Review: Twilight

Posted by dominie in Films, Reviews on November 21st, 2008

My feelings about Twilight have been on both extremes. Let me explain. I had no opinion about Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight the novel, prior to the first Twilight footage I saw and thought, ‘what’s the big deal?’ Just two weeks ago, I read Meyer’s novel and I loved it. If the footage didn’t phase me, the book was a ten. I readjusted my expectations, mediocre, a six. Compensated for hope that the film will be good, less, maybe a four… It was both my hope and fear to love the movie. Two really close friends of mine and I finally got to see the highly anticipated movie last night. An argument (see below) ensued and I feel it is a better representative review than I could fairly portray.

Based on the film (we’re not going to discuss the novel), Twilight is the story of a teenage girl, Bella Swan, who moves to Forks, Washington to live with her father and risks everything when she falls in love with a vampire. Continuing from our conversation after the film, my friend emailed me a review; my response is below.

After our needlessly extended argument, what I realized is we were both arguing the same side. Disregarding the book, Twilight the movie was enjoyable for what it is. Lets “keep it real” (as Billy Black would say); the movie is geared toward young teens. This allows the use of current day slangs and the over exaggerated articulation/motions to be acceptable, and can translate into entertaining.

The problem with the movie is the story seems to be told in vignettes that don’t stream sequentially. In essence, the screenplay lacked the character arcs that provide for motivation behind the characters’ intentions, most particularly Edward’s. One minute he hates Bella, the next he reveals himself in the sunlight and they’re in love. There’s a quick meet and greet the fam that jets into an under-developed climax, and a quick happy ending that is thrown in to complete the formula. I do not believe the performances are to be blamed. Pattinson and Stewart emit potential. Possibly more a lack of direction? Or no direction because the screenplay is a null platform?

The special effects were marginal, with the exception of the baseball scene (done very well).  In accepting the movie for what it is however, I feel this area needs no explanation. Hands down, I’ll be the first to admit Twilight was enjoyable. Would I watch it again? Yes. I’d go see all the sequels too. Heck, its only $10! Go see it for yourself.

IM Chat

Me:  got your email, i haven’t read it yet, don’t want to til after i write my review later, but basically i don’t think it was a good movie, but it was enjoyable. and you’re right, its geared towards younger people. would i watch it again? Yes. i’d go see all the sequels also.
Friend:  thats what the review said
Me:  oh, haha
Friend:  it said its what it is
Me:  well i haven’t read it yet
Friend:  its made for 13 year old girls and that who love it. the book is not for boys or adults. you know we did read a early teen novel
Me:  i hope you don’t think i didn’t have a good time yesterday though. cuz i seriously wouldn’t have changed a thing. well maybe getting home on time
Friend:  and it just says yeah theres flaws like they could have done better special effects but the scenes they chose are how they were in the book
Me:  i actually feel like the baseball scene is good. i liked that part. my biggest problem is the pacing of the film. character development, or not even that, its the development between edward and bella. that just wasn’t even there for me
Friend:  the acting isnt bad i think thats how they told them to act. cause ive seen them both in other films
Me:  i actually think they have alot of potential as actors. my problem is the screenplay. the pace was all over the place. all of a sudden, it felt really rushed the 2nd half
Friend:  you cant make the movie over 3 hrs
Me:  yeah, agree
Friend:  dom, i know you. i know you hated it
Me:  what about me? =)
Friend:  you were going off on it
Me:  oh, haha. look, i’m being very honest, i don’t think the film is good but i enjoyed it, yes i went off.
Friend:  i think the film is ok, not good but not bad. you said it was bad and it was a waste of your time
Me:  but thats what people do, they complain about what they don’t like. i didn’t mean it literally, initial thoughts can be kind of extreme, and dont necessarily represent how someone can really feel about something when it has time to settle in. i had a good time
Friend:  i know, but tiff kind of liked it. so i didnt want you to offend her, like making her feel stupid for liking it
Me:  it doesn’t bother me that you guys like it, i was even like i’ll watch harry potter. its not like i dont like robert pattinson. just a personal preference. he was cast well, he doesn’t make me love the movie
Friend:  maybe thats where people to restrain themselves. i already had the talk with kim. i just think its something odd to portray in any film. like you cant make it serious cause its just off to picture. Odd. like there hasnt been a supernatural love story. thats what the book is. 80% of readers are teenage girls
Friend:  you looked like you were dying in the theater. i told tiff during the film i dont think dominie is enjoying herself
Me:  haha, honestly i wasn’t dying. when i laughed it was genuinely entertained
Friend:  i actually think that the bad guys were very well represented. but i think thats easier to portray cause thats how u see vampires

And the conversation goes on, i don’t need to bore you anymore