Idris Elba’s latest film, Beast, recently arrived in theaters, giving audiences a thrill with its ferocious predatory lion. The movie follows Nate Samuels, a father of two teenage daughters who find themselves hunted by the massive rogue lion across the Savanna. The film doesn’t sound entirely different from others in a similar genre, such as Anaconda, Jurassic Park, and of course, Jaws. However, director Baltasar Kormákur and producer Will Packer say they didn’t try to replicate or even take inspiration from those iconic films.
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During an interview with The Digital Fix, the duo discussed their latest outing and how Beast differentiates itself from other similar projects. Kormákur says, “I was more thinking about films that affected me in a different way.”
“I think Jaws was great at the time; when it was made, it was fantastic. It scared the hell out of everyone, but I think Jurassic Park was not so scary to me. It was more adventure movie. You know, like, my kids were really into it. I was more thinking about films that affected me in a different way.”
Packer reiterated the director’s statements, saying the film has a central message of counting on family and describes Beast as a “contemporary modern version” of films like Jaws.
“Well, first of all, Jaws wouldn’t last long in the African bush; that’s number one. I think that this is a very different story; it is as much about leaning on family, no matter what, even when things are hard, even when there’s turmoil, even when there’s strife. I think that it leans into the best aspect of the storytelling of those movies that you mentioned, like Jaws or Cujo. But it does it in a different way. It’s a contemporary modern version and take on those films. I think Baltasar, the director, did an incredible job doing it.”
Beast is Showing in Theaters Now
Universal Pictures
Beast is exclusively in theaters nationwide and available to see on the big screen. MovieWeb reviewed the film, saying the melodrama within the film slowed down the plot of the ferocious movie. Overall, reviews are mixed, with a 66% critic score and 75% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
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Beast stars Idris Elba along with Leah Jeffries, Iyana Halley, and Sharlto Copley. Kormákur, who helms the project, has seen success in Hollywood with previous movies, including Contraband, 2 Guns, Everest, and Adrift. The film arrived in theaters last week, on Aug. 19. Check out Beast while it’s playing on the big screen, as Elba has said he wants to revive the cinema with his latest project.
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