Wooden acting and slow pace really hurt this one

Rating: 5/10 (5 December 2009)

Vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) leaves his human lover Bella (Kristen Stewart) because he doesn't want to turn her into a vampire (even though she wants it). She meets hunky Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner)...but he's a werewolf. Seriously! Then things get increasingly stranger.
OK--I knew what to expect. I've read all four books of the Twilight series and liked them (except for the last). But what reads well, doesn't PLAY as well in a movie. I actually broke out laughing when someone said to Bella (with a straight face) "Werewolves aren't the best people to hang around with"...and SHE'S a vampire!!! The plot twists and turns that read so well in the book just did not transfer well to screen. Also the movie was far too long and moved slowly. Even worse, the sexual appeal of Jacob and his brothers was never played up--in a film aimed at a female audience! What really hurt this however was the acting. Kristen Stewart was TERRIBLE as Bella! All her line readings were wooden and her face never changed expression--not once! Lautner was only a LITTLE better than her. Pattinson and his family were great--but they're hardly in the movie. On the plus side the CGI werewolves were impressive and a fight between two of them was lots of fun! But, all in all, the slow pace and dreadful acting really sink this one. I wish they could get rid of Stewart but I'm afraid they're stuck with her. A 5.