“Twilight drives a stake into the heart of film making.”
Listen very closely. Twilight. Did you hear it? When I typed the word Twilight, thousands of teenaged girls screamed simultaneously. It is a natural phenomenon. The new film Twilight, based on the best selling book series by Stephenie Meyer, is the most anticipated film this fall. For some. For others it is a complete mystery. Not having read the books I went into the movie with a totally open mind and no preconceived ideas. I could believe all the hype from my friends who read the books, telling me that this was going to be an amazing film. But, I simply waited, let the film speak for itself. And I am still waiting.
It is hard to summarize the plot without it sounding comical or plain idiotic. Basically 17 year old Bella (Kristen Stewart) moves to a small town in Washington state where she meets and falls for the local high school hottie, Edward (Robert Pattinson). Edward is not like the other guys. It isn’t so much that he has a face as white as Casper the ghost or that he stares off into space like Edward scissorhands on Quaaludes. There is something else. Oh, yeah, he is a vampire. But no one knows. These aren’t the living dead who sleep in coffins or can’t see themselves in a mirror. In fact they do not sleep at all and are far too pretty not to have a few mirrors around. When Edward’s love for Bella puts her in mortal danger decisions have to be made. And love drives it all.
The bottom line is this. This film, like the books, was not made for me. So to set here and tear it apart would not be totally fair. I wasn’t expected to like it. In fact it might be a little strange if I did. Like collecting American Girl Dolls. It was obvious at the screening who the film was created for and even more obvious how it was received by that select group. They loved every minute of it, apparent by screams, giggles and cooing noises. An easy way to figure out if you will be in that select group is this. If you are old enough to actually drive yourself to the theater, you might be a little too old to fully get it and appreciate it. Though the film is based on high school characters I see this being huge for the 13-15 female set. And glad of it. They need a film to rally around. Young boys are always getting films like Iron Man and The Dark Knight.
As a film it falls short in a few areas. One, it feels, moves, sounds, acts and breathes like a Tuesday night prime time TV series. Not once does it simulate a big screen production. I like the characters. And the humor of a human mingling with a family of vampires had modern day Adams Family moments. The ensemble cast worked well with the story and script. But again, like they were doing Television. And there is a big difference. This movie gives you a glimpse into the characters, makes you like them, but doesn’t allow them to evolve. If I could watch them on TV each week, get to really know them, I might like it more. The love story is cute. Though at times I felt like I was watching Anakin Skywalker and Padme all over again. Edward being whiney and pouty and Bella constantly telling him to suck it up.
Twilight is Rated PG-13 for some violence and a scene of sensuality. It is totally safe for those 10 and up even though the mushy love scenes might drive some late bloomers to roll their eyes. Edward is dreamy, even with his Christopher Walken hair, and that will be a draw for most females. You know your kid better than anyone and if they are into the books at all then just try and keep them from seeing this. You will lose that battle for sure, but it isn’t a battle you should try and win. Those who have no connection with the books and just want a decent love story in a well made film need not bother. This is not the one for you. I could go ahead and give it 2.5 out of 5 blank stares but what would be the use. Again, I’m not expected to like it. And as a film to spend hard earned, sweaty, wads of movie cash on, didn’t.
Matt Mungle (matt@mungleshow.com) (11/19/08)
For additional reviews, interview clips and great DVD giveaways, visit the website www.mungleshow.com”
Review copyright 2008 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission.
(10 votes, average: 4.5 out of 5)
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23 users commented in " Twilight - Movie review "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackI agree, the movie was disappointing. Kristen Stewart had this werid studder which completley ruined the scenes, Bella never was like that. Robert mixed up his emotions, like when Bella entered the room to Chemistry he seemed like he wanted to puke, when in the book he wanted to kill her, he was stiff and very uncomfortable. If her scent was the greatest scent to him why would he want to puke on her.
The movie felt like it was 2 seconds long. It had no detail only event after event which made it terrible. I hated how they added that scene with the field trip and Edward was acting like a gerk, Edward was never mean to Bella in the Book, he wanted to protect her. i hated how they mixed scenes up, like the Meadow that was Edwards special spot that he should to Bella, in the movie it wasent like that at all. And when Bella escaped the hotel to James, they made it seem so simple, when in reality it was so hard for her to get out. I just hope in the next movie “New Moon” they have more detail it would make it a lot better.
i agree with the time i felt like it was too short like it just swept right through it but other than that i felt like i couldn’t breath through the whole movie it was very good
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OMEC!!!
