Close, but no cigar

Rating: 6/10 (29 June 2009)

Ever since I saw the film clip with Edward saying something along the lines of "better hang on, Spider Monkey," I knew this film would be a fail. However, I was happily surprised by a few aspects, though most of the time the film just confirmed my disappointment.
Firstly, Robert Pattinson is almost EXACTLY how I thought Edward should be in the books. The moment I read about Edward in Twilight I imagined Robert Pattinson. Besides that, he did a wonderful job portraying Edward, I thought. He fell a little flat every once in a while, but for a vampire who never got close to a human, I say he fleshed that out pretty well.
As for the other lead, I can't say the same, even if I was forced at gunpoint. Kristen Stewart fits Bella when it comes to physical aspects, and that's about it. Only a wooden plank wouldn't cringe at her performance. If it was a problem of facial expression, one would only need to close his or her eyes whenever she was on screen, but she spoke lines like they well, were lines. The scene where they come upon the police station after going to the restaurant jumps to mind, when Kristen performed the Award-Winning "What is going on?"
Apart from acting, Hardwicke does have an eye for beautiful imagery, but much of her camera angling doesn't really help. Many times you see the copious amounts of make up stand out, and the ballet room scene screams of cables holding the actors up. The effect of Edward running up a mountain was quite cheesy to me.
Hopefully for the next movie, Taylor Lautner will be able to shine as Jacob Black, as well as the rest of the werewolves. Other than that, I hope the new director at least tried to get Kristen to look alive.