A Movie Review: Falling Hard for Twilight

Article by: Fred Bloss

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The country-wide event of the year occurred on Nov. 21 for “Twi-fans.” Movie theaters were packed for the premiere of “Twilight,” and movie-goers were on the edge of their seats. Also known as “Twi-hards,” they made up a majority of the gigantic opening-night turnout, and the most enthusiastic of fans supported their hero with “Team Edward” and “Team Jacob” shirts.

The film brought in a total of $70.1 million for the opening, the result of talent of the writer, cast and director, and their dedication to the fans to make it the best movie possible.

The film is based on the best-selling story of a teenage girl, Bella, who moves to a small town in Washington. Her life changes drastically when she meets a strange family, one member being gorgeous Edward Cullen. When this mysterious boy begins to let her into his world, Bella’s life turns upside down. On top of the typical drama of a teenage couple, Edward is a vampire that craves her blood. It becomes a fight for her life when James, a vindictive hunter, decides to hunt her.

Kristen Stewart (from “Jumper” and “Into the Wild”) and Robert Pattinson (who portrayed Cedric Diggory in the “Harry Potter” series) are the stars of the best selling novel turned movie, and depict a story of true love that has raised the bar for every man alive. The spark between these actors epitomized Stephenie Meyer’s ignited heart of the story, and personally took my breath away.

Amazingly comical, the full cast works together as a cohesive team. The mood keeps your attention as the film swings from funny to sad and back to heartbreakingly beautiful. It will make you smile, and at the same time pull at your heartstrings. This story will keep you on your toes, never letting your attention slip. The only downfalls are the few moments of awkward silence that have you screaming in your head “say something already!”

Trying to keep with the novel as much as possible, director Catherine Hardwicke (who also directed “Lords of Dogtown” and “Thirteen”) brought every aspect of Meyer’s story to the screen with a few additions to fill in for those who did not read the book, without such, many viewers would be completely clueless to the inner workings of Bella’s mind and Edward’s complicated history.

The casting for the complex Cullen family should have been a tough task, but it was well executed as the actors and actresses played the roles up to par. Nikki Reed (from “The O.C.” and “Thirteen”), who plays Rosalie Hale, perfectly filled the shoes of the most beautiful woman on earth and the cranky Cullen. The leader of this vampire clan is Carlisle Cullen, played by Peter Facinelli. The compassionate and fatherly aura is tangible to the audience.

Another actor worth mentioning is Billy Burke, who plays Bella’s father, who was surprisingly more of an active character in the movie than in writing.

A special moment for the writer herself, Stephenie Meyer actually had the chance to have a cameo in her movie. Though it is a small moment, try to catch a sight of this talented writer.

Possibly the most desirable man of this decade, Robert Pattinson’s rendering of Edward was not only stunningly accurate, but also truly dazzling to the audience. Between the brooding silence and golden eyes it was hard to remember that it was only a movie. This eternal seventeen-year-old is a new kind of dream guy, the kind that reads minds, plays an awesome game of baseball and makes the old fashion romantic days look good again.

Not only a love story comparable to “Titanic,” this movie has enough action to keep it from becoming a total “chick flick.” Though it may have been a type of action void of car races and gun fights, it brought the world of vampires to a new level. No longer just blood sucking villains, these vamps are the heroes.

For those who have yet to see this film, don’t take judgment with you – No movie is as good as the book. But this is the best try possible, and the result is, in my opinion, an excellent representation of this epic story. Be prepared, actually listen to the theater and turn off cell phones, get your seat as early as possible and enjoy the escape into Forks.

“Twilight” will not only be a best selling novel, but a top selling movie once it is released on DVD. The second installation, “New Moon,” for which both Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson have already agreed to continue with, is already in the pre-production phase, and those “Twi-fans” out there are waiting anxiously to continue this story.