I love twilight
I cant wait til they make another movie
I am a major fan
but darn it why does Edward have to be fictional
The Twilight series is amazing . I have never read anything better in my hole entire 15 years i’ve lived on earth. This book made me belive that love at first sight is possible. The movie definatly wasent better than the book but then again the books are always better than the movies. Also i think Robert Pattinson was the perfect person to play the role of Edward. I think Stephenie Myer is an amazing writer and i think she should continue writing such good books because i dont know what i would do without them.
Amanda
Okay, well Twilight book series, fantastic. &I am not into these kind of books. But of course I fell in love with Edward, and everything else. As do all. I read the first book in 8th grade. Now I’m in tenth. It’s sad how long it took the book to actually be recongized. But at least her work has been recongnized. I think everyone who had read the book, was disapointed because of everyone’s high standards of the book. For the people who haven’t read the book, the movie was amazing. So I rate the movie around a seven. Robert was great as the role of Edward. They could have done a better job, but I will be showing up to the premiere of the next movie New Moon.
If you haven’t read the book how could you understand the passion and longing they have for each other. How they feel one could not live without each other and the physical pain each of them feels when apart. I can only hope the studio hires a new team of writers, directors and hair and makeup crew for ‘New Moon’. They should also consider a soundtrack that actually works with the scenes.
I loved the book series but yes the movie wasn’t as good but think back, when is any movie ever as good as the book? think about harry potter or the notebook. books are always usually betetr also i am pretty sure they could of found a better bella. She had too extream of emothions. she never laughed nor smiled throught the hole damn movie not even when she was suposed to be happy and that pissed me off cuz when she fell in love with him in the book i pictured a huge grin on her face and her happy all over. Don’t get me wrong i did enjoy the movie i just think the actors could have been better and there should have been much more detail. I read the book when i was a sophomore and loved the series. I am now a senior and now this book is a huge hit. It’s weird how long twilight has been out but people are just now reading and loving it. odd.
As a reader of the series I felt that the movie was done beautifully. I do however feel that the special effects need improvement and I would like the next movie to include more on the gifts of the other Vampires, particularly Jasper’s ability to control others moods (although New Moon doesn’t really discuss it as Twilight reads). As an avid reader, particularly the Harry Potter books and the Twilight series I have a high respect of how loyal the movie makers have been to the novels. It is very hard to make such a beloved novel into a movie for many to appreciate. Luckily enough now that Twilight was such a hit more money will be put to make New Moon. I feel each character was cast successfully, especially with Kristen Stewart who really shows both the strength and vulnerability of Bella. I feel the next movie will showcase the actors talents more and understanding of the characters. I can’t wait for Jacob Black in becoming a bigger character- I look forward to seeing how they betray his story.
I agree with your comment, “This movie gives you a glimpse into the characters, makes you like them, but doesn’t allow them to evolve.”
Then you shouldn’t read the books. The same comment applies. The characters fall flat.
Given that the first book was the best of the four, the next movie should be just as disappointing to the over 15 crowd.
I love the twilight series and think that they are the best books i have every read. I thought the movie was okay. It seemed to go a little fast for me. I thought they did a good job with the casting though. Robert was perfect for edward, he made the whole movie worth seeing. I am looking forward to seeing new moon!
well. i’ve read all the books. i enjoy them, though i am too old for them as they surely attract the teeny-boppers. It was an easy ready and easy enough to like. but the movie was devastating. I think for the age group that the books are for, the movie was well enough for them, probably because every one of them is “in love” with edward cullen and now robert pattinson it seems. but the movie showed no emotion, it was like watching a group of people getting up and doing a 2 hour charade of Twilight. no emotion, horrible special effects, cheesy lines, and awkward moments that were not actually supposed to be awkward. i laughed out loud at serious parts. i hope the movies improve.
