We have seen Twilight twice now, and both read the series through, and so we thought we should write a few words about this film. We loved it.
P: Although there are a few mis-steps with the casting (esp. Rose and Carlisle), the main characters are great, the script is remarkably close to the book, the scenery is breathtaking and the soundtrack and score are great too. Kristen Stewart (Bella) really nails her part. Mike complains in the book (and in the film) that Edward looks like he wants to eat her up, but Mike would happily eat her too, as would I (I am trying—really hard—not to go all fan-boy-ish, but it is a losing battle).
I first saw this film before reading any of the books, and was so taken with the story (despite the fact that I am a he and twice the age of books target demographic) that I read all four books—about 3000 pages—in five days so that I could go see it again. Not surprisingly, there is a huge amount that I missed or misunderstood on the first viewing because I was not familiar with the characters or the story; so much so, that I am planning on seeing the film again soon. I don't think I have ever seen a film more than twice on first release at the cinema, which says a lot about how much I loved this film: the muted colours (Bella is treated a bit like Selene in the Underworld series), the twangy guitar (reminiscent of Neil Young's soundtrack to Dead Man), the cold and wet: be still my gothic heart!
M: How long vamps been around do you think? Bram wasn't the first although it is his version we are probably the most familiar with. So the popular imagination has been fascinated and repulsed by the blood suckers or 'cold ones' for quite some time! The Twilight books, four of them, are part of a relatively new literary genre called supernatural romance. This is a love story, gory, intense, uplifting, yes sexy! The movie version of the first book, is ace. If you are squeamish about LOVE but get off on lot of blood, then this may not appeal (the sequel might have more to offer you though). But there is so much to recommend this book adaptation.
Apart from the beautiful score there are the gorgeous hero and heroine, the stunning countryside of Forks USA and the really impressive script. It is the script which makes it for me, it is subtle and reproduces with amazing results the wonderful relationships which are crafted so carefully in the books. Just one example of the wonderful scripting involves Bella. She walks passed a circulating fan and it looks just like a bad 80's music video moment but it serves a purpose that only those who have read the book might fully grasp. While this is still a new release I wont spoil anything for first time viewers. But it is moments like that which seem to offer some wink at the readers and it warms my little fangs!
There are, not in the first movie, a mix of mythical monsters. Vampires and werewolves, like Underworld, are enemies here too. It is not until the second book that the werewolves appear and I am looking forward to that - A LOT. There has been heated debate amongst the vamp lovers and the dog lovers. GO THE WOLF!!!!! Ooops, I have just kinda gone off right now! We just hope the second film stays faithful to the book and avoids morphing the werewolves too.
2 comments:
I saw it again yesterday and I concur re the casting of Rosalie and Carlo - something just off the mark for me about both of them, though if you remember Rosalie's back story then she is more fitting in her looks perhaps. Carlo didn't bother me so much the second time around but I would rather Harrison Ford. Oh my, that would make it truly lust worthy!
The music is just sensational and as my viewing partner concurred, it's not often you get a movie from the USA where landscape features so strongly in the story (virtually the opposite could be said about most Australian films). It is breathtakingly beautiful scenery (not a mall in sight).
I'm really disappointed to hear they have ditched the director for the next films - why? she did a really good job, I think. One of my favourite film adaptions so far though nothing will ever match the first Lord of the Rings for me in that regard.
I suspected, going with a younger audience, that there is some squeamishness about what I thought was a very realistic portrayal of teen angst (well, apart from sparkly vampires!). Yes, sometimes it is embarrassing in hindsight! And I'm old enough now to enjoy that.
I actually didn't mind Rosalie's casting. I suspect she might take the role interesting places, but she didn't have enough screen time in this film. I did enjoy the understated humour from the father.
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