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“Twilight”– based on the first book in the best-selling series by Stephenie Meyer – is a faithful adaptation that will satiate the thirst of fans and simultaneously captivate new audiences.
The movie follows the story of Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), a normal girl thrust into a secret supernatural world when she falls in love with her mysterious classmate, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). He just happens to be a vampire.
Ditch your preconceived notions of vampires; this isn't a typical vampire tale. If you are looking for clichéd stereotypes with fangs, coffins, and stakes through the heart, this isn't the movie for you. Director Catherine Hardwicke and screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg stay true to Meyer's vision and create a film that exposes “Twilight” for what it essentially is: a story of the ultimate forbidden love.
Hardwicke once again proves her knack for portraying raw teenage experiences, as she did in “Thirteen” and “Lords of Dogtown.” She directs a young cast of phenomenal talent. Leads Stewart and Pattinson throw themselves into their roles and portray their characters exceptionally well. The chemistry between the two is electric.
Stewart gives a fresh, honest take on Bella. Her straightforward interpretation allows viewers to live vicariously through Bella and experience what she does. You feel her longing and desire.
Pattinson conveys Edward's inner turmoil flawlessly. His complex perception of the character creates a believable Edward. He conveys his feelings of vitality and emotional reawakening through his expressions.
The movie also has an outstanding supporting cast. Billy Burke as Bella's father, Ashley Greene as Alice Cullen, and Michael Welch as Mike Newton all deserve a nod for excellent portrayal of their characters.
The film itself is visually dynamic. The movie is shot in crisp blue tones. The costumes are pallid, veering away from traditional vampire attire. Bella's wardrobe becomes closer to the Cullens' as she grows closer to them. The nomad vampires appear savage in clothes taken from their victims.
Filmed in Portland, Oregon, the movie features stunning views and beautiful landscapes. Because of the small budget, action sequences were done physically. Though some may find the special effects lacking, the simplicity enhances Hardwicke's unique documentary-style filming. Using extreme close-ups and whimsical angles, the camera work gives the movie an intimate, realistic feel.
The music ties in to the story perfectly. Consisting of moody, angst-filled rock songs, the soundtrack fits the tone. From Muse's upbeat “Supermassive Black Hole” playing during a game of vampire baseball, to Iron and Wine's romantic “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” at prom, the songs set the mood for the scenes.
A longer film would have allowed more time to explain the essentials of the plot, making it easier for those who have not read the book. Although it mirrors the book very closely, many scenes had to be cut. The danger of the nomadic vampires is threaded throughout the movie to create more tension. The essence of the story is present, making changes in details insignificant; the movie's creators successfully captured the elements that made readers fall in love with Bella and Edward.
The book and the movie are equally satisfying, albeit in different ways, and neither is better. While you can imagine the detailed story unfolding in your head when reading the book, the movie creates a sweet condensed version for the big screen. Both allow you to lose yourself in this passionate, unorthodox romance.
All components work together nicely in “Twilight” to efficiently bring the book to life. The film is a beautiful mixture of romance, action, comedy, and horror, containing aspects that will appeal to everyone.
This piece has also been published in Teen Ink's monthly print magazine.
mycheriseamourI'm sorry, but as someone who dabbles in screenwriting myself, I must say that Twilight is an absolute piece of inartistic, melodramatic, horribly-written piece of junk. The screenwriter should be shot, and so should the author. It's totally cliched...ooh, forbidden romance - I saw that movie in '95! Read the screenplay, and disregard the hot actors, and you will see that the lines suck - "I know what you are," COME ON! What's happening to this world creatively. I&#... (more »)
BasketballChick5ok, i agree with Josiphione_Flick the movie doesnt match the books at all atleast thats what my sister tells me!!! I don't plan on reading these books they sound lame sorry tho!!!! The movies are good but yea....But Bella Gets on my nerves adn so does edward i don't like them.....They make a good couple tho because they are weird and clingy... and i agree shes sounds likE A MAN!
SARA!
Joesiphine_FlickOkay, the books are what people LOVE!! I absolutely adore the books. The movies though, well, let's just say it's as entertaining as George Lopez. Not to sound rude, but Kristen Stweart sounds like a man, and stutters way too much. And she makes the worst expressions. Robert Pattinson is O.K. at acting, but I don't think he fits Edward. The director of the movie obviously didn't read it, because the lines are so boring and Edward is supposed to be nice and funny, but still s... (more »)
chicken dude said...
Mar. 11 at 12:38 pm:
Mar. 11 at 12:38 pm:
This is a very good review and the movie was good 2 and the books!!!!!!!
