Twilight (C+ or 2.5/4 stars)
A somber, teen girl risks everything when she falls in love with a brooding vampire in 'Twilight', directed by Catherine Hardwicke. The story begins with Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) moving from sunny Phoenix to gloomy Forks, Washington to live with her estranged father. As she begins her junior yr. in high school, she becomes transfixed by the mysterious Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) who holds a dark secret which is only known by his similarly mysterious family. This film has some issues; most of all, the simple plot. But the whole is better than its iffy parts. It starts well, it is handsomely shot, 'some' of the special effects are well done, and the teen romance should ring true for most young audiences.
Edward is strongly attracted to Bella & falls in love with her. But because he's a vampire, he knows that the further their relationship grows, the more precarious their human/non-human connection may become. Her involvement with him puts both him & his entire family in danger. And she should be worried that he could potentially kill her at any moment (if he doesn't control himself). Ultimately, Edward thinks it's more dangerous for Bella than it is for him; but she doesn't care, & loves him to death (literally & figuratively). You see, Bella is a fairly morose girl to begin with; she'd prefer to die/become a vampire with Edward, anyway.
Most of the film is set-up (character, plot), but things finally get rolling after Edward, his Marilyn Manson-looking family, & Bella decide to play some vampire-style baseball during a thunder & lightning storm. An evil, rebel group of vampires, led by James (Cam Gigandet, resembling a young Russ Tamblyn) march into their game & detect a human among them (Bella). Hungry, desperate to eat/bite her, Edward & his family do enough to keep them away. But their retribution would come back swiftly, and harder than ever. Can Edward save his Bella one more time (the 1st time displayed Ed's magnificent display of speed & power when he prevents a sliding truck from crushing her). I wish the film had more memorable sequences, such as this.
You know, 'Twilight' is certainly not as bad as I was expecting. But it's only okay. The film gets us affiliated with the major characters exceptionally well. The outline of the plot/characterizations is clear from the get-go. But as mentioned, the plot is just so very basic. The pace of the movie is uneven. I've seen far superior special effects (such as sprinting up mountains/trees, etc.). There are a few too many secondary characters clogging up the screen. And it goes on a good 10-15 min. too long. Where the movie gets it right is the chemistry btwn. the 2 lead characters. Without said chemistry, the movie would have failed on a colossal level. Their relationship builds slowly, gradually, & then comes to a boil (though, sexless) near the end.
I normally like Kristen Stewart. But while I think she nailed Bella's angsty, inward character, she has some acting ticks which are very, very annoying. For instance, after almost every sentence she completes, listen ... she gives a very quick, hushed scoff/nervous laugh. It embodies the character, but I've noticed that she's done that before, as well. Robert Pattinson was cast, no doubt, because teen females would swoon. He's does a good job (if uneven, sometimes intense, sometimes unsure); the dialogue that did little to assist him or Stewart. Something else that irked me: I always thought that vampires couldn't be out in the sun or else they'd burn; not so in this movie. I don't like it when authors/directors change folklore at their own whim. All that said, I was entertained by bits & pieces of 'Twilight'. And I understand the craze surrounding it.
Edward is strongly attracted to Bella & falls in love with her. But because he's a vampire, he knows that the further their relationship grows, the more precarious their human/non-human connection may become. Her involvement with him puts both him & his entire family in danger. And she should be worried that he could potentially kill her at any moment (if he doesn't control himself). Ultimately, Edward thinks it's more dangerous for Bella than it is for him; but she doesn't care, & loves him to death (literally & figuratively). You see, Bella is a fairly morose girl to begin with; she'd prefer to die/become a vampire with Edward, anyway.
Most of the film is set-up (character, plot), but things finally get rolling after Edward, his Marilyn Manson-looking family, & Bella decide to play some vampire-style baseball during a thunder & lightning storm. An evil, rebel group of vampires, led by James (Cam Gigandet, resembling a young Russ Tamblyn) march into their game & detect a human among them (Bella). Hungry, desperate to eat/bite her, Edward & his family do enough to keep them away. But their retribution would come back swiftly, and harder than ever. Can Edward save his Bella one more time (the 1st time displayed Ed's magnificent display of speed & power when he prevents a sliding truck from crushing her). I wish the film had more memorable sequences, such as this.
You know, 'Twilight' is certainly not as bad as I was expecting. But it's only okay. The film gets us affiliated with the major characters exceptionally well. The outline of the plot/characterizations is clear from the get-go. But as mentioned, the plot is just so very basic. The pace of the movie is uneven. I've seen far superior special effects (such as sprinting up mountains/trees, etc.). There are a few too many secondary characters clogging up the screen. And it goes on a good 10-15 min. too long. Where the movie gets it right is the chemistry btwn. the 2 lead characters. Without said chemistry, the movie would have failed on a colossal level. Their relationship builds slowly, gradually, & then comes to a boil (though, sexless) near the end.
I normally like Kristen Stewart. But while I think she nailed Bella's angsty, inward character, she has some acting ticks which are very, very annoying. For instance, after almost every sentence she completes, listen ... she gives a very quick, hushed scoff/nervous laugh. It embodies the character, but I've noticed that she's done that before, as well. Robert Pattinson was cast, no doubt, because teen females would swoon. He's does a good job (if uneven, sometimes intense, sometimes unsure); the dialogue that did little to assist him or Stewart. Something else that irked me: I always thought that vampires couldn't be out in the sun or else they'd burn; not so in this movie. I don't like it when authors/directors change folklore at their own whim. All that said, I was entertained by bits & pieces of 'Twilight'. And I understand the craze surrounding it.