Twilight | Teen Ink

Twilight MAG

November 30, 2008
By Anonymous

“Twilight”– based on the first book in the best-selling series by Stephenie Meyer – is a faithful adaptation that will satiate the thirst of fans and simultaneously captivate new audiences.

The movie follows the story of Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), a normal girl thrust into a secret supernatural world when she falls in love with her mysterious classmate, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). He just happens to be a vampire.

Ditch your preconceived ­notions of vampires; this isn't a typical vampire tale. If you are looking for clichéd stereotypes with fangs, coffins, and stakes through the heart, this isn't the movie for you. Director Catherine Hardwicke and screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg stay true to Meyer's vision and create a film that ­exposes “Twilight” for what it essentially is: a story of the ­ultimate forbidden love.

Hardwicke once again proves her knack for portraying raw teenage experiences, as she did in “Thirteen” and “Lords of Dogtown.” She directs a young cast of phenomenal talent. Leads Stewart and Pattinson throw themselves into their roles and portray their characters exceptionally well. The chemistry between the two is electric.

Stewart gives a fresh, honest take on Bella. Her straightforward interpretation allows viewers to live vicariously through Bella and experience what she does. You feel her longing and desire.

Pattinson conveys Edward's inner turmoil flawlessly. His complex perception of the ­character creates a believable Edward. He conveys his feelings of vitality and emotional reawakening through his ­expressions.

The movie also has an outstanding supporting cast. Billy Burke as Bella's father, Ashley Greene as Alice Cullen, and Michael Welch as Mike Newton all deserve a nod for excellent portrayal of their characters.

The film itself is visually ­dynamic. The movie is shot in crisp blue tones. The costumes are pallid, veering away from traditional vampire attire. Bella's wardrobe ­becomes closer to the Cullens' as she grows closer to them. The nomad vampires appear savage in clothes taken from their victims.

Filmed in Portland, Oregon, the movie features stunning views and beautiful landscapes. Because of the small budget, action sequences were done physically. Though some may find the special effects lacking, the simplicity enhances Hardwicke's unique documentary-style filming. Using extreme close-ups and whimsical angles, the camera work gives the movie an intimate, realistic feel.

The music ties in to the story perfectly. Consisting of moody, angst-filled rock songs, the soundtrack fits the tone. From Muse's upbeat “Supermassive Black Hole” playing during a game of vampire baseball, to Iron and Wine's romantic “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” at prom, the songs set the mood for the scenes.

A longer film would have ­allowed more time to explain the essentials of the plot, making it easier for those who have not read the book. Although it mirrors the book very closely, many scenes had to be cut. The danger of the nomadic vampires is threaded throughout the movie to create more tension. The essence of the story is present, making changes in details insignificant; the movie's creators successfully captured the elements that made readers fall in love with Bella and Edward.

The book and the movie are equally ­satisfying, albeit in different ways, and neither is better. While you can imagine the detailed story unfolding in your head when reading the book, the movie creates a sweet condensed version for the big screen. Both allow you to lose yourself in this passionate, unorthodox romance.

All components work to­gether nicely in “Twilight” to efficiently bring the book to life. The film is a beautiful mixture of romance, action, comedy, and horror, containing aspects that will appeal to everyone.


Similar Articles

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 367 comments.


ryksummers said...
on Jan. 25 2023 at 12:50 pm
ryksummers, Littleton, Colorado
0 articles 0 photos 1 comment
Love it or hate it, you can't deny one thing‑ there is something about Twilight that makes it a defining feature of the late 2000s. It presented a fantasy that many found laughable and yet plenty were willing to buy‑ a wonderful escape from the real world. Twilight is not your typical vampire movie; When vampires feed it’s not painful, When Twilight vampires feed they release venom and it’s painful, Vampires don’t burn they sparkle, When the vampires bite they don’t leave two dots they leave a whole bite mark, A stack to the heart can’t kill them, but fire will. It’s very different than your typical vampire movie, but that’s what makes Twilight unique. Another thing is the cemetery between Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) is insane. There’s also a love triangle between Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) the cemetery between all three of the love triangle is amazing. Another thing is the tension between the Vampire aka the Cullens and the Werefolfs aka The Uley pack is so good that you can feel it from a mile away. There are also so many twists and turns in this movie you feel like you are on a rollercoaster. I highly recommend this movie and the rest of The Twilight Saga movies; there are five movies in The Twilight Saga, there’s Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn Part 1 and Breaking Dawn Part 2.
By Rylie Panfill

on Nov. 28 2022 at 9:11 am
kwest-litty-nelk GOLD, Hartland, Wisconsin
10 articles 0 photos 2 comments
I am an avid hater of said movie. There is neither purpose nor entertainment in such a foul piece of modern day film.

