Bella Swan (Kristin Stewart) doesn't expect much when she moves to the small town of Forks, Washington, until she meets the mysterious and handsome Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) - a boy who's hiding a dark secret: he's a vampire. As their worlds and hearts collide, Edward must battle the bloodlust raging inside him as well as a coterie of undead that would make Bella their prey. Based on the #1 New York Times best-selling sensation by Stephenie Meyer, Twilight adds a dangerous twist to the classic story of star-crossed lovers.
Title: Twilight
Release: September 21, 2008
Genre: Fantasy
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Based On: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Writer: Melissa Rosenberg
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Music By: Carter Burwell
Produced By: Mark Morgan, Greg Mooradian, & Wyck Godfrey
Distributed By: Summit Entertainment
Run Time: 121 minutes
Official Site
"Vampires are probably an overdone genre in storytelling. We've all seen a gazillion different vampire movies. And to bring something new to it is very difficult to do. The last person to do it
well was, I think, Joss Whedon and before him Anne Rice. Now we've got Stephenie [Meyer] and she has reinvented the mythology while staying true enough to it that aficionados can still sink their fangs into it," said screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg in an interview about adaptating Meyer’s bestselling book Twilight into the hit film of the same name.A lot went into this film in order to make it even half as successful as the books which included a perfect cast, especially Robert Pattinson as Edward (even the
author said he had the part nailed) and a perfect sountrack as well (Patterson actually sings one of the songs in the movie). I had read the books the week before the movie was released so I didn’t have many objections to the film cast (many people were very upset with some of the casting choices at first but they quickly got over them). I did find some of the selections not quite what I had pictured- Bella’s dad Charlie for example, but when I finally got to see Twilight; even as I had to shift around what I thought they looked like in my head, I was completely blown away. 
The scenes, the landscape, the settings (even if the Cullen house wasn't right) are all brought to life like they sprang right from Stephenie Meyer’s books and I believe that it was almost as good as them too. I do wish the film had been maybe a little longer though but I’m looking forward to buying the DVD on March 21.
This was a fantastic film even if there was some differences from the book and I thought some things could have been explained better (like why the Cullen’s could play baseball only during a thunderstorm). Twilight wasn't perfect and it didn't sweep me off my feet as some special effects and even a little of the dialogue were cheesy, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I’m hoping that since there will be a new director (and hopefully a bigger budget) that some of these issues are addressed in the next movie New Moon.
Related Post: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, & Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Links: Imdb.com, Wikipedia, Reelzchannel, Borders, Fanpop, Fansite 1, Fansite 2
Interview: Shock Till You Drop, Wikipedia Links of Other Interviews, Official YouTube site
Trailer:
Author and Main Cast Interview:
I agree with your assessment of the movie. I actually saw it twice and I will be buying the DVD when it comes out. It's one of those movies that wasn't wonderful or even a favorite, but I still am drawn to the story and want to revisit it again and again.
ReplyDeleteI like the fact that movies have their own take on books, but in some cases it doesn't work. I really enjoyed this movie and the book, though I do agree that the dialogue was a bit cheesy in parts
ReplyDeleteI'm with you and the others who commented. While the movie was exactly like the book (I could have used more kissing scenes personally haha!) it was still good and I still enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI don't normally buy movies, but I already have it on netflix list. Trying to figure out what day I need to return my movie to make sure I get Twlight right away. haha!
I'm with you, Jen. But overall I find the movie entertaining. I might want to get the DVD when it is released.
ReplyDeleteI kept meaning to see this when it was at theatres and never actually made it! I think I am going to have to try and make sure to rent it when it comes out, though.
ReplyDeleteWendy: I couldn't have said it better myself. That's exactly how I feel.
ReplyDeleteSerena: That's why I love reading a book that's been made into a movie, especially older ones that hardly anyone remembers. Twilight was a good film and I doubt it will be forgotten anytime soon, cheesiness notwithstanding.
Kris: I can hardly wait to get the DVD (the 2-disc of course!)
Melody: It was very entertaining but I have hopes that the next one is even better.
Kailana: That happened to me with Inkheart. Twilight is truly a good movie though!
I loved the first book but I havent seen the movie.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to renting it, great review.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Hi LadyTink!
ReplyDeleteGreat movie review!! I loved the movie almost as much as the books. There were lots of discrepancies between the book and the movie, possibly if Stephenie Meyer had written the screenplay, there would have been less. Maybe she felt too close to the saga or lacked the experience to do it justice. I pointed out a few of them, but literary license gives the director and producer more room, and somethings had to be changed so the viewer that hadn't read the books could keep up. All in all, still a good movie.
Dottie :)