a true disappointment.

Rating: 5/10 (23 December 2008)

I am a big fan of the "Twilight" series; couldn't put the book down, became practically addicted to it, etc. I only started reading the saga, however, after this film came out and the craze began because to be completely honest, I had never heard of it before. Soon people started telling me I had to read these books and I am glad they did; they are a real treat, especially for a hopeless romantic like me. A few of my friends told me I just HAD to see the movie, considering I like the book so much, while others told me STAY AWAY, also considering I like the book so much. I have had my fair share of "book to big screen" let downs (Da Vinci Code being a huge one in that category) so I didn't get my hopes up too high. Good thing.
When I first heard Robert Pattinson (who will always be Cedric Diggory in my heart) was going to portray the amazingly beautiful, almost god-like Edward Cullen, I cringed. At first, to me, he just didn't fit into that category. I'm happy to be proved wrong and say he was the best thing about this film (along with Billy Burke aka Charlie Swan). I'm starting to realize his appeal and he has come a long way since Harry Potter. He plays the part of the torn, "I want to love you but I can't or I may eat you" vampire flawlessly. Too bad I can't say the same about Kristen Stewart. It's not that I don't like her, she just annoys the hell out of me with her lack of emotion and her twitchy delivery of every line. It almost becomes funny around the end in the studio and hospital scenes, the parts she actually tries to show some emotion and fails. Plus, while reading, she just wasn't the Bella Swan I pictured. As for the Cullen family, I felt the parts of Carlisle and Esme were filled perfectly by Elizabeth Reaser and Peter Facinelli, even if he does look ridiculous with powder white makeup caked on. Both were warm and sincere, almost as if the parts were made for the two actors. I personally thought they could have found better actors for Jasper and Alice for two separate reasons; 1. Jackson Rathbone is just not attractive at all and I would say that's a pretty important feature since he is supposed to be "God-like" as well. I felt repulsed whenever he came on the screen. 2. Ashley Greene is cute and I could picture her as Alice Cullen, but her acting and delivery of lines is very forced and not natural. She seems to be trying to hard and too focused on her lines before she even says them to look natural.
On to the film itself. The scenery is perfect and the views are breathtaking.. one thing it has going for it. Other than that, not much. I know that films won't be exactly like the books, but this was a huge let down. The film moves way too fast, almost like the script writers were in a huge rush to get it done. Important parts in the book were left out or pointless additions were made, adding to the frustration and making you wonder "why?". You never really get to establish the relationship between Bella and Edward like you do in the book and I know that is what killed it for me. It felt fake and forced, not like they were meant for each other like Stephenie Meyer would have wanted.
If you haven't read the book, the film will be a waste of $7.50 and make you feel really unsatisfied if you're in the mood for a love story. Sure it has a scene of romance, but that's it, and it will leave a bitter taste in your mouth. If you have read the story, you will find yourself going over the book in your mind and telling yourself you could have made a better movie yourself. Save your money and just re-read the book instead.