By the BBC's Joanna Wilson

After all the hype and controversy, the curtain has finally gone up on Hollywood heart-throb Leonardo DiCaprio's eagerly-anticipated new movie The Beach.

It's the 25-year-old's first film in two years - and it reportedly earned him a cool $20m (£12.4m).

But before our verdict, a summary of the plot...

American backpacker Richard, played by DiCaprio, arrives in Thailand hungry for adventure.

Whilst staying in a seedy Bangkok hotel, he encounters a strange, drugged-out character called Daffy (Robert Carlyle) who rambles on about an idyllic beach on an island that is 'Paradise on Earth'.

Later Richard discovers a hand-drawn map of the island pinned to his door. He searches for Daffy, only to find his lifeless body - with his wrists slit.

Richard decides to track down the mysterious island and persuades a young French couple, Francoise (Virginie Ledoyen) and Etienne (Guillaume Canet) to join him in his quest.

Life's a beach

After negotiating a massive waterfall the trio eventually reach their destination where they begin to unwind and forget about the stresses of the modern world.

Richard becomes an expert at spearing fish - and wins the heart of Francoise, but the Utopian dream soon turns into a nightmare.

Based on Alex Garland's cult book and made by Danny Boyle and the team behind Shallow Grave and Trainspotting, this film had a lot to live up to and generally succeeds.

The cinematography and the atmospheric soundtrack featuring All Saints' theme tune Pure Shores as well as the likes of Faithless, Orbital and Moby - are both stunning.

DiCaprio carries off the lead role with consummate ease and proves once again that there is more to him than pretty-boy good looks, even if he does seem to spend most of the movie shirtless.

Off the Boyle

However, there a few flaws. The script and the pace of the plot vary in quality - especially in the second half when DiCaprio's character is banished into the jungle and rapidly descends into madness.

Director Boyle seems to let the whole thing drift along aimlessly for a while - and we are treated to a bizarre "virtual Leo" GameBoy scenario as he battles to get a grip on reality.

But in the final bloody showdown between DiCaprio and Tilda Swinton (who is excellent as ruthless leader Sal), the film redeems itself - although, no doubt, those who have read Garland's book may disagree.

It depends on your expectations. Go with an open mind - and you may be pleasantly surprised.