“Uglies” directed by McG is based on a novel that explores a futuristic dystopian theme with enforced beauty standards. While the title might confuse people and make them turn away, it sends the message of body positivity and self-love.

It takes place in a world where when everyone turns 16, they undergo a life-changing operation to become their perfect self, and you get to join society in the city. It’s believed that when everyone is perfect, “conflict melts away and everyone is equal.”

Before this operation, you are seen as ugly. The movie follows Tally Youngblood (portrayed by Joey King) who is waiting for the operation to be pretty but is denied until she finds her missing friend.

The day before the operation, Tally and her friend Shay (portrayed by Brianne Tju) escape, and Shay reveals she wants to go to “the smoke,” a place where you are seen as pretty on the inside and out. While it did build suspense, it was still a standard story.

While talking to a couple who used to be doctors, they explained how the operation erases who you are and makes it so you can’t feel much, similar to how this movie might make you feel nothing.

Tally realizes what Dr. Cable, the “President,” has told her is a lie and is starting to have doubts about what she is there to do.

Tally leads a rebellion and sneaks into the city. she volunteers to be the test subject for the cure that “the smoke” is working on to reverse the effect it has on your brain. There wasn’t enough time to build the storyline, and it makes you feel like there should be more.

While the sets were amazing, they could’ve spent more on the storyline than the sets. It feels like a careless movie made just to get something out there.

The movie was average; it could have been better if it had been more action-packed and stuck to the book. However, it did have a nice message: perfection is an illusion. The movie is based from an entire book series with much more to add to the story, so will there be more to the rebellion that we get to see on screen?