Twilight…I’m Still Confused But I Really Don’t Care
Did I see Twilight this weekend? Yes
Did I see it twice within 24 hours? . . . um, yes.
Was it all that I hoped? I have no idea. I guess yes, because really I just didn’t want to hate it.
Was it without fault? Absolutely not.
Did I love it? Absolutely yes.
Hubby and I went and saw Twilight on Saturday. As we walked out I told him I was going to have to go and see it again. And I did. Today, about 24 hours later. And yet, I still can’t seem to wrap my head around what I saw. There’s a whole lot on the web right now about what the intent was. Was it supposed to be funny? Was Rob Pattinson trying to be over the top? Etc. And the books? Jeez! Is it anti-feminist? Is it all just to push a hidden agenda for Mormon abstinence? Blah blah blah.
Here’s the thing - I don’t care! What it comes down to is this: Meyer wrote some books for teens that captured teen infatuation/love/obsession so well that although we are 15 years out from that stage in our lives, us adult ladies are being swept away all over again. I don’t care if Bella’s character is anti-feminist and self-sacrificing. We have thirty year old women in love with Edward Cullen. And if we ladies are going to go and see a movie directed at thirteen year olds? Well, we’re going to have to let some things slide. We just weren’t the target market for this one. And as for the abstinence thing? Um , that theme was pretty freaking obvious from the start, was it not? So is this an “agenda” now because Meyer happens to be Mormon? And is this really new, like, we didn’t pick up on that theme before? Whatever. Anyway.
The movie totally succeeded in capturing the feel. The environment was spot on. The costumes were perfect. The look was flawless (not the effects, but the look). The use of music was awesome. Truly. And isn’t that so important in a movie like this?
I did have many issues with it, particularly the first third or so. I sat there cringing at bad make-up, weird running effects, questionable acting, but you know what? I thoroughly enjoyed it anyway. My husband, who has never read any of the books, thoroughly enjoyed it as well and, in fact, was far less critical than me.
A movie will almost never live up to the book on which it is based (of course, there are exceptions). No one could have lived up to my Edward. No one.
But when I approached the movie as my teenage girl self and saw it through my adolescent eyes? Yes. Success. And let’s not forget for who the books, and certainly this movie, were made. If there’s any question about that, let us ponder this vampire movie that is rated PG-13, people. Oh, to be thirteen and seeing Twilight for the first time . . . I probably would have cried.
There were parts of this movie that made me remember why I loved the books. It made me want to go back and read them all over again. When it comes down to it, I think that’s the sign of success for a movie based on a book. It wasn’t perfect. I still don’t even really know what was purposeful and what wasn’t. I think it’s fascinating that it is open to interpretation that way. You can bet the DVD will be mine as soon as it comes out, because this movie is fun. And that’s something I didn’t necessarily expect.
Peace out. I love Twilight.
I think the whole are these books or is this movie pushing abstinence thing is so dumb. Like, as if abstinence is a bad thing to be promoting to the audience it is geared towards. Like, what?
Yes, they had Forks down, cold. I wasn’t expecting the Twin Peaks-y feel either. I was actually relieved by the effects, knowing the budget was so weany, I was concerned at what they were actually going to be able to afford to do and I was sort of expecting them to be terrible.
I was disappointed that they had to cut out so much of the romance and condense it but I fanned myself in a couple parts. (the end of the restaurant scene, kissing in the bedroom (duh!) and the kiss at the end) Their chemistry was unbelievable.
I’m so glad your husband enjoyed it. Is it any more interested in reading the books now?
I went to the midnight showing on Thursday night and had a great time. I want to see it again also! And I think your opinions are right-on.
i can’t WAIT to see it!!!!! ACK!!!!
i never picked up on the abstinence-agenda-thing. guess i was too distracted by the romance and sweetness of it. i actually liked that a novel about teenagers wasn’t full of sex, drugs and stuff, a la gossip girl. (besides, its not like they didn’t want to, they just didn’t. thats a message i wouldn’t mind my kids hearing.)
i was much more bothered by the overly-obsessive love/anti-feminist angle. i just wished bella was stronger.
none of this detracted from my enjoyment of the books AT ALL. seriously. how cute is edward? sigh.
I’m so excited to see it. The effects, Forks yipee!!
The abstience angle- great!
Jenn
I totally think it pushes mormon belief stuff, but I never thought that until the last book… Not why i hated that book though.
did you read my follow up twilight post?
I went and saw it again. I am a stickler for details and knew I hated he because of all of those details. Once they were out of the way, I saw it a second (and third) time and really like it. I think you are spot on, in what you said…
I saw it twice this weekend and I know what you mean about not being able to wrap my brain around whether I loved it or not. There were certainly some parts that I loved and can’t stop thinking about but there was a huge part (the development of Edward and Bella’s love story) that I still feel was sadly lacking.
You should link your post up to my Twilight Movie Madness carnival.
My daughter and a bunch of her girlfriends (all 13-years-old) saw it on Friday after school, and had a blast. She did say that she almost cried.
I’m going to see it tonight. I don’t expect it to be as good as the books. I never do with movies based on books. I am glad to be an adult and able to just enjoy the stories without having to think about what kind of messages they might be pushing. I’ll think about that when my girls are older and reading them.
Okay, I’ve never read these books and haven’t seen the movie,
I guess I’ve been under a rock…
I just heard about these books a couple of months ago for the first time- on a mom blog
Now I really want to read the books… and now I am somewhat fascinated by the actor who plays this vampire lead b/c I don’t think he’s incredibly great-looking and was wondering if he would pull this HUGE movie and series off-
But it sounds like he does… I’m intrigued now !!!!!!
Count me in Banana Blueberry’s group…as yet a non-reader and certainly am reluctant to see the movie prior to reading the much-lauded books. But knowing you and other blog writers I read love them so…think I know what I am picking up next for the nightstand!
I haven’t seen the movie, but I agree with your post, I think its ok to like something just because it makes us feel like a teenager in love. And I’m not sure I understand everyone’s issue abstinence, I mean there are teenagers out there that don’t have sex…especially ones that were born in 1901.
Amen! I had such a FUN time watching it, I just don’t care. My hub saw it with me, since he listened to the book on CD during a car trip, and we had a good time. It was actually fun to be in a theater with screaming teen girls who just about fainted every time a new character appeared. I wished I could be 13 for that day, in a small way.
Also, for your gee whiz file, I went to BYU with Stephanie Meyer. I had some english classes with her before I changed my major. She’s pretty cool, and I love that she was just a lil old SAHM like many of us, and wrote something that’s gone so far and done so well. Also, I didn’t know that there was an “abstinence agenda” although it makes sense. As a member of the LDS church as well, I can’t fault her for writing it that way. There are, in fact, LOTS of teenager, Mormon and otherwise that manage just fine that way. I don’t really see it as pushing any agenda, she’s just writing things from that perspective.
Anyhow, long live Twilight–love your post about it!
I have not read the books or seen the movie, but I have heard lots of trash talking about both. My take on it is anything that can get teenagers to read of their own accord is a good thing!
And your post totally makes me want to go see the movie
I think that I’m one of the few people left on the planet who hasn’t read the books. I finally picked up the first one last week to see what all the fuss is about!
[...] I’m considering going to see Twilight again tomorrow, only because I want to get out of the house and be by myself for a bit. And because I [...]