Follows the Book

Rating: 8/10 (22 November 2009)

I think this was a very solid adaptation of Stephanie Meyer's second novel. While the first ten or so minutes did start off a bit clunky - the dialog was clichéd (as it often is in the book) and the delivery was strained and soap-opera-ish, the film soon found its groove and I focused less on the unbelievability of it all and more on just great old fashioned escapism.
Rob Pattinson plays Edward heartbreakingly good. I had tears in a few of his scenes and thought all he needed was a good cuddle :) Kristen Stewart is intense and suitably gloomy (but how I wish she would smile more and make us see what Edward and Jacob find so irresistible?!) I think much of my gripes about the movie goes back to the constraints of Stephanie's writing. We never do really learn anything much about Bella and the whole 'I only live for HIM' can be cringe worthy for anyone over the age of about 17. Having said all of that - I enjoyed this film very much.
Loved the werewolf story...I think Jacob and Sam and Paul etc stole the show really. Certainly they had some pretty cool scenes and I wanted to spend more time hanging out at Emily's house listening to those guys!
Chris Weitz has done a fabulous job, the colors and atmosphere and the pace was for me, perfectly done. I walked out of the cinema feeling like I'd left my own little world for two hours and just spent it far away in a place called Forks.
I'd see it again for sure.