"Twilight" Film Review

After all those months of waiting, speculating, and agonizing over the Twilight phenomenon, I finally, finally watched it a mere few hours ago. The question is, did the Twilight movie deliver?

Twilight is a 2008 teenage vampire romance film directed by Catherine Hardwicke. The film is based on the Twilight novel by Stephanie Meyer. The film stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Cam Gigandet, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Nikki Reed, Kellan Lutz, Ashley Greene, and Jackson Rathbone.

I have NOT read the book. I will be reviewing this movie solely as a bystander who was only slightly influenced by both the awed fans of Twilight, and those who think that Twilight is an insipid offence to good literature.

Having said all that, I was a little skeptical of all the hoopla about the movie. By the time I got to watch it, all I expected to see was an angsty-lovey-dovey-hormonal-psuedogothic-vampire-semiaction-teenflick.

And I got exactly what I expected to see.

The movie is worth watching, there is no doubt about that, it was entertaining in itself even without the novel background. I would probably watch it even if it isn’t as uberfamous as it is. The main problem I have with this whole Twilight phenomenon is that its reputation precedes what it delivers. Was the Twilight movie even actually good?

Sure, the vampire superhuman action was fun to watch, but it left the audience a little short, especially in the final “fight scene.” Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson had a believable chemistry. And an extra kudos to Kristen Stewart, because as expected, she was an amazing actress. She brought a subtle strength to Bella that I didn’t expect her character to have. I don’t think Edward Cullen would make me immediately drop to my knees and beg him to marry me, but I understand his appeal. Robert Pattinson has definitely proven himself worthy of the “beautiful Edward Cullen” character. I also loved the rest of the Cullen family. Any scene with the whole family are my favorite scenes in the film. Seeing more of them is enough of an incentive to see the next film, “New Moon.” The music was also good, if not a little clichéd in some parts. That Debussy thing? Over the top cheesiness. But still understandable, after all, it wouldn’t have been an authentic teen-vampire-love story if some classical music wasn’t mentioned. Speaking of cheesiness, even though I’m a self-confessed hopeless romantic, there were still some parts in the film that just made me instinctively roll my eyes, particularly the parts when Edward and Bella are alone in the woods acting out the tortured love thing. Was not amused, nor entertained in those parts. Way, way, WAY too much cheese, and it wasn’t the yummy, creamy Mozzarella kind.

But overall, Twilight is a good film, and a great excuse to go to the mall after school. The movie gave me a new respect for the Twilight novel series, even if it didn’t totally convince me to want to read it. By the way, for all those who still think that the Bella character is a weak teenage girl who is absolutely obsessed with her controlling boyfriend, I disagree. In the movie (and I’m not sure if this is solely thanks to the brilliance of Kristen Stewart), Bella clearly takes charge of what she wants, and Edward was clearly the one taking orders from Bella. I don’t know about the novel, but I am really happy with how the movie portrayed Bella’s character.

So I ask again, did Twilight really deliver?

Well…

It satisfied my expectations, but to be honest, I was a skeptic from the start and I didn’t have very high expectations. Do I think the Twilight film is worthy of fanatics sleeping outside theaters waiting for the opening?

Simply. No.

Twilight's final poster is just plain creepy

Okay, obviously I'm not an expert in the art of poster making. But glancing at this image just gives me the feeling like I'm relating a different story to the wrong image. I mean, aren't Bella and Edward supposed to be in love? I have no factual idea about how vampires are supposed to love someone, so maybe that look of murderous intent and general creepiness is a vampire's way of showing undying (pardon the pun) devotion?

There has been numerous debates about Stephanie Meyer's Twilight novel series and the main female protagonist's personality as a low self-esteem girl and her obsession with a dangerous vampire. I'm just as much of a hopeless romantic as the next girl and I've already announced my appreciation for all things vampiric, but I'm still not sure who or what to believe.

Kim Voynar's article: Is Twilight Anti-Feminist? is especially enlightening about the novel, its author, and the answers to the popular debates concerning feminism. Also, check out the comments, because there are also some very good points from the audience.

I haven't read the novels, but after hearing about all the controversy surrounding it, I kinda want to read it and form my own opinion...like now.

Some Pattinson with a Push of Potter

Due to numerous requests, here are a few photos of Robert Pattinson. For the oblivious few who don't know, Robert Pattinson played Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire. He's recently reached a high level of fame thanks to his role as Edward Cullen in the upcoming vampire flick, Twilight.

