Is Netflix's Uglies Movie an Accurate Adaptation?
While Netflix’s Uglies movie features many elements of the book of the same name, by Scott Westerfeld, there are plenty of differences. For those Uglies book fans who are looking to get a taste of the novel in live action, there is some great storytelling in this new film - one which highlights many of the Uglies characters and Uglies world. However, viewers should be ready for some significant deviations, including in the Uglies opening scene - the way the movie showcases Tally transformation.
Instead of showing Tally discovering the cat vomit sky that made it such a recognizable moment from the novel - we are presented with a different version. The Uglies movie uses the "cat vomit" sky as a subtle homage - while those watching would still be made to consider just how visually arresting this image would have been in an adaptation, but they may be surprised to not see Tally's observation on her sense of beauty during this time - the movie's beginning instead chose to have Tally focus on the dystopian future and what the world looks like before it moves into the story's central focus - a world with a specific, compulsory cosmetic surgery.
What Makes Uglies Book and Movie So Unique?
The Uglies is a compelling series. This is true of the Uglies movie and even more so, Uglies book - it is one of the most celebrated and engaging novels in dystopian fiction. Those fans who have picked up the book will note its enduring themes, a story set within a society driven by conformity and the need to meet the standard for beauty. The world in the series centers on the idea of beauty standards and what it means to look a certain way after everyone at the age of sixteen has undergone surgery - referred to in the book series as The Operation.
Those reading the series will discover that it focuses on the characters - specifically Tally, who becomes the story's protagonist and sets up a world that embraces a social construct surrounding what beauty really is and its importance, and this concept, also becomes the heart of the story - showing that beauty can often be a powerful illusion - even as those living in this world accept those limitations without second thought, while struggling with the themes of conformity and rebellion, which are so prominent within the series. Uglies showcases how the concept of beauty changes - it is even an element of the plot that creates the foundation for how the story continues to play out and will, undoubtedly, remain one of the biggest reasons why it became an important book series. Scott Westerfeld Uglies became one of the author's best-selling works.
Where Does Uglies Fit Into the World of Sci-fi?
While it's not always thought of in the same way as major sci-fi series, Uglies has its own place. Fans who gravitate toward a more contemporary and complex sci-fi will notice this as the novel showcases a dystopian world that blends with science fiction themes - those themes can range from a strong focus on technological advancement and how those advances may often be used for the purpose of manipulating and controlling a society's overall way of life - in particular for Uglies characters such as Tally, who struggle to overcome those limiting constructs as they navigate their life. It's often seen in how they choose to adapt to The Operation and, later, how it serves as a catalyst for their rebellious nature.
The book also has a number of similarities to those books in a genre where technology has often played a role - such as with "The Hunger Games," the film and book franchise created by Suzanne Collins, where it also gives readers a glimpse at what a dystopian world would be like and how that environment might be manipulated and used by an oppressive government.
What Happens In The Uglies Movie?
The Uglies, on Netflix, gives audiences a taste of a world obsessed with beauty standards - even to the point that the main character Tally has to make a huge adjustment once she experiences The Operation to turn "ugly" into "pretty". It features the iconic Joey King (whose career spans across a plethora of movie releases) and Uglies Characters that include David, who has gone from "ugly" to "pretty" and serves as an early friend for Tally. The series itself also highlights the main character Tally, as she makes the difficult decision to adjust to life in Prettyville, only to find a series of events that make her question those changes - particularly once she makes her way into a society obsessed with beauty, even despite the pain and even loss it can cause - making her go back into Uglyville as she makes her way back to find a friend, who went missing. This event ultimately leads to a turning point for Tally.
While the film showcases a series of familiar events, the narrative may also seem a bit off-putting to those who loved the book series. While the plot and story focus on themes, characters, and settings from the novel Uglies and how it highlights conformity and rebellion, some will find the Uglies movie is not an entirely accurate adaptation of those key, important elements.
Why Did Uglies Become So Popular?
It's hard to argue with Uglies book's success. It served as the foundation for a series that generated an extremely loyal fan following who adored its world and Uglies characters. These included Tally, David, and Shay - as they became memorable and enduring figures in dystopian literature.
The novel is a must-read - for those who enjoy exploring themes of beauty as well as the complex concept of conformity and the desire to break free from societal control and find an identity within a world filled with strict social restrictions, where even an overriding government forces those who live within their system to adapt.
What's Unique About The Uglies World?
The story for Uglies, written by Scott Westerfeld Uglies, centers on those themes that explore a unique and often-cited distopia, one that offers viewers insight into what it would be like to live within an oppressive society where conformity and appearance are critical - even going to show how Uglies characters such as David, Shay, and Tally find themselves struggling against the restrictive, artificial world. There's an ongoing conflict between Uglyville and Prettyville, as the latter, is a place where the beautiful reside and have taken the plunge and undergone The Operation. While those living in Prettyville enjoy The Operation as a gateway to a new, exciting, and vibrant society - it also leads to an unspoken reality where they must give up a good deal of their individuality, something that Tally unintentionally discovers.
As Tally gets more involved with her journey to find her missing friend, Peris,, those events unfold in a manner that helps readers or viewers understand how important individuality and true beauty can be in a world where The Government, along with The Pretty Police, dictate a standard of appearance, which sets the backdrop for Uglies as a world filled with secrets and a desire for The Rebellion. This gives The System that has been put in place the ability to control their thoughts and bodies through The Operation.
Is there an Uglies sequel?
The Uglies, in Scott Westerfeld's Uglies, became a success - inspiring multiple Uglies sequel novels, which include Pretties, Specials, and Extras.
Pretties continued Tally's journey as she discovered the truth about the world she now lives in and how her society functioned, and, most notably - how The Society has used her and many others - as subjects of a series of complex social experiments as well as compulsory cosmetic surgery to change who those people are and reshape the future of their society, an often controversial tactic used in those dystopian novels. These books will provide readers with a more detailed understanding of those stories. The concept behind Pretties is one that has also encouraged the desire to understand how Tally could continue on a path of self-discovery and the importance of self-love, as those events are a central theme of Uglies, as well as for its Uglies Sequel. The Uglies novel franchise also gave those reading it the chance to get a glimpse at how this society can evolve, particularly with those elements, as Uglies book readers will learn how Uglyville and Prettyville will transition - all under the guise of a government's strict control. It often showcases how The City (where Tally, David, and Shay all live and attempt to navigate a world that appears both benevolent and dangerous - depending on which side of the social classes they fall onto - such as being one of The Uglies or The Pretties - or the groups considered as "The Twisted."
Does the Uglies movie have a sequel?
At the moment, there is no official confirmation on whether a Uglies sequel is in production. However, considering that Netflix had such a major launch for the film - it has certainly sparked much speculation around what could come in terms of potential stories.
The movie itself does provide Uglies book fans a strong starting point and those who are curious will certainly have a reason to anticipate the possibilities of another Uglies film adaptation that might focus on Pretties or one of the later works. It's possible, too, that Netflix is making decisions that may ultimately favor the Uglies movie series for several seasons, as it has a significant chance to gain momentum. It could have an impressive run in terms of the number of viewers and potentially attract those who enjoy this particular dystopian society and themes. Although it has not been officially announced by Netflix yet, fans will hopefully find out.
