Monday, November 24, 2008

My Twilight movie review...

Well...long live the novel! Although I fairly enjoyed the movie (I'm definitely easily amused when it comes to movies so it's not hard to entertain me, but), I am sadly disappointed. Of course the book is always better than the movie and I understand they didn't have time to develop the relationships like the book, I just felt like it was lacking. Minus some corny facial expressions and acting, they did a pretty good job. And considering the budget they had to work with...
I highly recommend seeing it a second time because I enjoyed it much more and really tried to separate the book from the movie.
Some of my favorite scenes..?
1- I thought the baseball scene was awesome! It looked like they had a blast and it didn't seem like they were trying so hard at their characters.
2- the part where she leads him into the forest and asks him how old he is...hubba, hubba!
3- in Port Angeles where Edward skids around the corner and rescues Bella
4- the day he drives her to school for the first time and everyone stares...his personality was so cute!
5- and the last kiss at the prom...I love the slow motion where she drops her head back hoping he'll 'change' her and he kisses her jugular! Mmmmm...
I also really enjoy the soundtrack...I love movie music!
The more I think about it the more, I guess, amazed I am that they dare take on such a highly successful novel series. They have A LOT to live up to with such a huge fan base!
I like to check out www.twilightersanonymous.com and I found this article that summed up exactly how I feel about it. It was nice to have someone put it into words more eloquently than I could...

"TWILIGHT MOVIE REVIEW - QUEEN B (site owner)

The Good, the Bad and the Steamy

It was 6 p.m. on Thursday night when we first got reports that fans were already lined up to watch the premiere in Arizona. I was shocked and wondered if the same could be happening here. Sure enough, we drove by our local theater and fans were indeed camping out. I was stumped, how can this be? Didn’t they already buy their tickets? Is there someone from the cast showing up that I didn’t know about? It seems I simply underestimated the devotion of the fans once again. If they are willing to show up 7 am on a Sunday to see the cast at the LA premier at 5:30 pm on Monday, why wouldn’t they wait a measly 6 hours to get prime seating to watch the movie they have all been anxiously awaiting? And so what if it’s cold, in the wee hours of the morning on a school night?

It seemed to be all worth though it for the young girls who were giddy and swooning as we left the movie theater. I almost wished to be that age again and just revel in how much easier it is to be pleased back then. But I’m 31 and if I were a teacher, I would have to give the movie a B+.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the movie. I squeed, laughed, and sighed happily during a lot of it. I always enjoy seeing a book I love come to life on screen. There’s just something about seeing a book visually. I’ve learned a long time ago to not expect too much with books made into movies. I will be thoroughly surprised if I ever see an adapted movie turn out as good as the book. But back to the movie… I liked the modern adaptation of dialogue in the the movie and I also thought the humans were well portrayed, particularly Charlie & Jessica. I have never seen Taylor act before this movie, so I was nervous since I had seen many people say he can’t act. But I thought he did well and that last scene where he exchanged glances with Edward makes me eager to see more in future movies. I thought a lot of scenes were well executed, like when Bella was seeing bits & pieces of what was happening while she was being poisoned by the venom, when Bella & Edward first showed up to school together, and I also loved how they did the scene where Mike is talking to Bella and all she sees is him blurred and Edward clearly behind him. If only more scenes could have been as cleverly portrayed.

Considering the small budget & early bad reviews I was already not expecting much going into the movie. But I was still caught off guard by the tone as the movie began. Raise your hand if you loved the latest trailer for this movie! Why was the movie not as well compiled or the music better implemented into the editing as the trailer? Important scenes seemed comical and the background music throughout most of the movie was so ill fitting and did not capture the mystery, the intensity, and the angst of Bella & Edward’s developing relationship. The music sounded terribly dated and affected my mood in several key scenes. I hoped to be more emotionally moved, but just didn’t get there, especially with the meadow scene, which I thought lacked a lot. I also heartily agree with those who already said that there was some over acting, some bad acting (I was particularly disappointed with Kellan), certain scenes that could have been done better (biology!) and that some book lines did not translate well at all on screen. But what bothered me the most besides that the background music was the under use and lack of dialogue of the other Cullens!

I suppose they wanted to put a lot of focus on Bella and Edward, literally, since they had so many close up scenes. Fortunately, Rob and Kristen had great chemistry, and even though certain things were overdone, they are both just so watchable. Kristen’s line deliveries and mannerisms were very Bella and Rob’s glances and mouth twitches, coupled with some husky delivered phrases did not disappoint. And that kissing scene…SHIVERS! Yah, I am so not one to quote Paris Hilton of all people, but “that was HOT!”

I look forward to seeing this movie again. I think I’ll definitely enjoy it more with less people around who may laugh at inappropriate scenes. I’m already replaying certain scenes in my head. I think a lot of us today will be still wrapped up in the movie, whether we’re reading or writing reviews, or simply daydreaming ourselves in certain scenes with Rob. And since it was a school/work night last night expect to see a rise in the female population showing up late, calling in sick, or deeply distracted with a smile on their face."

I love where she quotes Paris! Ha!

I have serious high hopes for New Moon. Hopefully this experience will give them time to develop and strengthen their characters better and they'll take more opportunity building relationships more similar to the book.

My good friend, Karen and I...

And here are all of us giggly girls waiting for the movie to start...it's so dark you can't see us all. There were about 14 of us. From teeny-boppers to us Twilight moms! It was so fun!

AND, I have to say that the movie theater owner (this is Baker, remember) remembered me...I had come in twice (previously) and asked if I could have their movie poster after they were finished with it and he had it rolled up and ready for me to take after the movie...yes, I jumped up and down and giggled like a little girl at him!

Overall, I'm easily amused at the movie and look forward to the others...

I am, however, interested to know what others thought! Especially my Aunt Julia...

4 comments:

Julia said...

You are just TOOO, TOOO CUTE!!!! You made my day by mentioning me in your blog. :) Can you believe that I haven't even seen TWILIGHT yet???? I'm going on Wednesday and I can hardly wait. I was in Costco on Saturday morning looking in the book section and this guy walks up with his wife and 2 daughters. He says, "I'm going to Twilight tonight, anyone want to go with me?" I looked up and his wife and daughters were basically ignoring him and then I heard myself say, "YES!" His wife started laughing and said that he'd been walking around the store saying that. They had already been to see it. She told me it didn't really hold a candle to the book, but I find that true with most books. How could it? Stephenie made all of the vampires so perfect ... how could they ever find someone perfect enough to play any of those parts? Anyway... long comment short... I'm looking forward to seeing it. I let you know my thoughts.
Sure do love you, my Jilly :o)

Tess said...

Why don't we all live closer together so we can all see it together???? PS I told my mom to read it to begin with, can you believe she's seeing it without me???

Jill said...

THE NERVE! I would go with you in an instant if we lived closer! Yes, you have to let me know what you think! Even though it didn't leave me 'dazzled' like the books, my heart still skips a beat when I think about it!

Julia said...

OK... :) :) :)
I must admit that I liked it! I agree with you 100% ... books are ALWAYS better, but I think I read it long enough ago that I'd forgotten some things so it wasn't tempting for me to pick it apart. It was waaay fun to go see it...and would have been FABULOUS to see it with you, Tess, your Mom, and Tasha!!!
Love you! Happy Thanksgiving!