Based upon the best-selling book series by Stephenie Meyer, vampires have evolved into 'veggie-vamps' who don’t require sleep, go out during the day, (provided it’s overcast outside), play sports--baseball-- ideally during inclement weather, and see human blood in terms of a highly addictive drug, as in, “Have you got your O-positive fix today?”
The New Girl In Town
Immersed in this environment is Bella (Kristen Steward), a shy, awkward teen, who has elected to stay with her divorced police chief father in diminutive Forks, Washington. A very wet and cold locale. Why? So, her mother can string along with her minor-league playing boyfriend as he tries out for the big leagues in Florida.
Since, she is the new girl transferring to Forks High, she is the center of curiosity. She is inundated by her peers, normal high school juniors who are creepier than the very pale, stand offish, “You look old, shouldn’t you have graduated from high school, like twenty years ago,” freaks. One of whom Bella falls unconditionally in love with is Edward (Robert Pattinson). He is a shy, awkward, perpetually seventeen year old vampire that was turned in 1918. You would think after decades of being a teenager he would have figured out how to be cool. One would think. Anyway, his dad/handler is a highly respected doctor who elected to settle down with his family of orphan vampires in Forks. Of course, he would have access to pints and pints of donated human blood, but he’s ethical, requiring his brood to kill innocent deer in the nearby woods. Go figure.
Surprisingly Charming
All this would suggest that the movie is somewhat lacking. It is not. The adults are surprisingly played out as...well, adults, having the best lines in the movie. The story takes a bit to play out, and the tittering muffled screams of the teenage girls in the audience vicariously experiencing their first kiss by the beguiling Robert Pattinson, soon fades to quiet, as the movie becomes more and more interesting.
The action picks up, the plot thickens, and true love wins out, maybe? Little hints of more to come suggest many sequels to TWILIGHT, such as, JUST BEFORE TWILIGHT, and perhaps the wrap, TWILIGHT TO DARK.
All in all, this is a charming, well-done, non-gory, benign, teenage vampire adventure movie that is suitable for mature family viewing. It may even allow one to debate the merits of “The old nasty vampires” verses the almost “Eco-friendly ones” with your teenage grandchildren. Consider the movie, Blog worthy. Popcorn anyone?
Cast and Credits
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Reaser, Nikki Reed, Peter Facinelli, Jackson Rathboine, Cam Gigandet, Billy Burek, Ashley Greene
Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke
Based on the best-selling book series by Stephenie Meyer
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some violence and a scene of sensuality
Summit Entertainment
Twighlight Trailer
Slide Show