Twilight

[Crazy Flakes]

Okay, I just got back, and here's my review. Basically, here's what I thought...as a movie, it was just awful (although to be fair, the source material wasn't exactly brilliant, either.). As an adaptation and a cheesy teenage guilty pleasure movie (really, it was just your typical teen romance movie with vampires thrown in), I liked it. Here are some of my thoughts on it (I can't resist posting lots and lots of spoilers, so I'll use tags):

Spoiler

I'll start with the good:
- It was very true to the book. They even took some lines out of the book word-for-word, which I'm sure diehard fans will be very happy about, even though some of them were completely out of context (Especially Edward's "So the lion fell in love with the lamb" line. It didn't fit the scene at all.)
- Lots and lots of eye candy. Carlisle was hot, Edward was hotter, Jasper made me c----family friendly board, family friendly board, family friendly board! Alice and Victoria were really hot, too (ironically enough, not so much Rosalie.)
- I normally don't like voiceovers, but they really worked for this.
- Bella was a much stronger character in the movie than she was in the books. That was good.
- The baseball scene was so cool. Alice looked so cute pitching...I loved the little thing she did with her leg. And I loved how they played Supermassive Black Hole in the background.
- I could have sworn I heard some Buffy-speak thrown in there. When I was watching it, I thought I was just crazy, but then I remembered in an interview she said she was a huge fan of the show, so maybe she did use it.
- Charlie and Billy were great. I loved their little fight in the beginning and how they actually gave Charlie a personality.
- The fight scene was kinda cool. Way too short, but cool. And I loved how Alice took down James by snapping his neck! GO ALICE!!!
- Bella actually seemed to love her mother instead of just being like, "Yeah, yeah, I don't care" like she was in the books.
- Jessica was adorable. She probably showed some of the best acting in the movie. And I loved the end where Bella does that little "your boobs look good" gesture and Jessica mouths back, "I KNOW, RIGHT?!"
- The dance at the prom was pretty cute.
- The ending left it very open for a sequel.

The bad:
- STEPHENIE MEYER'S CAMEO. It was about as subtle as a wrecking ball being thrown into your face.
- Not enough of the other Cullens. They especially needed more Jasper, preferably naked and with some sort of oil. He only had one line in the entire movie!
- 90% of the acting was just unbearably bad. Kristen (Bella) had one emotion, and that was "I'm about to start crying." Rob (Edward) tried way too hard, and, even though he gets props for looking the part, his acting was, for the most part, laughable. Cam (James) failed miserably at trying to look badass. Oh, and he made this really weird "RMMMMMMMMMM" noise before he did ANYTHING, and it drove me absolutely insane. In the few scenes he was in, Taylor (Jacob) wasn't even acting...he was just playing himself. The rest of the characters barely got to speak, but what Rosalie did demonstrate deserved a 'tsk, tsk's and a head shake.
- What kind of accent was Laurent using, exactly?
- The swervy camera movements. Especially in the scene where Bella tells Edward she knows he's a vampire. They were completely unnecessary and just made me feel dizzy.
- There were tons of unintentionally funny scenes. Notable ones (aside from Stephenie's shameless self-plug) include the biology scene and Billy and Edward's ~epic~ staredown.
- The special effects were...oy. You could tell it was pretty low-budget. There was way too much slo-mo, the blurry running was just funny, and the super-jumping...yeah, not so good. I admit, the sparkling wasn't quite as bad as I thought it'd be, but still, it was pretty ridiculous.
- As I expected, the whole thing seemed super rushed. Bella and Edward seemed to know each other for all of five seconds before they were "unconditionally, irrevocably in love" with each other.
- Most of Bella's human friends acted like they were five years old.
- Jacob's wig. 'Nuff said.
- The vampire makeup looked kind of ridiculous, especially on Carlisle.
- Still not enough Jasper.

I'm sure there are more things I want to mention, but I can't remember them right now.

 

[austenwings86]

I promised myself, I wasn't going to read Twilight. But I broke that promise today. I brought a copy of the book and my reaction so far is okay. There is a good chance I'm going to rent the movie when it comes out on DVD.

Oh, the guy who plays Edward is kinda hot.

