*****
That about describes anyone who would voluntarily watch Twilight a second time. No, I kid. Perhaps I'm being too harsh. But let's take a step back and analyze the movie objectively. As a person who has not read the book, I'll here give my (objective) opinion on the movie-adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's novel, Twilight.
Part One: Plot
The plot is taken of course from the titular novel. All in all it's a basic monster meets not monster love story vaguely reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast. Though Edward Cullen's self loathing far outweighs anything we were exposed to in the Disney classic. But that's another section. I think as far as writing goes the plot is a sound one.
The scriptwriter can keep things rolling at a relatively smooth pace, even able to throw a splash of color into an otherwise generic love-story at certain spots. Certain parts of dialogue could have done with some minor tweaks though. Obviously having Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart quote dialogue from the book verbatim is a nod to Twilight's diehard fans. But as part of a movie for one of the "uninitiated" the dialogue and the almost perpetual staring at each other begins to run off as corny.
All in all the beginning middle and end are wholly satisfactory. But that is all. The body of the story tends to drag several scenes a little longer than necessary, which begins to give on the impression that the director had no better ideas in his head to throw into filming. But then, perhaps the $37 million budget had something to do with that decision. Specially in an industry where the average budget for a film is $100 - $150 million.
All in all, an average plot that delivers almost all it promises. Though not, it must be stated, all that was promised by the hype surrounding the release of the movie.
Part Two: Characterization
In the beginning, Kristen Stewart plays her part of the "new girl in town" to perfection. Her expressions, matched by her almost deadpan narration fit the tone of the movie perfectly. Though during the first encounter with Edward Cullen, the acting takes a sudden dip.
Both Stewart and Pattinson seem to have become suddenly infected with and overacting bug for the duration of their first scene together. The situation comes off as so contrived that at some points it becomes a stretch for the viewer to know exactly what is going on. And while there is the hope that Edward's strong reaction to his soon-to-be love interest will be explained, this explanation never materializes.
That having been said, after the initial wooden-ness which one can attribute to perhaps, nerves, or some unsettled misgivings about the scene. The characters are fleshed out nicely and given distinct personalities of their own. Though the depth of the characters surrounding the two protagonists is an area left wholly unfilled by their portrayal in the film, Stewart and Pattinson do a good job of pulling most of the scenes off without a return to their awkwardness.
The only qualm later becomes their near-perpetual staring at each other, and the rather contrived romance that begins to unfold.
Robert Pattinson does an admirable job of injecting an essentially inhuman character with a humanity that belies his origins. He portrays the self-loathing of his character well enough to convince the viewer, though at certain points it becomes altogether too much to bear leaving you wanting to slap him across the face. The only qualm this writer has is with the mannerisms tacked onto the purportedly "perfect" Edward Cullen. After much hype about the character, the viewer expects a man of some considerable charm and suave-ness to finally appear on the screen. Instead we are met with a hulking figure (that we must force ourselves to believe is 17 years old) who looks far more awkward than any of the other characters with whom he shares the screen.
Robert Pattinson makes Edward Cullen seem like a perpetually tense character, walking with his shoulders rigid, his arms not swinging at his sides, defying all laws of physics, momentum, and human anatomy. It seems at times that this boy who is viewed by some as the "epitome of manliness" is not a super charmer, but merely another prop in the backdrop of the movie. It must be said however, that Pattinson does an admirable job of showing a less tense side of Edward... in about four scenes.
Part Three: Special Effects
With a budget of $37 million it's hard to expect any feats of greatness from the special effects presented in this movie. The effects that do crop up are, I suppose, satisfactory in themselves.
The basic blur effects used to show the fast movement of the vampires serves as a sort of figurative representation rather than to actually illustrate the speed of their movements. At times, this effect is so misplaced that it leaves you wondering why it was used at all I.E. when Edward is walking around his car to open the door for Bella.
The "diamond-shine" of the vampires' skin is, it must be said one of the most disappointing effects in the film. It looks more like Pattinson was daubed with silver glitter than the light reflecting off his skin. Though thankfully, this effect is only used twice.
The fight scenes left much to be desired, with much of the viewer's attention drawn from the actual fighting, to Bella Swan lying on the floor in throes of agony. Thus the effects used here were probably left over "wire-fu" apparatus from the Matrix. The scene is presented as choppy and disjointed, often ceasing to make any coherent sense and failing to satisfy the thirst for blood that has been fostered in the viewer by almost an hour and a half of watching two "teenagers" make eyes at each other.
Part Four: Overview
All-in-all Twilight is a satisfactorily average movie. While definitely not the worst movie of the year (that award goes to Max Payne, just...ugh.) it is definitively nowhere near the running for best, either. It will most probably be filed in the "teen romance" section in DVD stores, right next to the High School Musical series, and other such shows like, A Cinderella Story.
While failing to deliver on much of the hype that surrounded it, Twilight serves as a perfectly respectable movie-adaptation of a novel. Though to those with no exposure to the novels much of it will inevitably prove inane, bordering on ludicrous.
In conclusion, Twilight is not a movie that you would want to forget. But neither is it a movie you would make any particular effort to remember.
Rating: 2.5/5
That's all folks,
Jared
Part One: Plot
The plot is taken of course from the titular novel. All in all it's a basic monster meets not monster love story vaguely reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast. Though Edward Cullen's self loathing far outweighs anything we were exposed to in the Disney classic. But that's another section. I think as far as writing goes the plot is a sound one.
The scriptwriter can keep things rolling at a relatively smooth pace, even able to throw a splash of color into an otherwise generic love-story at certain spots. Certain parts of dialogue could have done with some minor tweaks though. Obviously having Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart quote dialogue from the book verbatim is a nod to Twilight's diehard fans. But as part of a movie for one of the "uninitiated" the dialogue and the almost perpetual staring at each other begins to run off as corny.
All in all the beginning middle and end are wholly satisfactory. But that is all. The body of the story tends to drag several scenes a little longer than necessary, which begins to give on the impression that the director had no better ideas in his head to throw into filming. But then, perhaps the $37 million budget had something to do with that decision. Specially in an industry where the average budget for a film is $100 - $150 million.
All in all, an average plot that delivers almost all it promises. Though not, it must be stated, all that was promised by the hype surrounding the release of the movie.
Part Two: Characterization
In the beginning, Kristen Stewart plays her part of the "new girl in town" to perfection. Her expressions, matched by her almost deadpan narration fit the tone of the movie perfectly. Though during the first encounter with Edward Cullen, the acting takes a sudden dip.
Both Stewart and Pattinson seem to have become suddenly infected with and overacting bug for the duration of their first scene together. The situation comes off as so contrived that at some points it becomes a stretch for the viewer to know exactly what is going on. And while there is the hope that Edward's strong reaction to his soon-to-be love interest will be explained, this explanation never materializes.
That having been said, after the initial wooden-ness which one can attribute to perhaps, nerves, or some unsettled misgivings about the scene. The characters are fleshed out nicely and given distinct personalities of their own. Though the depth of the characters surrounding the two protagonists is an area left wholly unfilled by their portrayal in the film, Stewart and Pattinson do a good job of pulling most of the scenes off without a return to their awkwardness.
The only qualm later becomes their near-perpetual staring at each other, and the rather contrived romance that begins to unfold.
Robert Pattinson does an admirable job of injecting an essentially inhuman character with a humanity that belies his origins. He portrays the self-loathing of his character well enough to convince the viewer, though at certain points it becomes altogether too much to bear leaving you wanting to slap him across the face. The only qualm this writer has is with the mannerisms tacked onto the purportedly "perfect" Edward Cullen. After much hype about the character, the viewer expects a man of some considerable charm and suave-ness to finally appear on the screen. Instead we are met with a hulking figure (that we must force ourselves to believe is 17 years old) who looks far more awkward than any of the other characters with whom he shares the screen.
Robert Pattinson makes Edward Cullen seem like a perpetually tense character, walking with his shoulders rigid, his arms not swinging at his sides, defying all laws of physics, momentum, and human anatomy. It seems at times that this boy who is viewed by some as the "epitome of manliness" is not a super charmer, but merely another prop in the backdrop of the movie. It must be said however, that Pattinson does an admirable job of showing a less tense side of Edward... in about four scenes.
Part Three: Special Effects
With a budget of $37 million it's hard to expect any feats of greatness from the special effects presented in this movie. The effects that do crop up are, I suppose, satisfactory in themselves.
The basic blur effects used to show the fast movement of the vampires serves as a sort of figurative representation rather than to actually illustrate the speed of their movements. At times, this effect is so misplaced that it leaves you wondering why it was used at all I.E. when Edward is walking around his car to open the door for Bella.
The "diamond-shine" of the vampires' skin is, it must be said one of the most disappointing effects in the film. It looks more like Pattinson was daubed with silver glitter than the light reflecting off his skin. Though thankfully, this effect is only used twice.
The fight scenes left much to be desired, with much of the viewer's attention drawn from the actual fighting, to Bella Swan lying on the floor in throes of agony. Thus the effects used here were probably left over "wire-fu" apparatus from the Matrix. The scene is presented as choppy and disjointed, often ceasing to make any coherent sense and failing to satisfy the thirst for blood that has been fostered in the viewer by almost an hour and a half of watching two "teenagers" make eyes at each other.
Part Four: Overview
All-in-all Twilight is a satisfactorily average movie. While definitely not the worst movie of the year (that award goes to Max Payne, just...ugh.) it is definitively nowhere near the running for best, either. It will most probably be filed in the "teen romance" section in DVD stores, right next to the High School Musical series, and other such shows like, A Cinderella Story.
While failing to deliver on much of the hype that surrounded it, Twilight serves as a perfectly respectable movie-adaptation of a novel. Though to those with no exposure to the novels much of it will inevitably prove inane, bordering on ludicrous.
In conclusion, Twilight is not a movie that you would want to forget. But neither is it a movie you would make any particular effort to remember.
Rating: 2.5/5
That's all folks,
Jared
4 comments:
Similar to you, I have yet to read the novels. I also found the beginning a bit draggy (i.e the constant staring-deep-into-each-other's-eyes) and some corny bits of dialogue. But I thought the middle and ending parts were more exciting and made me sit up in my seat in the cinema a little more. The ending was typical It's-still-not-the-end-yet-cos-there's-still-a-bad-vampire-on-the-loose. Plus bits would be hottie Robert Pattinson and...Robert Pattinson. ;P
Ugh. I expected more from it. There were some parts where I was like, "Ugh. Get it over with. Hurry up." Specially in the middle and ending. I thought it was pretty predictable all the way through. Haha.
I think he looks really spaztic in the movie to be honest. I've seen pictures of him from real life interviews and such. He looks better there. In the movie he looks like an anemic spaz.
This is the kind of movie that deserves a snide one paragraph review. That's what I think. Ahem.
You make a good point, Dan. But You do know how I like to ramble on. Besides, I'm already biased AGAINST the movie. So a long an objective review also works in my favour. :)
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