Trailer:
OK, as the movie was released, I was halfway through the last book in the series, so much of it was fresh in my mind. I have learned in the past that this is not the best mindframe to go view a movie that is based on a book. It makes it obvious when scenes were changed or things cut out, or if something was rewritten to make it flow better on the screen. This movie was no exception.
Overall: Casting was done well, I thought. Kristin Stewart really WAS Bella and Robert Pattison (I apologize if I misspell any of these names!) was excellent as Edward. A friend, who went with me to see it, was upset because the Edward in her mind was older, whereas they cast a TEENAGER. I had to remind her that the character of Edward was changed into a vampire at the age of 17, so he was physically a TEENAGER. Just because he had been around for nearly 100 years, and thought like an old man did not make him LOOK like an old man. This actor had previously been Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire, but I didn’t automatically recognize him. May have something to do with the pale skin.
The other characters were well cast also. The Cullens were great, although it was unnerving to see Peter Faccinelli with a) blond hair and b) such white skin. Being the Italian he is, I’m used to his dark looks. They played the parts so well, even Rosalie. LOVED Esme and Alice. And Bella’s dad, Charlie, was perfect.
My biggest criticisms of the movie are as follows:
1) The movie seemed to cram 9 months worth of plot from the book timeline into a 3-4 week time period for the movie timeline. It seemed very unrealistic, if you could believe that from an unrealistic subject matter.
2) Many of the scenes seemed to magnify the fact that the book itself wasn’t well written. I don’t know if Bella’s thought process just didn’t translate well to the screen or what, but it made it very dull and tedious to watch.
3) Scenes WERE added that were not in the book. Namely, the “other coven” of James, Victoria and Laurent are seen throughout the movie attacking humans. I assume this was to create the idea that vampires are dangerous, as if we didn’t already know. And maybe to have the audience wonder if maybe one of the Cullens has slipped and is out killing people. In the book, their presence was really only to move the book along and bring it to the climax, where James tries to kill Bella. These added scenes weren’t terrible, and it helped move the plot, but it was obvious that that was something that was definitely missing from the book.
I did like the movie, mainly because it was good eye-candy. However, if you have not read the books, and cannot see the double entendres and foreshadowing for things to come, you probably won’t even understand half of it. You have no idea why Rosalie is upset, or what the story is with Jacob, or any number of side plotlines that come out in subsequent stories. That being said, they are currently working on the adaptation of the 2nd novel in the series, so perhaps before the franchise is over, it will all make sense and work in with the novels. It was not a movie I would drag my husband to, because he wouldn’t be able to see the draw of it, let alone figure out what was going on. He does enjoy the Harry Potter movies, because there is a semblance of a plot and while it’s helpful to have read the books, it is not essential.
So, final word. If you liked the books, you’ll like the movie. If you haven’t read the books, don’t bother in this case. It’s not worth your time or money. Save it for Half-Blood Prince due out in July.