 

[Blair Waldorf-Bass]

When I went, the movie started half an hour later then it was originally scheduled to because of lighting problems. My friends went and the other people that I went with that were my friends's friends are all obsessive Twilight fans. They HATED the movie. A lot of people in the theater who hadn't read the book were shouting at the screen and throwing popcorn. When I started making snarky remarks to my friends about the overall strangeness of it, and the anti-Twilight people started laughing at how stupid they thought it was, the fangirls literally started crying and screaming, "I hate you! I HATE YOU!" ... It was both amusing and a tad bit scary. You could tell it was a low-budget movie, the effects weren't that great, and everything was really rushed. Plus, the screaming and swooning fangirls didn't make it any better. It was funny countering them with "Boo! Edward sucks!" and having them start crying and burst into tears and try to throw popcorn at you, only to discover that you're sitting in the top row. 😛 I thought that the lines put in from the book were very much.... I don't know if "forced" is the right word, but they didn't fit in. And the sparkling? Not such a great way to introduce it. Him running her to the cliff and then saying, "Let me show you what you've fallen in love with," all angry and angsty and then proceeding to... SPARKLE?! What? I did like that Bella was a tad bit more feminist then she was in the books. That was definitely a plus. I thought that the best acting came from Billy and Jessica. I found it a bit amusing how in the book, she has a rickety old computer with bad internet access and then she has a brand new Macbook that's look-alike to mine in the movie. Also, the cameo by Stephenie? Not so amusing. The script was bleh. And what the heck was up with her lullaby being a orchestra? It was also one of the biggest wastes of $11 in my entire life and my money.

Overall, not good. I think that this is largely in part to the fact that they picked the incorrect director. She made it a bit dizzying with all of the rotating close-ups. Everything was over-dramatic. Especially with Edward. He looks like he's going through heavy angst and as one of my friends said, "He looks constipated half the time." I think that they should definitely pick a different director, READ what the irritated critics and furious and dissatisfied fans are saying, and hopefully improve. But I think that most diehard fangirls found it to be the perfect experience.

CrazyFlakes, which possible BTVS reference did you catch?

 

[DrusillaRox]

When I went, the movie started half an hour later then it was originally scheduled to because of lighting problems. My friends went and the other people that I went with that were my friends's friends are all obsessive Twilight fans. They HATED the movie. A lot of people in the theater who hadn't read the book were shouting at the screen and throwing popcorn. When I started making snarky remarks to my friends about the overall strangeness of it, and the anti-Twilight people started laughing at how stupid they thought it was, the fangirls literally started crying and screaming, "I hate you! I HATE YOU!" ... It was both amusing and a tad bit scary. You could tell it was a low-budget movie, the effects weren't that great, and everything was really rushed. Plus, the screaming and swooning fangirls didn't make it any better. It was funny countering them with "Boo! Edward sucks!" and having them start crying and burst into tears and try to throw popcorn at you, only to discover that you're sitting in the top row. 😛 I thought that the lines put in from the book were very much.... I don't know if "forced" is the right word, but they didn't fit in. And the sparkling? Not such a great way to introduce it. Him running her to the cliff and then saying, "Let me show you what you've fallen in love with," all angry and angsty and then proceeding to... SPARKLE?! What? I did like that Bella was a tad bit more feminist then she was in the books. That was definitely a plus. I thought that the best acting came from Billy and Jessica. I found it a bit amusing how in the book, she has a rickety old computer with bad internet access and then she has a brand new Macbook that's look-alike to mine in the movie. Also, the cameo by Stephenie? Not so amusing. The script was bleh. And what the heck was up with her lullaby being a orchestra? It was also one of the biggest waste of $11 in my entire life and my money.

Overall, not good. I think that this is largely in part to the fact that they picked the incorrect director. She made it a bit dizzying with all of the rotating close-ups. I think that they should definitely pick a different director, READ what the irritated critics and furious and dissatisfied fans are saying, and hopefully improve. But I think that most diehard fangirls found it to be the perfect experience.

CrazyFlakes, which possible BTVS reference did you catch?

Oh, Ellyce, you know I'm a twilight fan, but honestly, this is positively hysterical. I love this! I just....love it! good luck dealing iwth the fangirls 😉

 

[EveryNiteISaveU]

i thought the movie absolutely sucked.
i was very very very disappointed

 

[Kean]

I don't really have much to offer by way of opinion. I read fifty pages of the book, was offened by the utter crapness of it and have vowed to never finish it. What I have is a fangirl gone nuts story. Did anyone see the new South Park episode this week? With the spoof of Twilight? Anywho they send up Twilight, but in particular, Hot Topic. So I was at the mall on Friday with my friend doing some Christmas shopping when I see a Hot Topic, we don't have them in Ireland and I had just seen South Park so clearly I had to go in and have a look! lol...Right at the front of the store is a display for the Twilight crap that is being sold...chains, posters, vamp teeth...blah blah blah. Standing at this display is a girl of about fourteen...talking to the display. She's on her own, so she is definitely not talking to anyone else, it's just her and cardboard Edward. She has assumed the hunched, Golllum like pose and is rambling nonsensically to the display and exuding a type of geeker joy I didn't know existed. I didn't know whether to laugh or be afraid. I was in the store for 5 minutes...her and Edward were still chatting as I left.

What is the point of this? Basically, Twilight is weeeird!

