Finally saw "Twilight" tonight

[fenchurch]

Now, I must say first off that I haven't read any of the books yet. I've had the first one on my Teetering Pile for quite awhile now, but still haven't gotten around to it. I hadn't actually planned on seeing the movie until after I read the book... but my sisters-in-law, mother-in-law and niece were going to see it at a matinee today and I decided to go along.

Well, it wasn't anywhere near as bad as I was expecting... which probably isn't saying a lot, because my expectations were incredibly low. It's not a movie I would have gone to see on my own, although I suspect we eventually would have gotten it through NetFlix or something. Definitely aimed more at the young teenager set and I'm not surprised that the director has been replaced for the second film because, um, yeah... long, repeated close-ups of the main characters not talking and sort of staring intensely? Not art. Really.

The movie was unintentionally funny in many, many places... and knowing my niece was sitting only two seats down from me (and that she's quite enamored of the books and movie), I tried very hard not to laugh out loud, but it was pretty tough. The last half of the film was MUCH better... since there was some actual action. But I'm afraid I never really understood the angsty romance that teenagers are supposed to go through (it was not a phase I ever experienced), so the rest of the film seemed more than a bit silly and overly melodramatic.

Oh, and unless the movie is about clowns or punk rockers or cross-dressers, the male lead really should never, EVER be wearing more lipstick than the female lead. That was incredibly distracting and I'm not sure what the make-up artist was thinking. Probably the same thing as the one for that Season 1 BtVS episode where David Boreanaz has WAY more lipstick than does Alyson Hannigan (who was sharing the scene with him)... that was also weirdly distracting.

I'm actually a bit more interested in reading the book now... although I haven't completely gotten over my trepidation that it's going to all be about the teenage angsty romance stuff.

Comments

[rahirah]

Most of the people who've seen both (who are not rabid Twilight fans) say the movie is much better. Can't say I'm dying to experience either. :/

Hey Fen, It's Holly

[(Anonymous)]

I actually enjoyed the movie for the type of movie it was, but I haven't read the book yet either. I've heard from several people that the movie was a real let-down if one read the book first, but my 17 year old and 6 year old loved the movie and they both read the book (well the 17 year old read the 1st book to the 6 year old) Glad to hear that you enjoyed your christmas holiday.

[spikeshunny.livejournal.com]

I watched the movie after much hype and also friends stating it really isn't all that but i persisted, i liked it, not so much in fact that i would actually spend money to go watch it in the theatre(I downloaded the film)

But i always enjoy books more than the film, i have got the first three books and yes tha first book i cannot put down, i always believe there is much more going on in the book and your imagination takes it a step further. I did think there was high melodrama and not enough action in my opion (Take a leaf out of True Blood's Book)

But then again that's my opinon lol

[elisi]

because, um, yeah... long, repeated close-ups of the main characters not talking and sort of staring intensely? Not art. Really.
I think she was probably trying to be faithful to the book, because a lot of it is like that (the plot doesn't really show up until the very end in the book).

Am getting very tempted to go see it myself, just to have a laugh... ;)

[rosiewook.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen the movie yet, but it sounds pretty faithful to the book. The first half of the book is a lot of angsty, "quiet" teenage obsession.

And Edward having very bright lips is actually part of his character description. Actually, I think it's supposed to be how he had perfect lips, or something like that. :)

[econopodder.livejournal.com]

I haven't read any of the books, but like some of the other commentors enjoyed the movie more than I expected. For me the most interesting bits were Dad Vampire (would love to know more about him) and the slice-of-life view of high school, which struck me as totally true to life in a way that surprised me. I thought the second half of the movie dragged; too many wondering looks from treetops, and etc.

[wildrider.livejournal.com]

I suppose, after reading these comments, I should give it a fair try, but I'm desperately biased against it because what excerpts I HAVE read have been so appallingly bad they made my eyes bleed, and, more importantly, *whine* why is she published and I'm not? /whine

[cyndisuesue.livejournal.com]

The movie succeeds in improving Bella a GREAT DEAL. The director wins all the points for this achievement alone. You read the first three books* and finish wanting to throttle the character Bella. She's so, so, so, (so so so so!) idiotic!

The movie does make great efforts to keep to the book, so Edward can appear quite ridiculous at times, but it is true to the written story.

* the fourth book can be considered at the level of very bad fan fiction.

[iposty.livejournal.com]

if you thought the movie was ok, you'll really like the books. They're far, far better.. :)