'Twilight' movie misrepresents vampire romance
Film adaptation fails to match novel's description
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People of all ages assembled in front of the doors of Edwards 21 Cinemas to watch the midnight premiere of the Twilight movie, based on Stephenie Meyer's award-winning book series. As the year's bestseller with over 17 million copies in print, many teenagers awaited its Nov. 21 big screen debut.
With Catherine Hardwicke as the director, the movie resided at the top of the box office for the Nov. 21-27 week.
The movie begins with a scene of Isabelle "Bella" Swan (Kristen Stewart, Jumper), the main character of the series, moving to live with her father in Forks, Washington. After settling into her new high school, Bella encounters Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson, Harry Potter: The Goblet of Fire), an enchanting and inhumanly handsome classmate who reveals to her the vampiric history of his family. Unlike the vampires of folklore, however, Edward, along with his parents Dr. Carlisle (Peter Facinelli) and Esme (Elizabeth Reaser) and adopted siblings Jasper (Jackson Rathbone), Alice (Ashley Greene), Rosalie (Nikki Reed) and Emmett (Kellan Lutz), constitute a fangless clan with special abilities who refuse to drink human blood.
Bella and Edward fall in love almost instantly, fulfilling his 90-year search for a soul mate. Throughout the film and the books, Edward suffers a temptation to indulge in Bella's blood ? more than any other human ? and risk destroying their relationship, not to mention her life.
With the combined power of Edward's telepathy, Alice's premonitions and Jasper's recognition of and control over moods, the Cullens help protect Bella from dangers. Three nomad vampires in the area ? James (Cam Gigandet), Laurent (Edi Gathegi) and Victoria (Rachelle Lefevre) ? present numerous threats to Bella's safety, resulting in a series of events across state borders to escape James' insatiable thirst for her blood.
In their adaptation of the story line, the film's crew often mixed different aspects of the novel. These changes, although minor, often distorted important details. For example, in the book, the Cullens reside in an old-fashioned mansion. In the movie, however, the vampire family lives in a modern-day house. Although not a significant difference, the change does not allow for many of the more enjoyable scenes.
Although I would have preferred a different actor to play Edward, Pattinson successfully portrays the character. As I read the books, Edward appeared as a handsome man with black hair and more of a soft look, in contrast to Pattinson's rougher appearance. Despite discrepancies between Pattinson and my mental image, he engages scenes with precision and authenticity, such as when he speeds to rescue Bella from men in Seattle.
On the other hand, Stewart agreed with my imagination and played a convincing role as Bella. In several scenes, such as when Bella must fake a hatred for the city in order to escape from James, Stewart powerfully demonstrates her acting talent.
Although the movie represented the main theme of the book well, it lacked sufficient description. The 122-minute film neglected many minor details that augmented the novel's enjoyment. For Twilight novices, the movie was incredible, but for fans of the series, the film fell short of the hype.
Twilight is rated PG-13 "for some violence and a scene of sensuality" and is playing at most local theaters. For show times and tickets, visit Fandango. For more movie reviews, visit the Dec. 2 article, Bond flick busts big screen.
Posted by "Doug Daniel" on February 27, 2009 at 12:27 a.m.
This movie is an insult to the horror genre. Vampires should be evil.
Posted by "Melissa Lichti" on February 24, 2009 at 12:27 a.m.
Well, not that a vampire doesn't sound enticing and all. ... I, personally, would prefer a human who has faults and flaws like everyone else.
Posted by "Darlene Idsinga" on January 28, 2009 at 12:27 a.m.
i absolutely loved this movie, but I didn't read the book which can make perpectives different. After seeing this movie, I really want a vampire in my life. hehe
Posted by "Austen Houts" on December 19, 2008 at 12:27 a.m.
Yeah, I agree...the movie was lacking in special effects since it was a low budget film, but as a newbie twilight fan, I enjoyed it!
Good job though, Gigi, the article was an accurate description of the movie.
Posted by "Kendall Wheeler and Julianne King" on December 19, 2008 at 12:27 a.m.
We agree with many things you said. Although there were only a few small changes, fans of the books believe those changes are huge.
Yet, all in all, it was a good movie for its low budget. Good article and description of the movie, Gigi!
Posted by "Elise" on December 19, 2008 at 12:27 a.m.
I must say I disagree. I don't think it was distorted at all, especially if your biggest complaint is that they got the house wrong.
I personally really enjoyed Robert's performance. I think he did a great job. No, he didn't look like my Edward. But I really did not expect him too.
Posted by "Rikki" on March 23, 2009 at 12:27 a.m.
As a qoute "newbie" Twilight fan, who hasn't read the book, I think it's the fans who HAVE read the book who set themselves up for dissapiontment, with the film.
Whenever has a movie been better then the book? Nothing will ever compare to the personal interpretation of a novel. You will never get the full effect of the emotions, settings,story line etc. onto the big screen.
That being said, don't let the hype get to you. Sure the movie is still great, even having read the book. But why would you even want the movie to be as good or better then the book. You wouldn't want to read the book any more!
I wouldn't want the job of translating a novel to the big screen. Having to interpret not only your own vision of it, but everyone else's as well. Then having to choose which sceens are more important, which ones you have to have in the movie and which ones you literally can't put into the movie because it wouldn't make sense or let the movie flow.
I'm buying the book today and I'm expecting it to be much better than the movie!
Calgary, Alberta, Canada