Tried to stay too true to the book

Rating: 5/10 (23 November 2008)

Adapting a book to a movie is very difficult. If you deviate too much from the story you get slammed, yet this movie tried to cram a too long book into a movie and we lost the character development. It tried to include too many key book scenes while not leaving enough time to build up the relationship between Edward and Bella. It lacked the intensity and angst of Brokeback Mountain/The Notebook. I never felt any fear of loss or emotionally charged love.
As far as the acting it was OK to me, nothing Oscar worthy but it might have been due to the corny dialog. Again, maybe time to deviate from Stephenie Meyer's writing. She wrote a thrilling novel, not classic literature by any means, but the dialog didn't translate well to film form. Kristen Stewart was right to insist on changing her lines. She did an admirable the job. The movie trailer didn't do her justice. When I first saw it I thought "Uggh, what an awful low voice and wooden actress" but once I saw the film, she did quite well. Although, she was too somber throughout the movie and has no comedic skills at all.
Charlie, her Dad, had the most comedic lines and he played it well. Jacob Black has potential to be very funny as he was in the book. I hope any sequel made will allow Jacob to show his funny side.
I like Robert Pattinson because he is a wonderfully handsome young man. Not what I pictured when I read the story but he performed his role as well as he could within the limits of the script. I believe or want to believe he has great potential to be an excellent actor. As a person, I love his normal bubbly self in the promotional tour. He's got an open and endearing personality that you can't help but love. I will definitely be interested in watching his future films and hope he continues his leading man roles for which he is well suited.
Usually for most movies where I read the book first, I am disappointed by the movie and this is no exception. One exception is The Kite Runner. I loved the book and the movie left me transported and moved. I hope Catherine Hardwicke will check that movie out as inspiration for any Twilight Sequels.
I have no opinion on the directing since I'm not an expert on film directing but I thought Catherine did a great job and hope she goes on to direct any sequels, but a better script writer is definitely needed.