Twilight Misses Mark

Rating: 8/10 (11 January 2009)

As a forty-something and definitely not a YA reader, I read the series in a few weeks. So that right there says I was hooked. Naturally, I was anxious to see the film version and I truly did enjoy it. However, I was somewhat disappointed that much of the emotion so heartfelt and ever-present in the book was severely lacking in the movie. Granted, it was certainly a lot of material to cram into 2 hours but the movie failed to reach the emotional depths that Stephanie Meyers' characters possessed, especially the part of Bella Swan. I just couldn't feel Bella from Kristen Stewart. I wanted to but it just wasn't there. What really annoyed me was her constant blinking and shaking her head. Was that supposed to be her defiance, stubbornest??? I'm supposing maybe it was her portraying Bella's nervousness? I couldn't feel Bella's emotion? Where was her shyness? How about Bella's blushing? Bella's clumsiness? Robert Pattinson was more believable than I anticipated as the part of Edward Cullen. However, what you really miss in the film is his need and love for her. Having lived as long as Edward has, he knows he's found his soul-mate but doesn't know if it's safe - for Bella. The movie didn't focus enough on that I think. It just doesn't capture the intense love they both feel for each other. It totally missed that he was a 108 year-old vampire that was much more adult than your typical mortal 17-year old male. In the book, it's painful and very difficult for Edward to touch and kiss Bella without killing her and the movie missed that completely. The uncontrollable desire he feels for Bella and yet the pain of not being able to have her. The meadow scene in the book was more enlightening and romantic than the film's version. Another missed mark was that I was expecting Bella to be absolutely terrified as she was in the book as they raced through the woods. That was non-existent. I think the effects could have been better. I could barely hear a hiss and the flying scenes were so fake. I know they didn't have a big budget but, gees, the audience pays for viewing so at least make it believable.
I'm looking forward to New Moon but concerned that the production schedule is so short. I can't imagine cramming all that material in in a matter of a few months. I've read where Robert Pattinson had trouble with the contacts that made it so difficult for him to properly portray his role and I certainly hope the issue is addressed this time around. He's a good actor and will make a spectacular Edward with a little help. Kristen Stewart needs to tone-down a little. Bella's nervous but not that much. (I must say she really pulled it off in her performance in the hospital scene.) And, they both need to act like lovebirds to convince the paying audience. New Moon is much more emotional than Twilight. I sure hope they can pull it off.