Release Date: NOVEMBER 21, 2008. MPAA Rating: PG-13 Genre: Horror •
Action •
Romantic Director: Catherine Hardwicke Writers: Melissa Rosenberg, Stephenie Meyer Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Reaser, Nikki Reed, Peter Facinelli, Jackson Rathboine, Cam Gigandet, Billy Burek, Ashley Greene Synopsis: TWILIGHT is an action-packed, modern day love story between a vampire and a human. Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) has always been a little bit different, never caring about fitting in with the trendy girls at her Phoenix high school. When her mother remarries and sends Bella to live with her father in the rainy little town of Forks, Washington, she doesn’t expect much of anything to change. Then she meets the mysterious and dazzlingly beautiful Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), a boy unlike any she’s ever met. Intelligent and witty, he sees straight into her soul. Soon, Bella and Edward are swept up in a passionate and decidedly unorthodox romance. Edward can run faster than a mountain lion, he can stop a moving car with his bare hands – and he hasn’t aged since 1918. Like all vampires, he’s immortal. But he doesn’t have fangs, and he doesn’t drink human blood; Edward and his family are unique among vampires in their lifestyle choice. To Edward, Bella is that thing he has waited 90 years for – a soul mate. But the closer they get, the more Edward must struggle to resist the primal pull of her scent, which could send him into an uncontrollable frenzy. But what will Edward & Bella do when James (Cam Gigandet), Laurent (Edi Gathegi) and Victoria (Rachelle Lefevre), the Cullens’ mortal vampire enemies, come to town, looking for her?
The Review: Dying is easy, living is hard. This will be the creed Bella Swan shall have to endure in regards to her relationship with the mysterious Edward Cullen. A newcomer to town, Bella is just girl trying to disappear and not be noticed. Its on her first day at a Pacific Northwest high school when she encounters the Cullen family. She becomes entranced with Edward Cullen her Lab partner. Who wouldn’t? He has breathtaking good looks and only has soul piecing eyes for Bella Swan. Sounds too good to be true, huh? Well the fact that he and his family are vampires doesn’t stop cupid’s arrow.
Ok I admit it I read the twilight series and loved them. I was so excited to learn they were making a movie. Like a cult, anyone who reads the first book begins to recruit anyone they can to also read and discuss how great the book is. I myself have never read the Harry Potter books so I missed that whole frenzy.
So what am I going to tell my fellow Twilight fans? Go see the movie with an open mind. Enjoy the parts of the book that were so beautifully and faithfully done in the movie. Seeing Bella and Edward flying thru the trees and Edward sparkling in the sun is awesome. Don’t let the fact that some of the scenes are not on the correct time line or location as the book ruin your cinematic experience.
As for the performances….I thought that all actors were suited to their roles. I did find that Kristen Stewart (Bella) was a little to angsty with the delivery of some of her lines
One of the real stars of the movie is the amazing soundtrack. I can see how the sound track went number one before the movie came out. Author Stephanie Meyers has talked at length about music and how it inspires her writing. All the songs matched the mood and pace of the film. Having read the book, Bella’s theme is even more haunting and lovely then I imagined it would be.
I did find it a little annoying how clownish the vampires looked in the film. After reading how exquisite Edwards face and skin is, his varying shades of red lips was distracting and disappointing. I think that a more consistent make-up artist could have done a better job.
Speaking of inconsistencies, the direction and choppiness of the film made me hope for a different director and editor in the next film. I know that there were re-shots done so maybe that might have been why. The next story needs someone who can be darker and grittier but still be gorgeous and absorbing.
However I did like the ending of the movie, it left you with that, “can’t wait to see what happens next” feeling I love. To those not sporting a team Edward or a team Jacob tee shirt to this film (hint: this series is primed for a film franchise) this is a good date movie or a night out with the girls (I can’t imagine many hetro-dudes coming to this movie solo.)
Stephanie Meyers dreamt of these two characters one night and had to start writing about them. In the words of the author, “Overall, it's been a true labor of love, love for Edward and Bella and all the rest of my imaginary friends, and I'm thrilled that other people get to meet them now”. Rating:
