Cringing all the way through

Rating: 5/10 (23 December 2008)

I know this review is a bit late, only went to see the movie last week to avoid the packed theaters of screaming girls. I went in with a pretty low expectations on this movie, as expected from any book adaptation, and from previous reviews. The movie was just bearable.
The Good: Most of the characters were casted accordingly, kudos to most of the actors for the Cullen family, Jacob, Charlie, Forks students, and Renee. All did OK jobs, and fit the parts quite well. Soundtrack was alright too, not the Evenescence-ish music i was expecting. Thankgod. Oh, and baseball scene was pretty cool. Tree climbing was pretty cool...expect the "spider monkey" line, C'MON!
The Bad: Kristen Stewart. I don't even know where to begin. Horribly delivered lines, sounded more like stuttering, clamping her lips together, dull, boring, abrupt stopping at the start of every line, Physically, she looked exactly like the Bella I had in mind. But, puhLEASE! Can the girl show just a glimmer of facial expression?!?! No passion! (c'mon the story is about passionate, undying love for all eternity duh), she didn't even look remotely in love with Edward. Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen was very suitable...physically. I'll admit, one of the most gorgeous guys i ever laid eyes on. Acting wise...eh. You can really tell this guy has little to no experience. Facial expressions in half of his scenes (fist bio class, sucking out the venom from Bella's arm, the weird shot of his face after he tackles James from Bella, etc.) absolutely HILARIOUS!!!! "I don't know how to make furious, disgusted, livid expressions. so i'll just widen my eyes and brood into the camera". His line delivery was also pretty poor: awkward, choppy, incoherent, as apposed to the book; smooth and flawless. Sorry Rob, as inexplicably hot you are, you need to hone your acting chops.
Last, I need to scrutinize the writing: Worst. Script. Ever. The awful writing contributes to at least 70% of all the movie's bad reviews. I felt bad for the actors who had to deliver the lines from that accursed script. As for the director...nuff said.
News has it that New Moon will have a different director, hopefully he/she will be able to impress us next time. I can only hope.