First Things First…
I really wanted to watch this right after I read the book about eight months ago, but it wasn’t streaming anywhere until recently. So I’m watching it for the first time ever now. I don’t have terribly high hopes. But then again, I have male friends my age who like these movies. So despite not being the target demographic, maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised??
5 Things I Like
5. Introducing James Early
One of the problems I had with the book was that it takes a long time to introduce the villains. If I remember correctly, James and his cronies don’t enter the book until they show up at VAMPIRE BASEBALL, more than halfway through. So even though he’s a scary character, I found it harder to invest in him.
Here, though, there are a couple of short scenes that show us they’re out there, killing people near Forks.
It didn’t have to be much. Just this little bit made me care more about the villains when they finally meet the Cullens and Bella, again at VAMPIRE BASEBALL.
4. Wolven Warnings
Just like in the book, I dig the stuff with Billy and Jacob, and their rivalry with the Cullens. Jacob tells Bella about the uneasy truce their clans made a long time ago, which explains why the Cullens don’t go near the reservation.
Even though, in both cases, it’s pretty obvious what the Blacks really are—and that’s one thing that was impossible not to have spoiled back when the books and movies were coming out—I still like it.
3. I Never Knew Mike Dexter Had It in Him
As an unabashed fan of Can’t Hardly Wait, I learned at some point in time that Peter Facinelli is in the Twilight movies, but I never knew what character he played. When I first heard this years ago, I assumed he played a villainous vampire. I mean, Mike Dexter is one of the all-time dumb jock, terrible boyfriends.
So imagine my surprise when he shows up as the good Doctor Carlisle Cullen!
Carlisle was already one of my favorite characters from the first book. And though he doesn’t get to do much here, and we don’t learn as much vampire lore from him, he’s still one of the best parts of the movie as the leader of their “vegetarian” clan of vampires.
2. Good Ol’ Charlie
Billy Burke is another stealth favorite of mine from various things over the years (especially the canceled-too-soon TV show, Revolution).
When I discovered he plays Bella’s dad, Charlie, my first thought was that he’s too handsome for the role. But that mustache and those flannels give him just enough “everyman” flair to make it work.
There’s a sadness to Charlie. And a dullness. Also, a serious sense of responsibility. Despite the long looks he gets from the locals at the diner as the police struggle to solve the rash of murders Forks has been experiencing, he’s a good chief who’s always helping out and going above and beyond for his community.
Most importantly, his love for Bella is clear.
He gives her space. He’s not much of a conversationalist, and they don’t always have much to say to one another. They don’t share many interests. And he recognizes all of this. But he tries. He takes care of her.
That’s why Bella is heartbroken when Edward convinces her that the only way to try to evade James and protect Charlie is to leave Forks immediately—and the only way to do that is by breaking Charlie’s heart.
In a movie centered so thoroughly around one main relationship—this teen romance—this is the film’s most poignant scene.
1. Melancholy Comes to Forks
If there’s one thing this movie is really good at, it’s capturing teenage angst and melancholy.
Bella has that demeanor from the start. She brings it with her to Forks, where she moves so she doesn’t feel like a burden to her mom now that she’s remarried.
She’s also just a moody teen who, somehow, attracts a bunch of friends almost immediately. Yet she never pays a ton of attention to them because she’s constantly brooding over Edward.
And speaking of brooding and Edward—need I say more?
Well, I guess I will…
It’s amazing that someone who is nearly a century old does angst just as well as a real teenager. But I guess it’s a sign of a strong moral compass that he feels so strongly about Bella but is also so afraid of putting her in harm’s way—from himself and from others.
The score also does a fantastic job of capturing this melancholy, as Bella and Edward’s romance always seems doomed because of the impossibilities of an immortal vampire and a very mortal human being in a lasting relationship.
1 Thing I’m Mixed On
1. Bella & Edward
I know. This is the most lukewarm take possible. But there are points when I really like Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in the lead roles. As I just talked about, they do angst really well.
But there are also points when I really don’t care for them.
They certainly look their parts. Let’s start there. I can easily see these two falling for one another. (It probably shouldn’t be a surprise, then, that they dated in real life.)
But there are points when they don’t come off as well. Like when Edward returns from his getaway and introduces himself to Bella in science lab… or when one of the first things he says to her is that he has trouble reading her…
And, of course, there’s Bella wanting to be turned by the end of the movie. I struggled with this in the book, too. I want to be open to the strength and depth of teen love and passion. But this is still such a wild position to take—especially so early in a relationship. Plus, there would be no going back.
And Bella would have a hell of a time explaining this to Charlie.
6 Things I Don’t Like
6. Victoria Watching
I thought it was weird that James’ companion who warns the Cullens is sure to tell them not to underestimate Victoria, but then she doesn’t factor into the story’s climax.
Turns out, she’s still around—creepily watching Bella and Edward at the prom, presumably plotting revenge.
I don’t remember this happening in the book. But whether it does or doesn’t, I’m not excited if this is really the direction we’re going. There’s just not enough there with Victoria for me to want her to remain in the story. But if she is the villain in New Moon, they have a lot of work to do to make her compelling.
5. Less Dramatic Friends
Bella’s friend group causes much more drama for her in the book. This is probably just one of the sacrifices necessary because the movie doesn’t have time for everything. But they still introduce all these characters—Mike, Jessica, Angela, Eric—and though they’re in the movie throughout, and we at least get a sense of who likes whom, everything with them is surface level. There’s practically nothing related to Jessica’s jealousy of Bella, or Bella getting pissed at Mike for acting possessive of her.
4. Change in Tracking
I know they specify that James has otherworldly tracking skills. But it seems like he catches on to the Cullens’ ruse and changes his path with no rhyme or reason.
How does he suddenly realize he’s on the wrong trail?
3. “Vampire”
It’s so weird when Bella finally confronts Edward about what he is, and he insists she say the word “vampire” out loud. I was so confused by the way he acts here.
2. Cheesy Vampire VFX
Man oh man… the running, climbing, super strength, and even the sparkling, all come off poorly.
I guess if you love the story it’s probably easier to overlook this, but I’m pretty mixed on the story to begin with. And these effects are just hard to take.
1. Clunky Exposition
There’s some clunky exposition throughout the movie. It’s never more apparent when we’re meeting the kids at Bella’s new school. It’s so clear that they all explain who they are for the audience’s benefit that they might as well look directly at the camera.
Tim Matassa
