So, I finally got my hands on a copy of the Twilight movie. I have read all the books multiple times and feel like I have a good grasp on the story, the characters, and the mythos…
So what happened to the movie???
Did the director even READ the books before she made this thing? Did she realize that not only did she leave out extremely important scenes (such as the blood typing in biology class) and discussions, but she took great liberties in adding scenes (dinner at the Cullen’s and the attacks from James’ coven) and changing the order.
Now I have always understood that the visual medium is very different then the written medium and that changes have to be made, however, some of the changes in Twilight were unnecessary. There was no real reason to add in the scenes where James’ coven kills two people. Some may say that it helped explain that these were “bad” vampires but in reality it didn’t. The discussions about real (non vegetarian) vampires that Bella had with Edward did a good enough job in the books to get the idea across. It simply became unneeded action to "liven up" the story.
So, when it comes to the movie versus the book…. Well, it is no contest. The book was MUCH better, which usually happens.
Let’s look at the movie by itself then, as separate from the book.
It was an okay movie, not great, but not the worst I had seen. The first half while Bella is trying to figure out what is going on with Edward was a bit slow and awkward. It really seemed to drag on with way too many voiceovers. From the Port Angeles scene on it really seemed to pick up. The actors seemed to finally fit their characters and it didn’t feel as painful to watch. Over all I would give it a 6 or 7 out of 10 and only because there were a couple character and scenes that I LOVED.
Let me break it down into the best and the worst:
-Best Performance: This is a tough one as some of the performances were really up there. My favorites were Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black, Ashley Greene as Alice Cullen, Cam Gigandet as James, Rachelle Lefevre as Victoria, and Billy Burke as Charlie Swan. All of these people seemed to have a feel for the characters they were asked to play.
Gigandet had James down to a science. He was able to make the viewer feel like they were the ones being hunted and you could feel the fear he would inspire in his prey. I am truly sad that the character of James was killed in Twilight now as I would have LOVED to see Gigandet portray him again.
Burke created a very lovable and believable Charlie. You could feel his love as a father for Bella and his worries/concerns for her. He also had some of the BEST lines of the movie! There were times I was laughing out loud (in a good way) at the lines as he delivered them. “I’ve heard that before” after Edward promises to take good care of Bella before they head to prom is a great example. The line may have fizzled with any other actor saying them, but Burke had Charlie down pat and you believed this is how the character would have sounded.
It will be very interesting to see how the other actors grow and evolve with their characters and I think we will see great things from them in New Moon.
-Worst Performance: Easy, the main characters, Robert Pattinson as Edward and Kristen Stewart as Bella. I couldn’t help but laugh every time Edward was upset about something because Pattinson looked like he had smelled horse shit. I felt like singing “How could this happen to me?”. Kristen was just as bad, but in another sense… she never looked like she felt anything BUT confusion. She constantly had this dazed look on her face, no matter what the scene called for.
-Best Scene(s): Vampires playing baseball… need I say more? Great effects with a great set of actors. It was great to finally see that visually as it was also one of my favorite scenes in the book. I also really loved when James’ coven arrives at the clearing… you could feel the tension. It was without a doubt the best scene in the whole film and if the whole movie had been as well done, it would have been amazing.
-Worst Scene(s): Anything at the High School, but especially the scenes at Biology class. These were some of the worst offenders of Pattinson's funny faces and the most boring of conversations.
-WTH: I have agree with many people when it comes to the effect of Edward's skin in the sunlight. It really did just make him look sweaty. I expected better from ILM.
I’m really looking forward to New Moon and I hope that the new director can do a better job then Twilight’s did. I am excited to know that Taylor Lautner will be back as Jacob and that Dakota Fanning will be playing the role of Jane. I think Fanning it the perfect choice and I know she can pull off the creepy vibe that Jane gives off. I am also excited to get to know the Wolf Pack and have them become a real part of the series.
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