Screenplay just as good as the book

Rating: 9/10 (1 December 2008)

The comments made by cligutan say it best: "Don't spend your time comparing it to the book." When you have to turn a 500 plus page book into a 121 minute movie scenes will be cut and the pace of things has to be accelerated.
Melissa Rosenberg, the screenplay writer, had a really tough job. Die-hard fans aren't going to appreciate any changes made between the book and movie and considering the audience target is Tweens they may not understand. I have read many books that were turned into movies and it is a rare occasion when the movie is better than the book as in this case.
The introduction of Edward was far from "awkward" and the scene where Bella walks into class and Edward catches her scent is PRICELESS. The romance between Edward and Bella is rushed but then again you only have 121 minutes for them to fall unconditionally and irrevocably in love.
The fact that the movie had to deviate from expanding on the Edward/Bella relationship to include the James storyline is pertinent to movie number 2 (New Moon). New Moon is about Victoria and her hunting Bella down. The threat of having Victoria out there is another reason why Bella and Jacob become so close. Movie 2 can pick up where Twilight left off as the ending scene with Victoria hints that it is far from over.
I don't envy Melissa if Summit Entertainment keeps Melissa on as the screenwriter. New Moon is going to be very hard to adapt into a screenplay because it is extremely important to show how much Bella deteriorates when Edward leaves her. It is very important as it explains how and why she ends up having an unconditional love for Jacob, a love that may never had happened if Edward had not abandoned her.
Half of New Moon doesn't have Edward in it so the movie has to keep the audience interested until Italy. So much to cover in so little time.
Summit Entertainment will have to change the feel of the movie as the fan base is not just Tweens anymore. Adults young and old have recently become fans, and this increased target audience is paying for the product merchandise and will expect more from New Moon. The "cheesiness" that did sprinkle Twilight will not be forgiven the second time around.
In closing, the casting of Twilight was impeccable! The chemistry between Stewart and Pattinson was undeniable. It's a good thing Stephanie Meyer didn't get her way and cast Henry Cavill as Edward. A great ensemble makes a movie as in the case of Twilight.