on Sep. 22 2021 at 3:33 pm
CrazyCatLady6 GOLD, New Radnor, Other
16 articles 0 photos 102 comments

Favorite Quote:
"There would be no shadows if the sun were not shining"

umm I'm so happy that u feel so strongly abt something, and ur writing is rlly amazing and gripping... but I have 2 respectfully disagree.
My main problem with Twilight is that Bella just gets on my nerves. A heroin with no soul or character other than a love for an inappropriately old vampire rlly doesn't cut it 4 me. There is nothing wrong with the guy saving the girl sometimes... But Bella practically needs a child leash by the time they have even had their 2nd date. Honestly he legit has 2 save her from EVERYTHING (including his own family... yes I am looking at u Jasper).
But as well as that Edward gaslights her in the second book/ movie and then turns up out of the blue and expects to be able to just boss her abt.. like watttt???? Bella also tries to throw herself off a cliff to see a hullucination of him.... ummm ok whatever works 4 u... I guess.
Edward watches Bella sleep... without her knowledge of him even being in her room in the dead of night..... ummm ye imma just leave that one there.....
Renesmee (is that how you spell it?) and Jacob..... ok I understand y some ppl may be ok with the hundred so age gap between Bella and Edward but.... RENESMEE IS A LITERAL BABY WAT R U DOING STEPHANIE???!!!!???
As well as all the above, the co dependancy and practically victorian style of Edward and Bella is RLLY gross.. it's not sweet 2 keep tabs on someone ur in any kind of relationship.. heck my MUM doesnt even keep tabs on me, so back off Edward!

idk i rlly dont like these, I'm sry if i pooped on this Twilight fan thing in the comments, but like, take away the fact that all the vampires r die hard attractive and c how cute is when 100 and something year old Edward watches 17 year old Bella sleep. Thats all I'm saying.

on Apr. 15 2021 at 12:56 am
12376-astravo SILVER, Centennial, Colorado
6 articles 0 photos 24 comments

Favorite Quote:
" A writer is a writer not because she writes well and easily, because she has amazing talent, or because everything she does is golden. A writer is a writer because, even though there is no hope, even when nothing you do shows any sign of promise, you keep writing anyway." - Junot Diaz

" Overnight Success is almost a myth. Half of this industry is luck, and half is the refusal to quit" - Victoria Schwab

To clarify Waseem a person does not need money to be able to live a happy life. Money actually causes stress because once a person has money they want more and more, and they will do anything to get the money. I believe that having lots of money is not necessary for a person to be able to live or have a happy life.

But, you did have a really good review here. IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!

on Oct. 25 2020 at 10:05 pm
Vulture1102 BRONZE, Arlington, Texas
1 article 0 photos 10 comments

Favorite Quote:
Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you are right-Henry Ford

Beautiful. Couldn’t have put it better myself

KJ03 said...
on Oct. 15 2020 at 9:02 am
KJ03, Ewing, New Jersey
0 articles 0 photos 18 comments
I read the books and saw the movies and I will always be a fan of the series. But as I grew up and watched the movies Bella was always so awkward and I don't know if that was the intention of the director but in the books, I didn't sense awkwardness, it was always an embracing feeling and I use the word embracing because "warm" doesn't work considering Edward is a vampire and literally stone-cold.

on Sep. 2 2020 at 10:30 am
HorrorTeller BRONZE, Independance, Missouri
4 articles 1 photo 15 comments

Favorite Quote:
“Let your unique awesomeness and positive energy inspire confidence in others.”

