A fantastic film.. not for a fanatic.

Rating: 9/10 (29 January 2009)

When I saw Twilight (the first time, that is) I didn't quite know what to expect. I had never read the book before, though I'd contemplated it. As a rule, I never read a book before I see the film, due to my disappointment that is bound to follow. You see, when you read a book, your mind automatically assigns faces to the characters, to help it make sense. When you see a film and then read the book, the faces are already there, they do not have to be created, and there is something for your mind to follow. But, if you read a book, you may not know it, but your subconscious is hoping the characters will live up to the expectations in your head. So, that is why I never read the book if I know there is going to be a film. I wait. And I'm glad I did. After I saw the film - Which, by the way, I loved (To me, the only part I didn't like was when I realized that Bella was so goddamn stubborn) - I bought the books straight away. When I started reading twilight, I could recall which bits of the text were used in the film. Some of them, I loved - Like the line about Edward's age. I also loved Meyer's use of description - so intelligent (I had people asking me what irrevocably meant), yet so... fluent. Human. The setting and dialogue was obviously changed for the movie, but I don't see that as a down side. I wasn't exactly over the moon; I was indifferent. During the scene when Edward runs with Bella, to me, it was obvious wires were used. But that isn't a complaint; It is merely and observation - there is no way that anyone would be able to film such a difficult scenario without help. During the baseball game, the cracks of the ball hitting the bat - even though they were meant to - sounded too much like thunder. Only after I read the book did I understand how that scene should have sounded; Instead of the thunder being a mere backing track, the noise should have taken priority in that scene. Without appearing rude to the casting agency or whatever, the description of Laurent in the book did not match that in the film. For one, the skin color. The hair. This, also, is not a complaint, just another observation. During Bella's 'research' about Edward, there was a change that I noticed more than others. She didn't get the book on Quileute Legends from Port Angeles, she discussed it with Jacob. I think the reason this stuck in my mind was because it was the beginning of Bella and Jacob's friendship. Again, this is a mere observation, but I can now see the discussions importance. All in all, I prefer the book. This is only because it means I can let my imagination run wild, but the film is better when I try to imagine the scenario for real. I will defiantly be watching New moon in the cinema and getting the sequel to breaking dawn (Midnight Sun). If you are yet to have seen the film, I do advise you to do so.