Lost in Translation

Rating: 6/10 (7 December 2008)

Twilight: Lost in Translation? (half-done)
I've been (and still) very passionate about Edward and Bella's love story. But after watching Twilight, I all but found myself stunned (with that "that was it?" expression in my face), terribly disappointed and most of all heartbroken from how the movie turned out.
° ALL PREPPED UP FOR DOWNFALL? Leaked "blue script", on-location pictures and videos, MTV spoilers, TV Spots, teaser trailers and the EPIC-like theatrical trailer - who wouldn't get excited and expect much about Twilight? After these were let out, isn't it but natural for us to think that the film will be fantastic?
But no, I didn't let that get into me. Honestly, I do not remember myself setting or having high or low expectations for the film. I just remember being excited about it and wondered how the filmmakers will make of it - not to mention the fact that I've seen Rob the thrill was inexcusably and unbelievably high in me.
I watched it in its original version last Nov. 23rd and very pleased that only half of the 170+ seats were occupied - packed movie house is one thing I avoid and annoying reactions is another I detest . I was the first person to enter the theater and the first one to leave my seat... 30 minutes before its end.
The whole rime I was watching, I hadn't realized I was holding my breath. I was so dumbfounded beyond speech - without being aware of it - until I decided to step out. " Oh my God, what was that?" was the first thing I said. My reaction towards Twilight, you will say, must have been a total exaggeration but believe me, I couldn't agree more, despite of myself. I got bummed out for like 2 weeks but I'm gradually getting over it. I feel like I have been on the sticky wicket with my walking out.
° DEVIATION FROM THE BOOK Book-to-film movies cater a different approach in film making. It requires intensive book reading for them to have a better grip and understanding of the author's perspective - obviously not just throwing in their ideas, twists or views as if they are writing a fan fiction. Nobody must not expect the movie to be a one dimensional translation of the book. Expect slight alterations and changes as it is how been perceived by a different person.
Melissa Rosenberg - if she will ever pen Breaking Dawn's script, I must double the worry that I feel right now but strangely , I still feel hopeful that she'll polish her thing. In Twilight, she captured the right plot points - I give her that - but I felt she missed out on its foundation. It struck me as an interpretation with an inadequate effort to bring out the "magic" of the story. Needless to say, they left out the heart and soul of it and settled to invent unimpressive, insignificant scenes which were unnecessary as there were so much of the original text that has been left out.
Movies will never be like the books. You don't need to be a Communication Arts student to know this. If you are a purist, do NOT watch adaptations. I don't really care if they feel like taking out numerous portions just to give much focus on a much more definitive storyline. Nevertheless, if the semblance and foundation were not there, that is a major let down for any book reader.
If you are a non-reader, you will love the storyline but go buy the book and see for yourself what you have been missing.
° MEDIOCRITY OF THE ESSENCE Character development is crucial factor in presenting the personalities of the role portrayed. Was there any development of any of Twilight's character? I guess there was but I feel like it was ZERO, completely absent.
Bella's character is so much more important than any roles in Twilight combined because this is how we see through everything. She's our eyes to Twilight. I think the voice-over narrative of Bella's POV is perfect to establish Bella's character but it was lost throughout the whole movie. It was carried out poorly. What went wrong was that the 'Bella in action' overlapped 'Bella in VO.' I do not know if I was overly observant but 'Bella in action' didn't go well with the VO.
As Twilight being in Bella's POV, shouldn't Edward's character be based from how she saw him? You know - decent, compelling, maddeningly in control of himself - but yes, that is from the Twilight book. Nevertheless, aside from the fact Rob needs ideas of being Edward, I just wonder why did they hugely used Edward's inner turmoil (Midnight Sun character) too openly in the movie.
Granted that Twilight is mainly the strain between Bella and Edward, I understand why some characters has not been greatly established. I take it that perhaps we just need to suck it up and wait for those characters to be developed in the sequels - anyway, there really is not much of character development yet in Twilight. However, I've never dreamed their interpretation of some characters will look hilarious and weird.
I'm sad because the people who went there were surely just went there because of Edward. They missed the charming story of Edward and Bella.