Interesting take on the genre, but definitely not horror based...

Rating: 5/10 (5 July 2009)

Many elements of 'Twilight' have been explored in other vampire movies. One might gather that this film has little to offer. Not so. There are also several old rules that get tossed out the window here, and that makes for an interesting film. The objective is not fright and blood. It is certainly not ritual (unless you include baseball). And the only relation to 'Lost Boys' is found in the 'new kid on the block' story line. So on to the good and the bad (no ugly in 'Twilight'). It is definitely a film with Barbie, Ken and their teenage daughters in mind. But fans of the genre might just be entertained.
Since it was based on a novel, there was plenty of obligatory set-up work to be handled. Director Catherine Hardwicke does so while maintaining a smart pace. She is able to move onto, well, just the potatoes I'm afraid, without dragging her feet. The story is set mainly in the Pacific Northwest. This allows for a nice compromise between the old day/night conflicts of most vampire adventures.
Some of what is found in 'Twilight' is a cross between a series on the WB and 'The Bold and the Beautiful'. The vampires contained within 'Twilight' are for the most part quite affable. And as odd as it may seem, the notion of a vampire maintaining a strictly vegetarian diet is not a new one. But it does tend to water things down. And while there is a side order of hearty munchers included, it doesn't quench one's thirst for, well, vampirism.
In as much as vampire movies go, 'Twilight' is aiming for a radical departure from the norm. Given that, and as a fan of the genre, my interest was maintained. I enjoyed the setting of the film, as well as the 'new' elements as to what vampires can and cannot do. Let's see what the next chapter brings.