At the San Diego Comic Con

with Kristen Stewart on the set of Twilight

as Edward Cullen in Twilight

By the way, for those big Twilight fans, I've got some good news for you, the Twilight film release date has been rescheduled to be released three weeks earlier than planned.

You can catch the film on November 21.

Now, onto less pleasant news, the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince release date has been pushed back to July 19, 2009.

To make things clear, the Twilight and Harry Potter's rescheduling of their release dates have no relation to each other whatsoever, Stephanie Meyer herself said so on her official website.

Alan Horn, the president of Warner Bros, said that the main reason for the release delay is because of the writer's strike.

"Like every other studio, we are still feeling the repercussions of the writers strike, which impacted the readiness of scripts for other films-changing the competitive landscape for 2009 and offering new windows of opportunity that we wanted to take advantage of," he said. "We agreed the best strategy was to move Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to July, where it perfectly fills the gap for a major tent pole release for mid-summer."

All I can say is:

Bummer.

Our Trail of the Month (August 2008)

Some new trailers for some upcoming movies.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
It's the sixth installment in the Harry Potter series, and we get more wizardry goodness, and evilness of course.

Max Payne
Max Payne is a film based on the popular video game. Some (actually, a lot) may argue that Mark Wahlberg doesn't look anything like Max Payne, and I kinda agree. But I will say though that this character suits Wahlberg way, way, waaay better than that whiney school teacher he played in The Happening.

The Day the Earth Stood Still
This is a remake of the 1951 film. I'll probably post a little something about film remakes later, but for now, enjoy the pretty trailer with the pretty cast and the pretty graphics in a pretty frickin cool sci-fi movie.

The Quantum of Solace
It's the sequel to Casino Royale, and James Bond is back for more suave action. I've been hearing complaints that the trailer doesn't really give any oomph factor, and that it isn't exciting enough. But if they give all the good parts away in the trailer, I bet people would be complaining that there aren't any surprises left, and that the trailer ruined the movie. I'm just happy that I get to take a peek at the new Bond film.

The Princess and the Frog
How cute is this? How frickin cute is this? I'm so glad to see Disney go back to its roots and give us some classic 2D mush. And the best part? It's being directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, directors of Little Mermaid and Aladdin, my favorite Disney classics, and it has music from musical guru Randy Newman. I am so watching this.

The House Bunny
I know, it's a cliched chick flick comedy, complete with geeky girls in fashion montages. But it's written by Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah Lutz, writers of Legally Blonde. It's produced by Happy Madison. And Anna Faris is one of the few actresses who can get me to really laugh. And yes, your eyes are not mistaken, American Idol season 5 runner up Katharine McPhee is in it. And Rumer Willis too (daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, for those of you who don't know). So yeah, I'm watching it.

Rachel Getting Married
Seeing Anne Hathaway in this kind of role threw me for a loop. But I think it's pretty cool that she's stepping aside from the good girl routine.

Twilight
A new trailer for those avid Twilight fans. And a second look for those who aren't.

Twilight Phenomenon

Everyone seems to be all gung-ho with the Twilight fever. Many are saying that Stephanie Meyer is the next J.K. Rowling. I haven’t read the Twilight books, I’m still waiting to be convinced by the movie on whether the whole story is worth knowing. I’m a general fan of vampires (love Buffy, Angel, Underworld, Blade, Anne Rice etc.), but I’m not as enamored by the whole tortured love thing that Edward and Bella seem to be wrapped in as others. Having said all that, I really can’t wait for the movie. It’s one thing to give up 2 or 3 hours everyday of your week to read a book about teenage-vampire-love-angst, and another to watch a full length film with gripping action and heart pounding sounds.

So yes, definitely can’t wait for the film.

I’m expecting Kristen Stewart to deliver another profound performance, as she’s always done in all of her films. She’s one of the best actresses of her generation, in my book.

Robert Pattinson’s performance is a little harder to gauge, after all, all I’ve seen him in so far is in Harry Potter: Goblet of Fire.

If you visit the official site of the Twilight film, you can watch a minute-long clip from the movie that shows a good amount of action. All of the Twilight footage I’ve seen reminds me of a Covenant-esque feel to the film. The main difference being that there are vampires instead of warlocks. That’s actually not a bad thing, I really like The Covenant. Still, The Covenant lacked plot substance and character development, and the film didn’t live up to all the hype it created.

I hope Twilight won’t make the same mistake.

Here’s a little behind the scenes preview from ET.

(from edwardandbella.net)

Twilight will premiere on December 12, 2008.