So this is going to be the Twilight review post. I’m going to try not to get carried away. Right.
The General Review:
Twilight was good and better than I thought it would turn out. As a fan of the book series and a mid 30′s mom I went into the theatre realistic. It had the potential to be a disaster, but surprisingly it was decent. There is room for improvement. Rob Pattinson looks the part of Edward but there are a few times when his performance feels forced. Kristen Stewart on the other hand lives and breathes the role of Bella, she is spot on. The supporting cast for the most part are wonderful and Cam Gigandet’s James steals the show.
A good date movie but certainly not theatrical excellence – but did you expect that it would be?
The Detailed Review:
You should probably stop here if you don’t want to be spoiled, though I tried really hard not to let anything slip….
The Good Guys
Before the movie I had done my research. I wanted to know who this relative unknown was that was going to be playing Edward. Could he act? Did he look the part? Well the acting part I couldn’t find out much about, aside from playing Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Robert Pattinson hasn’t done much that I could find. As for looking the part, yes he looks the part, in my mind. So the question came down to can this 21 year old British actor BE an angsty, self loathing, 108 year old vampire trapped in a 17 year old body. For the most part, he can.
I didn’t know anything about Kristen Stewart but I was less worried about her – could you really mess up Bella? Okay, I’m sure someone could but really she’s just a girl. And much to my surprise Stewart knocked this one out of the park. She made Bella’s character better than she was in the book, stronger, smarter, a little snarkier and she was excellent.
The rest of the cast has dismally little screen time compared to the book. As some of the most beloved characters of the books the Cullen’s get very little screen time other than as eye candy and that’s disappointing. Those that do get a chance to talk fill their roles well especially, Kellen Lutz as Emmett and Elizabeth Reaser as Esme.
The Bad Guys
On to the bad guys. Absolutely brilliant. Out of all the casting these three by far are the best cast and end up stealing the show. Cam Gigandet is absolutely amazing as James, and Edi Gathegi as Laurent and Rachelle Lefevre as Victoria complete the trio. I can’t wait to see more of Rachelle Lefevre’s Victoria in later installments of the book series because she was absolutely chilling.
Should you see it?
Well, I can’t really answer that for you. If you read and liked the books then yes you should see it, you may be pleasantly surprised. If you haven’t read them then it’s just a fun movie that’s a little cheesy at times but what movie isn’t really? If you have a suspension of disbelief issue then this probably isn’t for you but then I would guess that sci-fi/fantasy probably wasn’t your thing to begin with.
The Wrap Up
My favorite scene – kiss scenes not withstanding, hands down without a doubt – the baseball scene which was my least favorite scene in the book.
A couple of warnings, though it’s really common sense… the cheesy lines in the book are still cheesy, they really need a different make up artist and stylist and you may leave the movie with the undeniable urge to go buy a Volvo.
So overall….I like it. I didn’t love it. It was a fun movie to see and has great entertainment value. I went into it with realistic expectations and I was pleasantly surprised.
What did you think?
Very well said. I feel about the same!
They defiantly need a different make up artist and stylist when the make New Moon. I thought the actor that played James was awesome but when I read the book, I pictured the character so different.
My daughter, 21 who has not yet read the books loved the movie. Now she can’t wait to read the books.
Jenns last blog post..Twilight – The Movie
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Yes, yes and yes! You said exactly what I was thinking. Kristen Stewart was an amazing Bella! I was also sadly dissapointed that the Cullens were not in the movie more. I also thought the actresses that played Alice and Rosalie did a wonderful job. I wasn’t thrilled with Jasper’s preformance… it, like Edwards at times, felt forced and awkward to me.
Anyways, you really summed it up well, cheesy, but overall a good movie if you liked the books.
My favorite scene by far was when Edward was playing the piano for Bella. And the baseball scene was great too!
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well, I really liked the book, and the movie- I was dissapointed. What I had pictured in my head was much better played out than the movie. I usually don’t like the movies as much as the books, and this was no exception. The movie was ok but not one that I will watch again. I felt that while the story was explained there were many parts that were left out. I’m hoping for more with the next one. I loved when Edward was playing the piano but I wish they would have explained it a little more for those that hadn’t read the book. My best friend whom went with me, never read the book and she loved the movie.
perksofbeingmes last blog post..
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For the most part, I completely agree. I thought Kristen did a great job as Bella and Rob, for the most part, did a great job as Edward. He definitely looks like what I pictured Edward to look like when I read the books. I was a little thrown by some of their casting choices and I thought Jasper looked constipated the entire movie. LOL! Out of the Cullen clan (except for Edward), I thought Emmett and Alice fit what I saw in my head the most.
I liked it, but didn’t love it. A part of me feels like the intensity of several of the scenes was missing in the movie and didn’t give you a proper view of what it was really like in the book.
The baseball scene was one of my faves in the book and I liked it ok in the movie. However, I thought their “protective stance” in the movie was way off and little too forced looking. I thought Laurent, Victoria and James were fantastic!!
I also think that the movie had a little more humor in it versus the book. Like you, I would recommend it if you have read the books, but was not blown away.
Amy
Amy Priddy
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I have to disagree about KS as Bella. I thought a lot of her delivery was completely contrary to how I interpreted her in the book. I do agree about the Cullens lacking screentime, though. So sad. Pop on over to my blog to read my review.
Jills last blog post..My TWILIGHT review!
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