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.


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This article has 367 comments.


on Oct. 11 2011 at 3:09 pm
worst movie in the world and not trying to hate but it sucks who ever read this comment means you hate twilight

Youallfail said...
on Oct. 10 2011 at 11:09 am
I completely agree, Twilight is Romeo and Juliet all over again with a supernatural twist. Stephenie Meyer could have added in a lot more details. I like the part about James being a hunter, but this is mostly a sappy love story.

on Oct. 10 2011 at 9:45 am
I really love twilight

on Oct. 6 2011 at 7:38 pm
LexieN14 BRONZE, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
4 articles 0 photos 3 comments

Favorite Quote:
fluffy muffins and bluffing muffins

awesome article there!

on Oct. 5 2011 at 4:22 pm
Victoria.S BRONZE, Dallas, Texas
4 articles 0 photos 24 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Someday you will look back and know exactly why it had to happen."

I LOVE TWILIGHT!!!

-Duckie- GOLD said...
on Sep. 17 2011 at 10:30 am
-Duckie- GOLD, West Fargo, North Dakota
18 articles 0 photos 127 comments

Favorite Quote:
Your heart is a weapon the size of your fist. Keep fighting. Keep loving.
-Anonymous

I can't think fo anyone else to play bella besides Kristen Stewart- but I liked bella in the book better than the movies. She was way more honest in the movies and not as funny.

-Duckie- GOLD said...
on Sep. 17 2011 at 10:27 am
-Duckie- GOLD, West Fargo, North Dakota
18 articles 0 photos 127 comments

Favorite Quote:
Your heart is a weapon the size of your fist. Keep fighting. Keep loving.
-Anonymous

Twilight is fantastic :) the book is better than the movie... but there's really nothing they could do about that

emora94 said...
on Sep. 16 2011 at 2:28 pm
I like this movie that I want to see it again. 

on Sep. 13 2011 at 1:34 pm
AyeshaMuzaffar BRONZE, Lahore, Other
4 articles 0 photos 98 comments
I can't agree more ninja. 

CARMEL123 said...
on Sep. 13 2011 at 9:19 am
I LOVE TWILIGHT

jstreet said...
on Sep. 4 2011 at 9:45 pm
this is very well written but it doesnt have anything to do with jacob and the love triangle between them

on Aug. 20 2011 at 8:03 pm
luckynumber_13, Also Omitting This, Texas
0 articles 2 photos 29 comments

Favorite Quote:
"If you were born without wings, do not prevent them from growing." --Coco Chanel

"emotional ranga of a spoon." hilarious and so accuraye XD

on Jul. 31 2011 at 7:51 pm
tarynpie BRONZE, Scottsdale, Arizona
2 articles 1 photo 28 comments
(to start off) This review was very well written! When I read the books I got really into them although I will admit I later realized, (after I was over the emotional content of the story), that the author wasn't nearly as creative compared with others I have read.  I will be honest and say that I liked the movies though I think it didn't give the real idea of the book justice. I also agree when people say the concept of the story wasn't original and the reason I think it was so popular is because it was the first vampire, supernatural story line the came out and gained so many fans so fast. In the first book Bella reads Romeo and Juliet and that is a huge give away of the idea of this "forbidden love".  Essentially, you can guess that Bella and Edward won't be together unless they are both "dead". (remind anyone of Romeo and Juliet?!?!?!) So in the end, it was just a more modern day version of the old Shakespeare play.  Lastly is the acting. I'm not a huge fan of either Kristen or Robert but how well can you act when you are given to characters with almost unhuman characteristics? (besides the love). I used to be a fan of the Twilight Saga but I don't think it quite deserved all the hype and praise it got, and in the end I got sick of the obsessions with this story while other great novels and movies are ignored.

Nai N. N. said...
on Jul. 31 2011 at 6:52 pm

I felt that both the novel and movie was okay. The myths that were used along with the lives of the Cullens gave a fresh perspective on the hypothedical way of life for a vampire. 

But, lets be honest. In the novel Bella was spineless, and in the movie I just wanted to slap her. Stewart was stuttering half the time, giving her scenes an extra awkward edge.

Edward's character was portrayed in an interesting way-- I do not think Pattinson did a poor job, nor an excellent one. Some scenes with him were better then others, but none as drasticly horrible as Stewart's.

I think the other characters (Alice especially) made up for the leads' poor acting. 

All in all, I would comment the movie more then the book. Although the combined acting lacked memorability, the way the movie was shot gave it the . . . . PAZAZ that made it worth seeing.


on Jul. 31 2011 at 1:59 pm
Musicfeedsthesoul07 PLATINUM, Naperville, Illinois
25 articles 0 photos 95 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one. " - Bill Gates

Yay! For HP fans!!! :) 

on Jul. 31 2011 at 1:47 pm
NinjaHummingbird, Manalapan, New Jersey
0 articles 4 photos 30 comments

Favorite Quote:
If we all fail, we fail together. XD

I am a  Harry Potter fan, too. :)

on Jul. 31 2011 at 1:43 pm
NinjaHummingbird, Manalapan, New Jersey
0 articles 4 photos 30 comments

Favorite Quote:
If we all fail, we fail together. XD

This is written very well, but I have to say that I thought the Twilight movies and books are absolutely terrible. Kristen Stewart had the emotional range of a spoon and Robert Pattinson just can't act. I think the plot of all of the books and movies are ridiculous in general.

on Jul. 28 2011 at 10:29 pm
Coyotalia BRONZE, North Port, Florida
1 article 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
"What lies behind us and what lies before us, are tiny matters compared to what lies within us"- Ralph Waldo Emerson.

I commend both your style of writing and your opinion. I, too, adored the movie and believe that the actors/actresses did very well in portraying Stephenie Meyer's characters.

on Jul. 25 2011 at 1:17 pm
luckynumber_13, Also Omitting This, Texas
0 articles 2 photos 29 comments

Favorite Quote:
"If you were born without wings, do not prevent them from growing." --Coco Chanel

I'm going to be blunt--are you out of your mind???!!!

how on earth do you watch Twilight and come away from the experience thinking it's a good movie??? if i were Stephenie, i would personally be insulted and ashamed that the book i wrote was made into something so painful to watch! K.S. had a grand total of maybe 1.5 facial expressions, and R.P. just seemed bored and tense the whole time. Most people here have the opinion that your review is very well written, and i have to agree. but i cant help but feel a bias for the books from you when i read this.


on Jul. 25 2011 at 1:10 pm
luckynumber_13, Also Omitting This, Texas
0 articles 2 photos 29 comments

Favorite Quote:
"If you were born without wings, do not prevent them from growing." --Coco Chanel

"Leaf from the Tree of Tales"...did you come up with that yourself? Or are you quoting someone? Either way, that's what i call great symbolism. :D