Twilight

I made it to the theater last night and saw Twilight and I have to say I’m impressed.  I’ve been hearing a lot of mixed reviews, but I really don’t have any complaints.  Whenever anyone tries to bring a novel to life on the silver screen, there’s always something that just doesn’t seem to translate right. However, Catherine Hardwicke and Melissa Rosenberg did a really good job.  They stuck to the original novel really well, so much so that when I left I couldn’t think of anything that was missing that was a vital point to the plot.  Everything that needed to be there was.  The movie had a very well paced flow going on and even though the run time is about two hours, it really didn’t seem like it.

Twilight had some really good actors.  All of the actors were engaging and I thought Kristen Stewart did a really good job as Bella Swan.  Even Robert Pattinson did a better job with Edward than I thought he would.  He was moody and temperamental at all the right times and it honestly didn’t look forced at all.  I also have to say that the Cullen Family is spot on.  Ashley Greene (Alice), Jackson Rathbone (Jasper), Nikki Reed (Rosalie), Kellan Lutz (Emmett), Peter Facinelli (Carlisle), and Elizabeth Reaser (Esme) all personified the Cullen family to perfection in my mind.  The only real complaint I have is Jackson Rathbone’s portrayal of Jasper – he seemed more like he had a nervous tick than control issues.  In my head, Jasper was always very confident in himself, even though he was new to the vegan lifestyle.  So that’s the only thing I really have to say about that.  As for Taylor Lautner, who plays Jacob Black, I haven’t made up my mind on him yet.  He really wasn’t on the screen enough to give me an idea on what he’ll do with Jacob, so we’ll have to see when New Moon is released some time in the future (and whether or not he’ll continue to play Jacob).

Overall, I really enjoyed Twilight and it’s really made me think about picking up the novels again.  And even though I just saw it last night, I’m all about going out and seeing it again.  I could so totally sit down and watch it five more times before I got tired of it, and even then I don’t know if I would.  The only thing I would have liked to see more of is the interaction between Bella and the Cullen family (besides Edward), but considering the content they had to work with, I can understand why there wasn’t as much there.  However, now I can’t wait for them to produce New Moon, Eclispe, and Breaking Dawn because you know they are going to with the success Twilight has had.

Edited to Add: I forgot to mention one thing…anyone going into this movie expecting any kind of action because it is a “vampire” flick, is going to be disappointed.  Twilight isn’t about vampires and stakes and the blood and gore that normally follows, but it’s a story about a vampire who falls in love with a mortal.  It’s a modern day Romeo and Juliet and the story that follows is very much about two star crossed lovers.  This is actually a great movie to take someone who wants a great love story, but isn’t in to the whole paranormal feature.  Yes, the vampires are there and their abilities are shown off, but never once do we see the blood that is generally assoicated with a good vampire movie.