I don't see why everyone is inlove with twilight!!!! its so boring i read like 5 chapter of each book and could not read any more its was boing....and the characters on the movie are boring except Taylor he is so HOTTTTT! Edward on the other hand is so weird in my opinion hes not cute.... And Bella wow i really don't like her for the Movie she so Bland adn not exciting!
XilaberryActually, I am more inclined to agree with BasketballChick. Twilight has no literary value whatsoever. The reason it has become so popular is because it, essentially, is every straight girls dream to have two beautiful guys fall madly in love with her, and Bella is so completely personality deficit (being clumsy does not count as a personality trait) that girls and women everywhere can project themselves onto her.
live4vball96I personally didn't like Twilight. I think it's a Harry Potter wanna-be and it left me wondering in a lot of parts. Since i didn't read the books (though i tried, i just got bored) my family was having to explain a lot to me throughout the movie. It was pretty good, but not the best movie I have ever seen.
i agree that its not the best movie ever, but i dont htink it is a harry potter wanna be
i mean it doesnt even have wizards, and the books are two completly different genres, teilight is romance, and harry potter is adventure.
NecromanceDance said...
Feb. 18 at 9:13 pm:
Feb. 18 at 9:13 pm:
Personally, I've never really liked Twilight. The way I look at it, Bella has no personality. Edward loves Bella simply because she SMELLS good. After all, there's nothing else he could love her for. She's not attractive (says so herself), and she has no personality. There's nothing they share in common, and no chemical connection. Bella is also marrying Edward simply because Edward says he will not have sex with her unless she does so. That doesn't sound like a pleasa... (more »)
I used to love this series so much. I would try to get everyone to read it. I was in line at midnight for both of the movies so far as well as the last two books. But recently I realized what crap they are. HARRRY POTTER FOREVER :)
They do fall in love too fast in the movie... But it is a movie. They have to cut a lot from the book--its a 500 page book turned into a 2 hour movie. I loved Ashley Greene as Alice, especially in New Moon. She had the best lines.
Kira said...
Feb. 18 at 1:56 pm:
Feb. 18 at 1:56 pm:
I must disagree. I think the movie was very UNfaithful to the books, which were silly to begin with. Maybe I'm being unforgiving in my thoughts, but I believe that those characters that Stephanie Meyer created were not vampires at all, simply closest to vampires in nature, and therefore given that oversimplified name. I didn't enjoy either.
trbluegood book just a bad made movie.
it's to short and thay have a deep love conection in the book. it's not really showen in the movie.
sethsgirl
By far the best review I've seen on this site. It seems that some teens do know how to write after all. Personally, I loathed the movie/books. But it was a great review!
Kristen stuart played the part well, because i think she fits the character but i think it could've been better. i think people critize her acting based on the book only because it is written in first person so the reader is obviously connected to bella because it is as if they themselves are bella.
and i definitely think the book outweighs the movie in so many ways. although the movie makes it come alive visually it misses the emotional part to it. especially new moon movie did not mirror the book. however i can't wait for eclipse to come out. that was by far the best book in the series
i think that it also has to do with the director and the way that he/she manages the movie. and the scenes that are put into the movie.
Yeah, I guess I agree that Kristen Stewart did seem to play Bella differently then the real Bella in the books. And Edward was supposed to have a good sense of humor, but it wasn't like that in the movie
i agree. i think edward should've been different, as in politer/chivalrous because he is indeed much older than bella. what was it? born in 1800's or something?
I think that your article was great, but I think that Catherine Hardwicke could have made it a little more accurate. The soundtrack is great, though.
I always pictured Bella and Edward having different personalities than in the movie, but that's just me.
Also, in the books, Edward didn't want Bella to be afraid, although he knew that she should be. But, overall, I think that the movie was sweet and could make someone cry, no matter how many things were different fro... (more »)
Allegria-StarlingThat's a very generous review. I wouldn't say Kristen Stewart's acting is that good- okay, so it's a subjective opinion, but the actors aren't exceptional as you say. I find there are too many 'serious' parts in this movie where the characters talk alot. In the beginning you take it seriously but after a while it simply gets boring. A lot of it could have been cut out or abridged, making this long film a little shorter.
That aside, I think your review is ... (more »)
i thin k robert pattinson did a good job being edward cullen because he is hott just like edward. lol. even though they are the same person. i liked how stephenie meyer wrote twilight and the rest of the series. i read them like 4 times cause i thought they were so well writen.
Dynastyi dont think Kirsten stewart is a good actor but robert pattison is ok
Yeah, but well "exceptional" and "ok" are two verrry different things =D
Amazing article, I'm glad there are a few more people in the world who realize what a bunch of complete crap the books and movies are. After seeing New Moon there's no freakin way I'm seeing Eclipse. This made me laugh, nice work.
toxic.monkeyagree with most of it, except that i think it's a terrible movie :P
AND Kristen Stewart has completely utterly absolutely failed bella swan. bella is meant to be this responsible, quiet, almost funny and very special person- instead we get a stuttering, lost, unexpressionate drip... disappointing.
