I don't think it was intended to be so absurdly funny

Rating: 2/10 (25 November 2008)

I give it a point more from awful because it adhered pretty well to the mediocre book. And also because Kristen Stewert played Bella very well - perfectly in fact. The casting (appearance-wise) was actually good overall. However, everything goes downhill from here.
I KNEW going in, that it was going to be a bad movie; but after seeing the cast and some interviews prior, I gained a bit of hope for it. Little did I know that it would be the most ludicrous and horrible movie I've ever sat through in my whole entire life.
I knew it was bad on my part to support it by watching it opening weekend. But the movie was so ridiculous and god-awful (I've never laughed or cringed for a movie as much as I did that night) that my $10 was actually WORTH the hopefully-once-in-a-lifetime entertaining experience. (I am NOT going to see the 2nd movie, unless it is a God-send). I also know that adaptations can be a bit hard to swallow, but it's not even worth the title of being a "film".
ON EDWARD: Unfortunately, I was NOT anesthetized with an absolute adoration for Pattinson; thus I had to agonizingly sit (more like cringe) through variations of his "sexy-gaze" while he regurgitated his lines through a mouth barely open to keep his fangs in. It was like watching Hayden Christenson (as Anikin Skywalker) in Star Wars 2&3 all over again. As I felt sorry for Portman then, I feel sorry for Kristen Stewert now.
At least Star Wars made up for it with its cool CG effects. Which brings me to my next point.
ON EFFECTS: Why did they need so much money, only to present us with THOSE graphics? How could they make a vampire so...UNAPPEALING? If the book was lacking in plot ANYWAYS, it was their DUTY to do a fantastic job on the effects!! I duly give them credit for 2 segments they did...
I guess it was smart of the filmmakers to make this movie NOW, whist it is leveraged by the adaptation/remake trend in the current film industry as well as the undying support of hormonally ravaged tween girls in need of better literature. Maybe I'm getting too old, or maybe our society is spoiled and will never be as creative as it used to be. Hey, they succeeded in making a profitable film - that's obviously all they care about these days, anyways.