Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Peter Facinelli, Billy Burke, Elizabeth Reaser
Rating: M
Running Time: 121 mins
Stars: 3.5
Think of everything that you know about vampires. They have fangs, wear tuxedos and live in ancient castles, right? Well, the vampire of the 21st century doesn't. They are extremely pale, beautiful, elegant, rich, fashionable and courteous. Oh, and they drive Volvos. At least, they do in Twilight, the film based on the bestselling novel by Stephanie Meyer. Twilight is the first of four installments of Meyer's popular teen romance series. It is directed by Catherine Hardwicke, a director who never seems to make the same style of film twice in a row. Prior to Twilight, Hardwicke made The Nativity Story (2006), Lords Of Dogtown (2005) and Thirteen (2003).
Twilight is about Bella (Kristen Stewart), a 17-year-old girl who has recently moved from Phoenix, where she lived with her mother, to Forks, Washington State. Forks is a small, quiet town with a population just over 3000 and Bella moves in with her quiet but very likeable father (Billy Burke). As Bella settles in to her new school and makes friends, she has an immediate fascination and attraction to Edward, played by Robert Pattinson (Harry Potter). She can tell that there is something different about him and when there is an incident where Edward saves her life in extraordinary circumstances, she begins to put the pieces together and comes to the realisation that Edward is a vampire.
Twilight is a Romeo and Juliet story. Edward and Bella are star crossed lovers who are destined to be together but at the same time can't be together. It is a very romantic notion and is told in a very engaging way. Despite being a teen movie, Twilight is filmed in a way that can be appreciated by those who are post-teens. The soundtrack is excellent, very modern and contemporary and it fits in well with the bleak scenery and somewhat dark storyline. I think Twilight will be popular with teenagers, particularly teenage girls. It is a film that connects with the teen culture and the difficulty that teenagers may have when there is a change in their life. Other people may be annoyed with the unrealistic scenario of the film. By that I don't mean the fact that a girl falls in love with a vampire. In the tiny town of forks everyone is beautiful, extremely fashionable, and the teenagers are financially independent although they don't seem to have jobs. I also don't recommend guys to take their girlfriends to this movie as they will most likely fall in love with Edward and there isn't a man in the world who can measure up to him.
