Preview: Beautiful Creatures (2013)

Synopsis:

A local boy meets a dangerous newcomer whose access to magical powers threatens their burgeoning relationship as they explore the depths of villainy both of their families have locked away.

• Poster: (A-) / B-

Review:

(It isn't much of a poster, but it's an elegant design. Sometimes simplicity is best and when done with such grace, it's hard to argue.)

Superimposing the cast on the original trailer isn't the best design choice, but even so the result isn't as spectacularly disappointing or bad as it could have been. It still works, just not as beautifully as the first.

• Trailer: B+ / C

Review:

While the tween-centric premise gives me pause, the trailer design is an exciting piece. There are some attractive images on display and it looks more entertaining than I might have initially believed glancing at the premise.

To an extent, I'm glad this second trailer is so broad in what it shows the audience. It removes the glossy style of the first trailer and shows us a film that isn't likely to be as appealing as originally thought. There are still some interesting bits and the visual effects look far superior to any of the 2013 trailers I've so far seen, so there's a ray of hope that it will at least be nice to look at.

Oscar Prospects:

It releases far too early in the year and its younger-skewing appeal will likely keep it out of major contention.

Release Date:

• February 13, 2013

-Wesley Lovell (October 28, 2012) Original

-Wesley Lovell (November 18, 2012) New Trailer / New Poster