Twilight is not your typical love story.

Rating: 7/10 (25 September 2014)

When you hear the word "Twilight," what do you think of? Maybe you picture teenage girls screaming "Team Edward!" and "Team Jacob!" Maybe you think of sparkling vampires, or ripped werewolves, or a moody Kristen Stewart. These are the things that give Twilight, the movie adaption of Stephanie Meyers' first book in her best-selling series a bad rep. However, you don't need to be a "Twihard" fan to enjoy this film filled with action, love, and humor.
The storyline follows Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), who is the new girl at her high school in Forks, Washington. She appears shy and not too desperate to make friends. When she lays eyes on the brooding Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), however, she is instantly captivated by his chiseled jawline and rather fluffy hair. Bella soon realized that he is just as enamored as she is.
There's a catch, though, of course. Edward and his family have a taste for blood: animal blood, that is. They are not your typical vampire family: they sparkle in the sun and choose to live among humans peacefully. Things get complicated though, when a werewolf by the name of Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) also falls for Bella. She must choose between Jacob, her warm-blooded childhood friend, and Edward, who Jacob calls a "bloodsucker." (Can you tell I'm Team Jacob?) This movie does not only consist of the love triangle's drama, however. Things get more problematic when the Cullens' enemies find out they have told a human what they are. These enemies call themselves the Volturi. They are the merciless, black-cape wearing villains that more closely fit the "vampire" stereotype. The Volturi does not approve of the Cullens' acceptance of a human into their lives, and this starts a feud between the groups filling the movie with intense, eye-catching action scenes.
Although this book series was wildly popular and the movie was highly anticipated, the director, Catherine Hardwicke, manages to give a more "indie" feel to the film. The dark hues and enchanting music by Carter Burwell work perfectly together to create a haunting, intense atmosphere. The setting of Forks, Washington is captivating in of itself. The misty mountains and dark forests are the perfect backdrop to this film. The movie not completely completely dark, however, it is also sprinkled with biting humor (pun intended.) Bella's father, Charlie Swan (played by Billy Burke) provides comic relief throughout the movie. He is clueless on how to raise a teenage girl, but he is very caring and protective of her nonetheless. Sure, Twilight's plot is not complicated, but it is not your average love story or vampire story either.
Catherine Hardwicke did not stray from Stephanie Meyer's book. She stayed true to the original storyline, characters, and dialogue. Twilight is a film anyone can enjoy. Yes, it is a love story, but it is also much more than that. It is also full of action and humor, and even though vampires and werewolves are involved, it is relatable. The intense actors, haunting music, and beautiful scenery come together to create a unique atmosphere that captivates viewers. Don't let today's Twilight clichés and criticisms stop you from enjoying this film. Keep an open mind going into the theater, and you just might leave a Twihard as well.