Twilight the Movie ~ I liked it!

[Devious Cullen]

Overall I liked the movie, but there definitely were things that could have been better/changed. However I think that it's important to go into the theatre expecting that it isn't going to be exactly the same as the book, and that it won't be perfect. No movie made from a beloved book will ever fit our vision exactly. Also, it had a relatively small budget so that has to be kept in mind. Lastly, the screen play and direction have a huuuge impact on the actors. They might have played it differently but were asked to go in another direction. It's all tangled. So if you go in with that frame of mind, it's a better experience.

I'll go with what I can think of right now.


Stuff Me Likey

Bella - I liked Kristen's performance. She pulled off the awkwardness, the indifference to the shallow life with ease. I like the fact that she wasn't as outwardly emotional as book Bella. If she had been, we would be saying it was over the top. It works in the book, but it wouldn't on screen. All the emotion is there in the eyes, the body language and all that, its just more internal. As a tie in I'll add her relationship with Charlie, and Charlie in general. He was great.

Edward - Rob was good, but there's room for growth. I agree with some that he could have smiled a little more than he did, be a little lighter at times. But the darkness was also good for those times that needed it. And I know it can't be taught or learnt, but he was in no way graceful hehe. Poor guy. He clomped and slouched, adorable but not book Edward. But yeah, if you're not you're just not.

Alice & The rest of the Cullen’s - I had expectations for Alice, being my favourite. And I have to say, Ashley matched and possibly exceeded them. She played it brilliantly. I wish there was more of her.

And more of the rest too. I thought all the Cullen’s were well cast and well done. The only qualm I had, was a wee one with Rosalie. Yes she's antagonistic in the book, but she seemed... forced or something. Yet I don't think it was Nikki, but more lines and directions.

The school kids - More developed/typical modern in the movie perhaps, but funny and enjoyable.

The beginning/narration - I liked it. I know some people didn't. But it was a good way to save time, and still include vital parts of the book that matter to fans like us. Especially in the beginning with the moving to Forks. Add to this the raw, imperfect sort of way it was shot. It fit well with Bella's point view.

The Music - Great score and soundtrack.


Stuff That Could Have Been Improved

- They went from 0 - 60. I think that more of the 'getting to know you' stuff should have been included. The conversations of them learning everything about each other... even if it was short and sort of montaged, it would have been better. Before the meadow.

- The meadow scene.

- More with Alice, Jasper & Bella on the run. And more Alice & Bella friendship. But that's just personal ones.



As far as book to movie adaptations go, this one was pretty darn close to page. I have seen someone describe it as 'a fast forward version of the book', (though I think it was a criticism). Great. That's what it should be! That means it was close. If they would have made it a little bit longer and slowed it down a tiny bit, it would have been even better. Overall for me it was great, and hopefully it can only go up from here. Bring on New Moon!

[BiteMeRob]

Stuff That Could Have Been Improved

- They went from 0 - 60. I think that more of the 'getting to know you' stuff should have been included. The conversations of them learning everything about each other... even if it was short and sort of montaged, it would have been better. Before the meadow.

I totally agree with you there. I think the fact that they suddenly fell in love over like.. One conversation, was unrealistic. The relationship in the film doesn't compare to the one in the book.

[older_twilight_fan]

Overall I liked the movie, but there definitely were things that could have been better/changed. However I think that it's important to go into the theatre expecting that it isn't going to be exactly the same as the book, and that it won't be perfect. No movie made from a beloved book will ever fit our vision exactly. Also, it had a relatively small budget so that has to be kept in mind. Lastly, the screen play and direction have a huuuge impact on the actors. They might have played it differently but were asked to go in another direction. It's all tangled. So if you go in with that frame of mind, it's a better experience.

I'll go with what I can think of right now.


Stuff Me Likey

Bella - I liked Kristen's performance. She pulled off the awkwardness, the indifference to the shallow life with ease. I like the fact that she wasn't as outwardly emotional as book Bella. If she had been, we would be saying it was over the top. It works in the book, but it wouldn't on screen. All the emotion is there in the eyes, the body language and all that, its just more internal. As a tie in I'll add her relationship with Charlie, and Charlie in general. He was great.

Edward - Rob was good, but there's room for growth. I agree with some that he could have smiled a little more than he did, be a little lighter at times. But the darkness was also good for those times that needed it. And I know it can't be taught or learnt, but he was in no way graceful hehe. Poor guy. He clomped and slouched, adorable but not book Edward. But yeah, if you're not you're just not.

Alice & The rest of the Cullen’s - I had expectations for Alice, being my favourite. And I have to say, Ashley matched and possibly exceeded them. She played it brilliantly. I wish there was more of her.

And more of the rest too. I thought all the Cullen’s were well cast and well done. The only qualm I had, was a wee one with Rosalie. Yes she's antagonistic in the book, but she seemed... forced or something. Yet I don't think it was Nikki, but more lines and directions.

The school kids - More developed/typical modern in the movie perhaps, but funny and enjoyable.

The beginning/narration - I liked it. I know some people didn't. But it was a good way to save time, and still include vital parts of the book that matter to fans like us. Especially in the beginning with the moving to Forks. Add to this the raw, imperfect sort of way it was shot. It fit well with Bella's point view.

The Music - Great score and soundtrack.


Stuff That Could Have Been Improved- The meadow scene.

- More with Alice, Jasper & Bella on the run. And more Alice & Bella friendship. But that's just personal ones.



As far as book to movie adaptations go, this one was pretty darn close to page. I have seen someone describe it as 'a fast forward version of the book', (though I think it was a criticism). Great. That's what it should be! That means it was close. If they would have made it a little bit longer and slowed it down a tiny bit, it would have been even better. Overall for me it was great, and hopefully it can only go up from here. Bring on New Moon!

I agree with so much of what you said in your remarks about the movie. We seem to be in the minority of those who were pleased with Kristen Stewart's performance as Bella. A number of people have mentioned that she was flat or emotionless, but I think she gave an understated performance that accurately reflected my version of Bella from the books...the somewhat shy, insecure girl who didn't seem to feel like she really fit in anywhere (except with the vamps, but that's for the Breaking Dawn thread, lol).

I also liked the casting of the Cullens, especially Carlisle, Jasper, and Alice. I wish they could have shown more of the Cullens in the movie, especially Alice and Bella's blossoming friendship, but I guess you can only cram so much into two hours. I actually preferred the humans in the movie to those in the book and thought they acted more like real life teenagers. They brought some needed humor and lightness to balance the angst and intensity of this movie. I loved Billy Burke and thought he brought the character of Charlie to life and actually improved upon book-Charlie, for me anyway. Billy and Kristen had a nice rapport and conveyed Bella and Charlie's loving but awkward father/daughter relationship very well.

I think my primary criticism of the movie would be that the relationship between Bella and Edward was somewhat rushed and didn't truly convey the depth and intensity of their love, as seen in the book. I'm currently rereading Twilight and I had forgotten just how many simple but vital conversations Bella and Edward had in the cafeteria, on the way to and from school, after the blood typing scene, etc. I know that watching two people converse in the lunchroom may not be very cinematically appealing, but I wish there was a way the movie could have better conveyed Edward and Bella getting to know each other, before the meadow scene, as you mentioned. It really looked like Edward and Bella almost suddenly fell in love in the restaurant and in the meadow. I hope they can "fix" this in New Moon, even if they have to show a few romantic scenes between Edward and Bella before the infamous birthday party scene. Otherwise Bella's utter desolation when Edward leaves her just seems kind of random and odd, especially to non-book readers.

[mizzou]

i really liked the movie, and i read the book as well. all of the actors did a great job of portraying their character. i saw it 4 times in theatre, lol.

[cullenbaseball09]

The movie was really good. Like many people said I went to see it with lower expectations. I was very happy with the final product. i love the cast, they all got along great. Can't wait till new moon!

[thewall28304]

As an aspiring screen writer,I know that there is only so much you can put into a two hour movie,yet stay true to the book. This first adaptation of the Twilight saga is very close to page and although some things had to be trimmed out,the overall relationship of Edward/Bella remains. Most of the scenes we were hoping to see that involved Edward and Bella getting to know eachother worked in the book,but it would have slowed the pacing down considerably. I thought Rob and Kristen did fantastic jobs bringing this couple to life and it's only going to get better when the other films are made. I guess I'm part of the small group that liked how Kristen portrayed Bella and she did a good job bringing out the akwardness of the character and then meets someone like Edward,who thinks(to him at least) that she's perfect. It will be great to see this chemistry grow in the next (hopefully) three films. This was the first book to film series I've seen,where I can say I was happy with the adaptation in how faithful it was to the book.

[Simply.Wonderful.]

Well, when I went to the movies to see it, I went in with low expectations. So considering that, I really liked it. It wasn't perfect, but I thought it followed the book pretty well. I laughed at a lot of parts because of the inside jokes from the book, though. What I didn't like though was how they made the running look really fake.

[dawn]

I initially liked the movie when I first saw it in theatres.. and then I read all of the criticisms of it on here and other sights and began to remember it differently, in a way that made me not like it as much.

But I'm happy to report that after watching it again on the DVD - IT WAS SO AWESOME!! :p

[CullensGirl14]

I got the DVD yesterday and watched it this afternoon (i was itching to open the plastic then, but i'd been up for over 24 hours and needed some sleep lol).

The movie was very interesting, Robert Pattinson was far better than i ever thought he was going to be, and Kirsten Stewart was fantastic as Bella. Although, there were some things about the movie that i didn't like, which i felt were integral to character development, such as James talking about how Alice was the one who got away. But i still love it and will get New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn on DVD as well. I can let go of all the little things that didn't get put in, like it was the back of Bella's hand that got bitten by James, not the wrist.

Overall, a very very good film, glad i bought it!

[addictedbooklover]

Even though it's not great movie (especially the special effects) and in some parts the book seemed to be forgotten, I liked it.
I saw it twice at the movies and so far I've watched the DVD three times. It seems to get even better every time I watch it