Nate (Idris Elba) travels to his late wife’s hometown in South Africa on a family vacation, and to visit his long-time family friend. Their fascinating tour of wildlife becomes fatal when an aggressive, man-eating rogue lion starts attacking them and anyone crossing its path.
Elba shines as Nate, a doctor who lost his wife to cancer and is seeking to rebuild his relationship with his two teenage daughters. In addition, Sharlto Copley does a great job as Nate’s friend Martin, who’s also the safari guide.
Director, Baltasar Kormákur made good use of the scenic locations. From the vastness of South Africa’s enormous landscapes, to the minute movements of the sun. The movie just keeps going, steadily building suspense as the sun sets and the moon rises. The CGI is decent and looks pretty convincing when the lion comes to attack Nate and his companions.
It’s all rather cliched and not as solid as you think it would be. In one of the scenes, Nate and his daughters are repeatedly debating the situation, because they’re either trying to be courageous when it’s not appropriate or arguing when they’re not supposed to – this may come across as off-putting.
One of the best aspects of the film were the camera angles. Some of the long shots make you feel like you’re standing right there in the character’s shoes. Some scenes are tension-filled, instilling fear when the lion is chasing the family.
If you like watching movies where characters go up against something much more powerful than themselves, such as a primal force, and it’s Idris Elba versus a lion in the African wilderness, then this movie is for you.
Don’t go in with a lot of expectations, just sit back, relax and enjoy the thrill of the ride.
juni 
OPINION |
Nate (Idris Elba) travels to his late wife’s hometown in South Africa on a family vacation, and to visit his long-time family friend. Their fascinating tour of wildlife becomes fatal when an aggressive, man-eating rogue lion starts attacking them and anyone crossing its path.
Elba shines as Nate, a doctor who lost his wife to cancer and is seeking to rebuild his relationship with his two teenage daughters. In addition, Sharlto Copley does a great job as Nate’s friend Martin, who’s also the safari guide.
Director, Baltasar Kormákur made good use of the scenic locations. From the vastness of South Africa’s enormous landscapes, to the minute movements of the sun. The movie just keeps going, steadily building suspense as the sun sets and the moon rises. The CGI is decent and looks pretty convincing when the lion comes to attack Nate and his companions.
It’s all rather cliched and not as solid as you think it would be. In one of the scenes, Nate and his daughters are repeatedly debating the situation, because they’re either trying to be courageous when it’s not appropriate or arguing when they’re not supposed to – this may come across as off-putting.
One of the best aspects of the film were the camera angles. Some of the long shots make you feel like you’re standing right there in the character’s shoes. Some scenes are tension-filled, instilling fear when the lion is chasing the family.
If you like watching movies where characters go up against something much more powerful than themselves, such as a primal force, and it’s Idris Elba versus a lion in the African wilderness, then this movie is for you.
Don’t go in with a lot of expectations, just sit back, relax and enjoy the thrill of the ride.
Rating: 6/10
Beast is in cinemas now.
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