YES! Kristen Stewart ruined Bella, although Bella was ruined to begin with. Honestly what happened to girls kicking butt instead of waiting for some stupid vampire to come save them. She was a weak character to begin with and Stewart made her worse.
i kinda disagree but good points. I think Kristen is more used to really serious, risky roles. Twilight in most ways is that, or it's planned to be. I think the actors were great, but ur right. There was something missing. I disagree that Kristen ruined Bella, but I do think she needs to fit more into the character Bella's personality. Her personality is just much different than the character's & maybe shez having a sumwhat hard time.
lol i do agree wit Sheridan bout her just waiting 4 someone 2 save her. I mean really?
sorry, but aren't good actors the ones who can actually suit themselves to a character they are playing rather than fail creating a strong character?
LGscholarWow! That was so good. You have brilliant word choice and i agree with almost everything you said! 9 out of 10 stars to you!
bubbasamanthaOkay, for those of you who think Kristen Stewart did a horrible job in this movie, I thought she was intriguing! Sure, maybe she didn't act like the Bella I pictured, but I found her acting in this movie kind of haunting and mysterious, and I absolutely LOVED it! I now consider Kristen as one of my favorite actresses just from seeing her perform in this single film! Plus, she did just a good job in New Moon, too! Keep up the good work, Kristen!
Damoni didne like any book or movie in this series.
hbeats4u2In my opinian I absolutley hated the movie. The novel was the best one I have read. (And I have read a lot of novels including Pride and Prejudice.) The movie left out so much romance that book swallowed the reader in. Kristen Stewart has no characteristic qualities with Bella. In the book, it describes Bella as a "normal" girl. But in the movie, I was brought to believe that she was a dull, boring character. The movie was horriblly put together. I can't believe that it was put on air.
InkspiredKay, people: Twilight is a BOOK. It is NOT meant to be a bad influence, it IS meant to be an entertaining story. And in case you didn't notice, there was no real teen pregnancy (bella was married), or underage sex (again, married!). You're really reading too much in this book! And while I admit I'd love to find a guy who loves me as much as Edward loves Bella, that does not mean that I want everything in their relationship. There are just too many arguments to contradict them... (more »)
remym
yes, it is a book, and books can be very bad influences. please do think about it a little. i'd argue edward is an abusive boyfriend. http ://teenink .com /opinion/all/article/149586/The-Case-Against-Twilight/ give the other side's opinion a chance. i read all the books, so its not like i'm just saying its stupid without even trying to like them.
GREAT REVIEW!!!
I saw Twilight. To me, the movie wasn't as good as the book. And I really do think that Kristen needs acting lessons. Honestly that woman had practically one facial expression throughout the whole movie! I'll admit that there were some scenes that were pretty good. So on a scale of one to ten, I'd probably give the movie a 5 or 6.
iluvzak!!!!!!!!i loved the books!!!!!!!! stephenie meyer has got a true talent! While reading the the twilight saga i was an edward fan bc jacob seemed like a complete jerk. But when they made the movie and got Tayler Lautner to play jacob omg i went to team jacob even tho i still totally think hes a jerk for tryin to steal bella way from edward. new moon is hopefully a better movie
Nicolioliolsterz_1Personally, I think that the whole Twilight saga is the greatest book ever. Most people say that its kind of boring and that everything is the same in each book just expressed in different ways. But as a Twilight fan, if you actually sat down and took the time to read the books they are WAYYYYYYYYYY better than the movies are. The movie also don't put in certain scenes in the books. So in a sense, your missing out. But Twilight rulez and people who think it stinx drool!!
jasper said...
Nov. 30, 2009 at 9:43 pm:
Nov. 30, 2009 at 9:43 pm:
the movie and book were both horrible! nice review. imagine how the review would look is a dude wrote it.
Actually, I think Kristen Stewart can't act and needs to stop blinking and staring at people's chins instead of making eye contact, the wholoe thing being blue was irritating, and Pattinson (although very attractive) looked bored.
Kierastar said...
Nov. 30, 2009 at 5:17 pm:
Nov. 30, 2009 at 5:17 pm:
Ok, I understand that there are people who love it and those who hate it. There seems to be no in between. I have to admit I love it. I loved the imagery, the plotline and the fantasy feel. Edward is a gorgeous caring vampire, but it is nothing compared to Pride and Predjudice and Wuthering Heights. There are two complete different genres and styles. People get so worked about different opinions, but if you haven't even tried reading it and ultimately hate it, is just not right. I'd un... (more »)
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