Spring Break
'Twilight' bites, doesn't suck
3 out of 5 stars
Natalie Abreu
Issue date: 12/2/08 Section: Focus
The vampire has been romanticized before in films and television shows, but none can compare to what the film "Twilight" has in store. Based on the wildly popular novels by Stephenie Meyer, "Twilight" tells the tale of a teenage girl named Bella (Kristen Stewart), who moves from her warm Arizona home to the damp, dark and cold dwellings of Washington state where she falls in love with a strange local boy named Edward (Robert Pattinson), whom she discovers has a strange secret: he is a vampire.
The vampires on "Twilight" is not of the usual sort. Sure there are the usual powers such as lightning fast speed, superman-type strength and immortality, but they also have no need for coffins, no fear of garlic and no need to shield themselves from the sunlight, in which they give off an ethereal, diamond shine on their skins.
"It's beautiful," says Bella.
Everything about these vegetarian vampires who only drink animal's blood, have flawless pale skin and model good looks seems perfect. This of course stems from the novel, but the way these vampires' abilities plays on the screen seems a bit far-fetched and not well executed. The special effects seem to be out of a TV movie than a studio film. The vampire family baseball scene, amongst storm clouds, thunder and lightning, seems to be a bit inane for its own good.
However, like the sunlit vampires, the film also shines in its simplicity. After all, it is just a story of two young people in love and the obstacles they must face together. Director Catherine Hardwicke, director of such teen oriented films as "Thirteen" and "Lords of Dogtown," knows how to make these actors seem like real teens. It is interesting to see such a popular novel be transformed into such a real, small scale "indie" type film.
Also interesting is the chemistry between Bella and Edward. At first he is distant, even angry upon meeting her. His mood swings are epic, yet he breaks out of his brooding shell and begins to feel protective of Bella; he even grows to love her. Though not overtly sexual, there is intense chemistry between Stewart and Pattinson that will makes fans swoon with delight to see their romantic love story come to life.
However, the minor players here are not so dynamic. Bella's father and mother seem to be one dimensional characters, and Edward's strange family has moments in which characters can be developed but do not follow through. They have potential to be interesting characters if just more screen time and dialogue was distributed to them. Even hunt seeking villain James seems to be one dimensional, with his motives unclear. The story is clearly focused on the two lovers, seeming to bypass everything else in quality.
While melodramatic at times with the romanticism of the vampires and budding love between Bella and Edward, "Twilight" is an enjoyable film in that fans of the novels will fawn over. Newcomers will be intrigued by the new type of vampire - shiny skin and all.
The vampires on "Twilight" is not of the usual sort. Sure there are the usual powers such as lightning fast speed, superman-type strength and immortality, but they also have no need for coffins, no fear of garlic and no need to shield themselves from the sunlight, in which they give off an ethereal, diamond shine on their skins.
"It's beautiful," says Bella.
Everything about these vegetarian vampires who only drink animal's blood, have flawless pale skin and model good looks seems perfect. This of course stems from the novel, but the way these vampires' abilities plays on the screen seems a bit far-fetched and not well executed. The special effects seem to be out of a TV movie than a studio film. The vampire family baseball scene, amongst storm clouds, thunder and lightning, seems to be a bit inane for its own good.
However, like the sunlit vampires, the film also shines in its simplicity. After all, it is just a story of two young people in love and the obstacles they must face together. Director Catherine Hardwicke, director of such teen oriented films as "Thirteen" and "Lords of Dogtown," knows how to make these actors seem like real teens. It is interesting to see such a popular novel be transformed into such a real, small scale "indie" type film.
Also interesting is the chemistry between Bella and Edward. At first he is distant, even angry upon meeting her. His mood swings are epic, yet he breaks out of his brooding shell and begins to feel protective of Bella; he even grows to love her. Though not overtly sexual, there is intense chemistry between Stewart and Pattinson that will makes fans swoon with delight to see their romantic love story come to life.
However, the minor players here are not so dynamic. Bella's father and mother seem to be one dimensional characters, and Edward's strange family has moments in which characters can be developed but do not follow through. They have potential to be interesting characters if just more screen time and dialogue was distributed to them. Even hunt seeking villain James seems to be one dimensional, with his motives unclear. The story is clearly focused on the two lovers, seeming to bypass everything else in quality.
While melodramatic at times with the romanticism of the vampires and budding love between Bella and Edward, "Twilight" is an enjoyable film in that fans of the novels will fawn over. Newcomers will be intrigued by the new type of vampire - shiny skin and all.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Penangite
posted 12/02/08 @ 12:56 PM EST
Oh I loved "Twilight" movie
It is just so cool to be true
Wondering whether Robert Pattinson will fall in love on Kristen Stewart
in real life?
Oh my god. (Continued…)
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