Monday, March 23, 2009

This Post Won't Win Me Any Fans

I finally got around to watching Twilight today and frankly, I was disappointed. Maybe it's because I didn't get to have the whole Twilight experience of going to the theatre and watching it with a room full of adolescent (and wanna-be-adolescent) girls, but I thought it was flat and kind of dull and couldn't understand what the hell the attraction was between Bella and Edward. They both seemed a bit wooden and emotionless, which was not the feeling I got from the books at all. The book portrays this simmering lust that can't be satisfied, this longing for each other and this all-consuming passion. I got none of that from the movie. I didn't see any chemistry between the two actors, at least not that they were showing on camera. There was a lot of gazing into eyes, but it didn't communicate much, at least not to me. Am I the only one who felt this way? I'm kind of feeling like it because all I've heard, from friends and strangers alike, is this breathless awe at the film. I felt there was far more chemistry between Buffy and Angel than between Bella and Edward.

I'm kind of bummed because the part of my brain that is still an adolescent girl loved those books with a squeeing joy, even as the rational, adult woman part of my brain was saying "Whoa, hey, um, stalker much?" among other, less kind things.

Maybe I need to watch the movie again with O. She is just panting to see it and maybe some of her emotion will rub off on me. But for now, all I can say is roll on, Harry Potter.

16 comments:

Chris said...

I agree. It was OK but not near what all the hype boasted. no loss of fan status here....

Laurie said...

Oh ya, I agree! The movie was nothing like the book--the chemistry between the characters was just not there. I am hoping that the bigger budget helps New Moon but I'm not holding my breath. I did still like seeing those characters on the screen. I just wish they weren't so stiff and forced. But hey--James in the movie--Flippin hot!

harmzie said...

Nothing lost here (in fact, possibly gained, since this is my first time here!)

As one who is soon to embark on reading this - just to see what all the fuss is about - your analysis seems fair. Books are often better than their movie version. Something that was a pretty surprise success & hurriedly rushed to screen (I think, I'll pretty quickly back down if any of that's wrong), is not so surprising to be - em - less than Oscar quality.

Heidi said...

So is it pitiful that I have neither seen the movie nor read the books? I'm rebelling (but secretly I'm worried that I'd be obsessed if I jumped on the wagon).

Anonymous said...

ha...I just watched the movie for the first time last night and was really disappointed...I loved the books but the movie no! I found the actors' acting "forced"...oh well...another book turned movie that disappointed me..nothing new there.

Mama Bub said...

Loved the books to the point of sinking into a funk when I was done reading them. Hated the movie. Well, I was in a quiet movie theater with candy and no toddler to keep from putting old popcorn in his mouth, so I guess hate is the wrong word. I think the actress who plays Bella is all wrong for the part and that ruined the movie for me. Usually the movie is a disappointment after the book for me. That said, I love the Harry Potter books and movies equally.

Ricki said...

Ditto what Heidi said.

Green-Eyed Momster said...

I haven't seen it yet but after what you said, maybe I'll read the books instead. I trust you!
I thought the Da Vinci Code book was much better than the movie!

Hugs!!

Beth said...

My dear daughter thinks I am INSANE for not falling madly in love with Edward, when all I kept thinking was that Rob Pattinson was so much better as Cedric Diggory. I found myself thinking that the books were much better than the movie turned out to be (I know that frequently that is the case, but this one seemed particularly stiff to me.)

Though she says she has "gotten over" her mad love of all things Harry, I too look forward to the next installment far, far more than the next Twilight movie. I'm still on board with you, Major B!

Meg said...

I fully agree!! I loved loved loved the books with passion not unlike that of the love I have for my husband but the movie, while good-ish, left me wanting more. They left out so many bits, they really deprived the audience of a lot.

I can only hope that the new director they've brought in will be able to do something with the next one.

Oh and HP 6? WOOOOOT!

Mike said...

I've not seen the movie or read any of the books (my wife and daughter have though) and I think it just was waaay too hyped. That can cause disappointment in a Major way...

Lea said...

Harry Potter beats the greasy pants off Edward anyday....I can't get enough of that trailer.

Nenette Alejandria Mayor said...

I haven't seen it yet, but that was what I was afraid of. I definitely still want to see it as I've read the books, just out of curiosity.

Yes, I recall better chemistry between Buffy and Angel... but Cordelia and Angel were even better than that. :)

Anonymous said...

WHAT??? Cordelia and Angel????

I have to get the Angel dvds.

Oh, and thanks for posting the Harry trailer. Can't wait.

Sarahtoo said...

I enjoyed the Twilight books, but I'm not passionate about them. I didn't see the movie 'cause I didn't like any of the trailers! I love the HP books, but so far I've been unimpressed with the movies (don't hurt me). 'Course, I've only seen through HP3, so maybe I'm missing something?

Know what I like better than Twilight? PC and Kristen Cast's House of Night series. First book is "Marked"--it's awesome! These grabbed me in a way that Twilight just didn't.

Shutter Bitch said...

Here's what I said about them on my blog:

"I bought the Twilight movie last weekend with a left over gift card I had to Target and I will just say this: acting aside, I slobber over this movie. Kristen Stewart’s over-blinking annoys me, as does all the ‘like’ and ‘totally’ from the characters, but I realize they’re portraying teenagers who really do talk like that. And the Edward-brooding does get a little, um, unbelievable at times because he’s so … bad at it. But who cares. I’m watching it for the eye candy and perhaps because it’s an adaptation of a first book in a series and that book was mainly to set up the remaining books it’s a little hard for the first movie to produce outstanding results. The first Lord of the Rings movie wasn’t the best of the trilogy either, so I have patience. I heard that they’ve confirmed the filming of the rest of the Twilight series..."

Other than the mad crush I have on Pattinson, I felt it was ho-hum myself. Also, the leap from him trying to stay away from her to him declaring her his whole life was too much of a stretch. It didn't feel that way in the books, but in the movie, it was as if I were watching two films spliced together with the same characters. Where was the heat? I think they edited out too many of the scenes between Bella and Edward that would have illustrated his inability to keep from thinking of her.

But, it was a first of a series, which usually sucks, and the director is a bit of a newbie, too. Perhaps there will be improvements as the series goes on.

In the meantime, Haaarrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyy!