Not for Everyone

Rating: 4/10 (29 July 2010)

The Twilight movie series takes a beating from males over the age of 15 and anyone that turns their nose up at this kind of movie entertainment. But I can kind of see what they are trying to do, and these movies are just another way for teens to escape from the world for a little while and forget how difficult it is to be a teenager. Not being a teenager anymore I have a hard time seeing the attraction but, like I said, I can understand why these movies and books are so popular.
After seeing The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and what Jacob (Taylor Lautner) has done to himself, it is not difficult to understand why these movies are popular with mature women all over the world as well. Not to say that all mature women chase much younger men in movies, but Robert Pattinson does tell some interesting stories about being approached by older women in ways that would embarrass a lady of the evening.
But fan activity towards actors and actresses is not really anything new. I am sure Harry Potter gets his fair share of older women making embarrassing offers to him. The thing here is the movie, and this movie is OK.
I look at these Twilight movies from the perspective of someone just looking for a good story. Sometimes you find it here, sometimes you do not. The obvious focus on the young teenage girl audience creates elements that make this movie really hard to watch for me at times.
Kristen Stewart's performance could have been done by a store mannequin. She shows no emotion, and her allegiance to Jacob and Edward flips constantly. It can actually get quite frustrating.
The teenage-focused love scenes, and the at-length discussions between Jacob and Edward about who gets Bella (like she is some sort of mannequin for sale at a store), really make the movie drag. You get glimpses of some very cool action, and some really great drama as well, but it gets watered down in the teenage girl angle. It is too bad because, as vampire and werewolf stories go, this one is not bad. But in order for this to work for the average viewer, there needs to be substance that is augmented by sappy love scenes and mindless dialogue. This movie is sappy love scenes and mindless dialogue augmented, a little, by some very good action and drama scenes.
If you like the books, then you will like the movies. The movies do not stray very far from the books at all. If you are not a fan of those kinds of books, then this film does not offer you a whole lot to look forward to.