It's just a movie - it does not justify the characters in the book or the intense romance or the plot

Rating: 5/10 (23 June 2009)

I read books with some crazy passion. I've finished every Twilight book in a single day and I read them once all four of them were on the shelves. Thanks to the distributor, the movie has not yet been released in India and sick and tired that I was, I had to get the movie from some other channels.
As a girl I was definitely fascinated by the character of Edward. Who would not want a vampire boyfriend like him? A perfect, handsome, loving and maybe a bit more than expected gentleman vampire.
The first time I watched the movie, I was definitely not dazzled by the character portrayed by Robert Pattinson. He seemed to be reluctant and hesitant. His voice was slurry and it definitely didn't have the charm which Edward was supposed to have. At least five times I felt the urge of shutting down my laptop, watching the poor portrayal of Edward.
I found Kristen play the perfect Bella (9/10 at least). The remaining characters were also fairly well cast (except for Carlisle who didn't look better than Edward as supposed to). Kristen played her part quite well. Her voice had good modulations. Though her eyes weren't always quite expressive, I didn't mind it because Bella's character is never portrayed as one who shows what she feels.
I had to watch the movie a second time - this time with no prejudices or expectations - so that I could form unbiased opinions. Bella again seemed perfect. I had to look beyond Edward to praise Robert. Suddenly I found that Robert did look good - I know he does look good but I had some out of the world expectations for the character of Edward. His expressions did speak. He did seem genuinely in love with Bella but again, his voice betrayed him. It wasn't a perfect tone that sounded like a melody, rather it seemed to be broken into pieces and patched together. His voice didn't dazzle me. Edward was supposed to be muscular. Robert was no where near to the term muscular. I was waiting for the meadow scene where I could catch a glimpse of his perfect glittering musculature. What I get to see is a body with excess of glitter powder rubbed on it and no muscles! Utter Disappointment! I also watched the trailer of New Moon and I feel that Edward's voice is probably sounding better. Jake looks good with all that muscles on him. I wonder why can't Robert take better control on his voice and work out a little. It would add a lot of character to Edward's role and no doubt, Robert would look even hotter than he is now!
The movie deviated a lot from the original story line, but I guess it was necessary for the film. However, some parts just didn't seem necessary. The part I utterly disliked was changing the last scene such that Carlisle asks Edward to stop drinking Bella's blood. In the book Edward stops as soon as he senses that Bella's blood is clean. He then states that He MUST REALLY LOVE HER because he actually could stop. This emotion is totally lost when the movie shows Carlisle making Edward's statements.
Please Robert, you could do us a little more justice by playing the character with a little more heart. I know that Robert was chosen over 3000 actors, but he is yet no where close to Edward.
A genuine request to the crew - please don't deviate from the book unless absolutely necessary. There were so many emotions which were lost in the making of a film. Though it is good, it still does not portray the emotions and the love and the intensity as it really should.