I have read a lot of twilight books and I love em

on Jul. 3 2018 at 3:55 pm
wuadbwabdu BRONZE, Wenatchee, Washington
3 articles 0 photos 54 comments

Favorite Quote:
If your reading this your too late - Drake

Like many of the people who commented, I respect your opinion. However, I disagree. It was an extremely suspenseful story and one of my favorites.

dpurdy said...
on Mar. 23 2016 at 1:11 pm
dpurdy, Craryville Ny, New York
0 articles 0 photos 22 comments

Favorite Quote:
always love yourself no matter what.

this was a good book

jose said...
on Dec. 14 2015 at 2:40 pm
Do you mind if I use this as one of my homework assignments for school please

Waseem said...
on Dec. 14 2015 at 2:35 pm
Money and happiness go side by side. Ask those who don't have money. U cannot have happiness if you don't have money. Money is need of life. If u are not happy there could be other reasons but not money is to be blamed. Happiness depend upon money and other factors too and out of those money is an essential part of happiness. But sure the greatest gift is health. I rate Health on top of every thing and then comes money.

RichHam64920 said...
on Sep. 8 2015 at 12:04 am
This is awful. The vocabulary seems forced and out of context.

on Mar. 5 2015 at 9:28 pm
AngelicPhoenix GOLD, Tea, South Dakota
13 articles 1 photo 13 comments

Favorite Quote:
My favorite quote is I am protective and defensive of my wolf pack

I hate the way they made Edward look really Robert Pattinson (yuck)

me said...
on Feb. 2 2015 at 9:51 pm
How dare you !!! This post is amazing yes but the books are da bomb and so is this post on teen ... whatever

twilight said...
on Feb. 2 2015 at 9:49 pm
I disagree i love these movies and ive read twilight 1-2-3-4-and-5 and seen all of em and personally this description is the best ever and ive never read somthing bout this so well writtin its amazing btw and mi OTP (one true pairing) is Edlla forever and fav movie is eclipse i lov ed it and love this soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much amazed by words
words

on Jan. 8 2015 at 5:52 pm
Thefanatasticagirlie101 SILVER, Euless, Texas
6 articles 0 photos 59 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul; that makes us reach for more, that plants the fire in our hearts and brings peace to our mind. That's what I hope to give you forever." ~The Notebook

It is a very well written review, but I'm not into the Twilight Saga. I have read the books, and they just aren't that good in my opinion. Great review, and I have a suggestion for you. Read or watch The Vampire Diaries, and that will change the way teens view vampires forever. It is still very convincing, and if I hadn't already read the books, I would've bought the whole saga. You will make a great critic some day. Keep up the great work.

on Oct. 9 2014 at 5:23 am
I don't like this movie

on Jun. 24 2014 at 3:08 pm
Angie_24 BRONZE, Venetia, Pennsylvania
3 articles 0 photos 7 comments

Favorite Quote:
"It is easy to forget how full the world is of people, full to bursting, and each of them imaginable and consistently misimagined."
- John Green

Although I'm not a big fan of Twilight either, the cool thing about Stephanie Meyers is that she completley revolutionized how we think of vampires.  I mean, vampires are an idea that belong to the public.  As the public changes the way they view vampires, so does the actual myth of vampires.  Don't get me wrong - the traditional Dracula style vampire will always remain relevant, but it might be moving to the background.

on Jun. 24 2014 at 3:04 pm
Angie_24 BRONZE, Venetia, Pennsylvania
3 articles 0 photos 7 comments

Favorite Quote:
"It is easy to forget how full the world is of people, full to bursting, and each of them imaginable and consistently misimagined."
- John Green

Wow.  I usually consider myself among the crowd of hipsters completely against Twilight, but you made me see the movie in a whole new way.  You made some really cool observations!

Alabian GOLD said...
on Sep. 5 2013 at 6:46 pm
Alabian GOLD, Limbo, Other
13 articles 2 photos 125 comments

Favorite Quote:
"If you can fly, don't stop at the sky cause there are footprints on the moon" - Owl City

I am not a Twilight fan, but you made me want to see the movies with this. Very, very well written! You know how to convince people. 5/5!