 

[Blair Waldorf-Bass]

I don't really have much to offer by way of opinion. I read fifty pages of the book, was offened by the utter crapness of it and have vowed to never finish it. What I have is a fangirl gone nuts story. Did anyone see the new South Park episode this week? With the spoof of Twilight? Anywho they send up Twilight, but in particular, Hot Topic. So I was at the mall on Friday with my friend doing some Christmas shopping when I see a Hot Topic, we don't have them in Ireland and I had just seen South Park so clearly I had to go in and have a look! lol...Right at the front of the store is a display for the Twilight crap that is being sold...chains, posters, vamp teeth...blah blah blah. Standing at this display is a girl of about fourteen...talking to the display. She's on her own, so she is definitely not talking to anyone else, it's just her and cardboard Edward. She has assumed the hunched, Golllum like pose and is rambling nonsensically to the display and exuding a type of geeker joy I didn't know existed. I didn't know whether to laugh or be afraid. I was in the store for 5 minutes...her and Edward were still chatting as I left.

What is the point of this? Basically, Twilight is weeeird!

I agree with you, sweetie! The story is horrendous, the plot is almost nonexistent, and a trashy novel with disgusting morals and themes that are being sent to obsessive and young fangirls.

Holy crap! Are you serious? ROTFLOLLLLL. Wow, the fandom seriously is screwed up. I am worried for the sanity of our next generation. *shakes head* That being said.. *resumes laughter* *dies from laughter*

 

[zombie.apparatus]

I read the series before it became a "trend" where i live, I guess that's what made it annoying for me everyone bragging about it. I did enjoy the series definitely not as much as Harry Potter, I'm more excited for the last three HP movies than the Twilight films, however I will definitely see the movie 🙂

 

[xaphania]

I'm in the UK, so have yet to see the film.

I'm wondering now how much success the film will have over here when it's released next month after hearing in several different places how, ahem, not good it is!

 

[Karol]

I want the moviiiee!!!! >.<

Here everything is so slow.... >.>

I´m totally in love with Edward, totally addicted to the books >.<

*addicted*

who will do Twilight banner for me? u.u


Two days for reading Twilight and New Moon *_* But now, as usual, I don´t have Eclipse and Braking Down in portugues sooo *rush to eBay*

 

[white avenger]

I haven't seen the movie or read the book, but I did see the trailer last night, and found it to be totally underwhelming. I may watch it when it comes out on disc, but probably not even then.

 

[Primal Slayer]

I read majority of the first book and saw the movie. Both were ok, book better ofcourse. I had to try to stop myself from thinking about Buffy/Angel while watching the movie since both went through similar situations. But Bella and Edward seemed way to awkward in the movie and thus I felt awkward watching it. I think they are going to have a harder time translating the other books to film due to certain events. And from synopsis that I have read about each one and read things here and there, Bella isnt exactly the greatest person to look up. She is very disney in the sense that she has found her prince charming so quickly and now she wants nothing but to be with him 24/7 and vice versa for Edward. They fall for each other I feel way to quickly.

And from what I heard about Bella and Edward in the later books, I am not impressed with either of them, I am in agreement with those who think that Bella is far from a strong female charecter.

Here is a link to a spoof of the film which pretty much sums it up:
Take180.com / The Juice Box / #14 Dimlight

 

[SpikedBuffy]

It's nice to hear that some people are trying to ruin the movie for those people who are die-hard fans. It just really warms my heart when I hear people talk and post about how you made people cry because they love something that wasn't quite perfect.
(And in case you can't tell, this is sarcasm. I am furious at those who ruined it for others).

I've had lots of discussion about this the past couple days with various people. People who have not read the book, people who have read the book, people who are complete idiots and people who usually know what they are talking about. You can normally tell who the idiots and the ones who didn't read the book are.

Of course, no movie will ever be better or even closely match a beloved book. Never ever. Even Harry Potter hasn't had movies that surpassed the novels. A few of those movies have not been very interesting. They just had a large budget to add a crapload of special effects to draw people in. With Twilight, you have to remember a few things. It's made for young adults, which is why it's all about falling in love for absolutely no reason. It had a supremely low budget, so of course special effects and such are not going to be top-notch. It's a 500 page novel condensed into 2 hours.

I am ridiculously tired of hearing people compare it to Buffy and Angel. It irritates me. People believe that there has never been a romantic/doomed relationship except for Buffy and Angel. Apparently they never heard of Romeo and Juliet. Or Adam and Eve. Because no relationship has ever existed except Buffy and Angel. It's just crazy. It's a story based on irrational teenage infatuation and love. You could personally take the story out of your 6th grade diary. Everybody goes through it. It's not something new.
I'm not saying it's perfect. It's not. But I did love it, because it was an adaptation of a book I love. I thought they tried hard, and I can honestly say there were only two things that I did not like in the movie. You have to admit that there is something there when a 'crap book' (as you all call it) has enough fan base to have midnight releases and a weekend total accumulation of $69 million (which is double of what it cost to make.)