Ok to start off with the movie was one of the biggest let downs ever. Hell the harry potter books were such a big deal and the movies were great, twilight was just ruined. If you didnt read the book you’d be kind of confused, wouldnt actually understand the depth of the connection between Bella and Edward. They missed major conversations, changed parts that shouldnt have been changed. I agree the roles of Bella and Edward were great but not mind blowing, As for the rest of the cast there was just no connection at all. The cullens didnt look or act like they did in the books for example Rosalie is meant to be stunning, but she’s not really, Alice is meant to be all fashionable and walk all fluid and dancing like but in the movie she’s not. Ok fair enough you cant get every single detail perfect and couldnt make the movie 5hrs long just to please fans but they could have made it longer and tried a little harder. In my eyes its a 3 out of 10. A big let down.
Heres a shocker, a guy (who isn’t gay) that didn’t mind the twilight movie. I have never read the books (don’t intend on it) but from just getting up and going to see the movie it was pretty good. It really wasn’t chick-flicky, it was all around a good movie. Unlike alot of reviews, I saw a great connection between the characters, especially Edward and Bella. Was it AMAZING? No. Was it a good movie? Yes. It did go by fast, needed to be longer. So for those who haven’t read the books and are thinking “Should I go see this movie?” Yes, give it a try. 4/5 for me. Keep in mind though that almost every movie made after a book is not as good as the books, so don’t let the “Oh my my my, it wasn’t as good as the book” reviews get you off track.
OMG…the books are awesome…the movie sucked. If you read the books, you know all sorts of details…which were just skipped in the book. just a few off hand…the cabinets in the kitchen were yellow in the book, blue in the movie. They NEVER went out to dinner in the first book, Bella did the cooking…Bella never cooked in the movie, and they went out to dinner. Bella’s bedroom faced the front yard in the book, the back yard in the movie. the Cullen house…garage was a separate building, not under the house. and the house was all wrong in the movie. Until Alice brings them up, Victoria, James and Laurent are not part of the book, and they dont kill people in the area…no one dies in forks in first book, except of bordom…oh that was the movie(oh, there are so many other glaring problems)
The acting was forced. They were clearly not the right actors for the characters they played. If you liked the books, do not waste your money on the movie…if you feel you have to see it, rent the movie, at least you don’t feel as guilty when you turn it off in disgust.
i’ve read the series only because i didn’t have anything better to do and besides, the books were downright cheap. while i did like the first book, i find the sequels so-so. when i learned via the net that twilight is going to be a movie, i was at least excited because i liked the first book. however, i felt cheated when i watched the movie. low budgeted, despite the hype. the cinematography, not much to be desired. the actors, ill-suited for their roles. the wardrobe, which is supposed to be superbly fashionable for the vampires, downright dowdy. arghh
I thought Edward was the cutest vampire out of all the other guy vampires!!!
i thought Edward was the hottest vampire out of all the other male Vampires!!!
As far as I am concerned, Twilight is a wonderful movie. I am 21. I had not read the books before watching it, so it may have influenced… and I liked it from the very beginning.
Yes, the film let’s you see the deep connection between the characters. Maybe if you have already read the books, knowing as much as you know, it might be a disappointment. But if not, it is a beautiful story that keeps you at the edge of your seat.
It is not a low-budget film, it is just that the director got so involved with it that she managed to make an author-movie instead of a Hollywood superproduction.
The photography is wicked, that blue, cold colour suits perfectly. The soundtrack is wicked as well! It is key to the story… without the music, the film would not have been the same, I hope they keep the compositor for the next one, he just gets the perfect note for each moment.
The actors do what they are supposed to do and play good roles, the film draws the attention on the way they stare at each other instead of the words they say, unlike the book.
In conclusion… it is the first time that I can say that a film was better than the book (I have read the books now). In the books you only have the story (and your imagination), and to be honest, the story is not revolutionary. But with the film, they have turned it into a wonderful thing. Because not only is it influenced by the script, but you have got to consider the actors, the photography, the music, the director’s touch… and it makes a very good movie overall. Go watch it!
PS. It is very easy to touch people’s emotions if you make a film about a VIH victim who is about to die… but to make such a thing with a fantasy, happy-ended story is not easy, and they have achieved it.
Pretty decent review, although not harsh enough in my eyes. If you want, take a look at my Twilight Movie Review. It takes a more critical look at the film.
i wonder what will be more successful/popular in the long run, Twilight or Harry Potter
Twilight will never reach Harry Potter status only because of the huge fan base harry has. Twilight doesn’t appeal to such a big amount of people.
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