could certainly make an impact. In his review for MovieWeb, Richard Fink suggested that the series “even sent ambiguous to potentially harmful messages.
“The idea is heartfelt – people tend to concentrate excessively on their flaws and constantly strive for self-improvement, neglecting their positive qualities. Unfortunately, some of the creative decisions in Uglies can contradict or distort this message, potentially leading to ambiguous or harmful interpretations. It’s important to note that not all cosmetic surgery is negative; many individuals choose it voluntarily and not due to societal pressure. The metaphor used in Uglies fails to acknowledge the complexities of the transgender experience.
Featuring Joey King, Keith Powers, Chase Stokes, Brianne Tju, and Laverne Cox, the streaming of Uglies has commenced on Netflix.
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2024-10-02 17:05