Why Uglies didn't stand the test of time and feels dated. (Uglies vs hunger games analysis)

Summary

The video analyzes the movie adaptation of *Uglies* and its shortcomings compared to the book. The reviewer explains why the film feels dated, focusing on the character Tally, who is portrayed as unlikable and shallow. The critique explores issues such as unearned heroism, poor world-building, and the film's inability to effectively address societal beauty standards. The script highlights how the themes in *Uglies* feel out-of-touch in 2024, especially in contrast to deeper works like *The Hunger Games*. The video ends with a call to delve into deeper dystopian themes in future content.

Takeaways

• 🎬 The movie *Uglies* feels dated, and would have been better received if released in 2004 rather than 2024.
• 🙅‍♀️ Tally, the protagonist, is portrayed as an unlikable character both in the book and the film, which affects the audience's connection with her.
• 💔 The love triangle between Tally, David, and Shay in the book felt forced, and the film's choice to downplay this dynamic was appreciated.
• 😕 The character development of Tally lacks depth, with her motivations and background not being explored enough to make her relatable.
• 📖 Comparisons were drawn to *The Hunger Games*, which succeeded in giving its main character, Katniss, a deeper and more relatable backstory.
• 🔄 The *Uglies* series hasn't evolved enough to address modern discussions around beauty standards, making the material feel flat and simplistic.
• 🤔 The societal critique in *Uglies* doesn't account for nuances like colorism or pretty privilege in the same way that modern discussions do.
• 🛑 The book glosses over deep historical issues, such as racism and discrimination, which weakens its world-building and societal critique.
• 🦸‍♀️ Tally's heroism feels unearned and her journey lacks stakes, making her seem more like a 'Mary Sue' character.
• 🌎 The movie and book world-building fail to capture the cruelty of the society they depict, especially when compared to other dystopian stories like *The Hunger Games*.

Q & A

Why does the speaker find the 'Uglies' movie better than the book?

The speaker finds the 'Uglies' movie better because they felt the book was boring, making the film more engaging by comparison. Additionally, Joey King's performance helped make the character of Tally more likable in the film.

What is the speaker's main criticism of the character Tally in both the book and the movie?

The speaker criticizes Tally for being unlikable and shallow, both in the book and the movie. They believe Tally's character lacks depth, and her heroism feels unearned, especially because her actions seem to rely on 'plot armor' rather than genuine character growth.

Why does the speaker feel that 'Uglies' as a movie and book series feels dated?

The speaker feels 'Uglies' is dated because the themes, particularly the critique of beauty standards, were more relevant in the early 2000s. In 2024, with ongoing and more nuanced conversations about beauty, race, and societal standards, the source material feels shallow and simplistic.

How does the speaker compare Tally from 'Uglies' to Katniss from 'The Hunger Games'?

The speaker compares Tally unfavorably to Katniss, noting that Katniss has well-explained trauma and motivations, which makes her a complex character. In contrast, Tally’s character lacks depth, hobbies, and emotional layers, making her less relatable and engaging.

What does the speaker think about the love triangle between Tally, David, and Shay in the book?

The speaker finds the love triangle frustrating, particularly because Tally's reaction to David's kiss feels forced and shallow, as she immediately compares her looks to Shay's. The speaker criticizes this for being poorly developed and included for shock value.

What issue does the speaker have with how the film handles the world-building in 'Uglies'?

The speaker believes the world-building in 'Uglies' lacks depth. They criticize how the book and movie fail to explore complex issues like discrimination, colorism, and societal history. The backstory about the 'Rusties' and their conflicts over race feels underdeveloped.

Why does the speaker think 'Uglies' fails as a critique on society?

The speaker feels 'Uglies' tries to tackle big issues, like societal beauty standards, but does so in a shallow manner. They believe the book’s premise is too simple to handle the complexities of beauty privilege, discrimination, and the psychological effects of societal expectations.

How does the speaker feel about Joey King's portrayal of Tally in the movie?

The speaker acknowledges Joey King's effort to make Tally more likable, and they appreciate her performance. However, they feel that the character, as written, is too shallow and lacks relatability, which limits how well the performance can connect with the audience.

What does the speaker suggest could improve the character development of Tally?

The speaker suggests that giving Tally more hobbies, exploring her emotional relationships with her parents, and showing the impact of her parents’ emotional neglect would add depth and make her a more complex and relatable character.

What does the speaker think about the book's handling of historical discrimination in the 'Rusties' society?

The speaker criticizes the book for glossing over historical discrimination, like racism, in the 'Rusties' society. Tally’s disbelief that people could fight over skin color is seen as an oversimplification of real-world issues, leaving the topic inadequately addressed.