 

[Primal Slayer]

I am ridiculously tired of hearing people compare it to Buffy and Angel. It irritates me. People believe that there has never been a romantic/doomed relationship except for Buffy and Angel.

And did you ever stop to think that people think of Buffy and Angel because
A. they are fairly current in the last ten years
B. because they are buffy fans

I have not seen anybody saying they are ripping off Buffy and Angel so its really not that big of a problem to think of those two when it comes to a 100+ year old vampire falling for a 16/17 year old girl and the odds being set against them.

 

[SpikedBuffy]

A. current does not mean they are the only relationship that matters.
B. I am a buffy fan. I am a twilight fan. Because my mind can comprehend the fact that vampires aren't real and anybody can write them how they please. But there are many people out there who feel you cannot like both Buffy and Twilight.

And if you haven't seen or heard any Buffy/Angel comparisons, let alone just a "Only the vamps in Buffy could be considered real", you're kinda out of the loop. That's all you see! 🙂

 

[Primal Slayer]

A. current does not mean they are the only relationship that matters.
B. I am a buffy fan. I am a twilight fan. Because my mind can comprehend the fact that vampires aren't real and anybody can write them how they please. But there are many people out there who feel you cannot like both Buffy and Twilight.

And if you haven't seen or heard any Buffy/Angel comparisons, let alone just a "Only the vamps in Buffy could be considered real", you're kinda out of the loop. That's all you see! 🙂

I didnt say that they are the only relationship that matters. But they are certainly more current than Romeo and Juliet in the minds of fans. And what do you expect to hear from a Buffy forum? And so far I have not seen anyone who thinks that you have to be one or the other. But Buffy fans are going to think of Buffy/Angel when they look at Bella/Edward, its not a bad thing since there are plenty of things that connect the two.

 

[hannahfngrl26]

Wow looks like I missed some stuff over the weekend. So anywho, I FINALLY got to see the movie so if you have not there are going to be spoilers here so please DO NOT read on if you are waiting to see it. Okay, so where to begin. It is so funny to me because I am 26 and could not help but get a little breathless the first time we see Edward. He is exactly as I imagined him. I was apprehensive at first in regards to some of the casting choices and at the end of the day I thought everyone did a great job. I was even okay with some of the story line changes because they really did help to make the movie flow. I remember reading the first book and feeling like everything was very slow moving until the baseball game and then all of a sudden things moved 100 mph. I think the movie did a good job with the ebb and flow of action. I love how they showed the different powers that the vamps had. It was awesome. My man was brave enough to go with and he was totally into the vamp action. He would turn towards me and be like "Wouldnt it be cool if I could do that".....so cute. So yeah, he is hooked now and reading the second book. He is super excited about Jacob being a werewolf. 🙂 Oh dudes, so predictable. Anywho, I loved the humor. It felt so right and that really made me appreciate the supporting actors. Charlie and Mike especially. I loved how the movie did stay true to the book for the most part. Bravo. So, all in all, I loved it. I am going to go see it again but I cannot wait for New Moon. Can it be next year already?!

 

[Crazy Flakes]

I've just decided I'm going to see it again this Saturday. I'm not exactly desperate to see it again, but a few friends of mine that I haven't seen in a while wanted to go and I'm excited to fangirl over Jasper during the baseball scene.

Also, I just found this and felt compelled to post it:

 

[ILLYRIAN]

I'd heard about the books and the film here, but I'd read or seen it, heck I'd never heard of it.
I realise that a writer will give the vampires the good and bad points they want. I'd like to see them as nasty 'little' sods, I'd go for killing them with a wooden stake to the heart, cutting their heads off, the religious things like a cross and holy water. I'd even accept Bram Stokers Nosferatu [a name he used for a film 'cos he couldn't get copyright permission to use the name Dracula].
So given that I'm a bit of a traditionalist [if that's the right word] to see a preview of twilight where a vampire has sunlight on them with no effect to them. That sort of thing will deter me from going to see the film.
Oh, and if you want to see it, don't let my views put you off.



(7) The old ones of past to here did wander,

 

[Primal Slayer]

I've just decided I'm going to see it again this Saturday. I'm not exactly desperate to see it again, but a few friends of mine that I haven't seen in a while wanted to go and I'm excited to fangirl over Jasper during the baseball scene.

Also, I just found this and felt compelled to post it:

I smell a fellow ONTDer 🙂

And I think I will start reading the second book sometime next week, hopefully I can finish it before the 2nd film comes out.