Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer discussion

I was thrilled to SEE an advance showing Tuesday Nov18th with a theatre full of true fans (varied ages)! Without giving things away I'll convey our emotional experience more than the movie for now)

We all laughed through the school scenes more than expected even when things were supposed to be serious because we knew what was really going on with Edward and how crazy he looked to the students at the time! The school cast was great! The whole audience seemed to enjoy the film and my husband and I had no problem with the script liberties taken (at first) to improve it visually on screen; the changes seemed necessary and fine (btw Jacob has a prominent scene @ the beginning!)

But halfway through the movie I suddenly felt way further into the story than we should have been as they jump from disclosing vampire secrets to professing their love in one combined afternoon that spanned days in the book. That's when we wanted things to slow down!! I knew the baseball game was next (awesome stuff!) and the wonder of love would soon give way to terror heading into the monstrous fight (Wow!) and the few remaining scenes. From baseball to ballet(studio), action was GREAT! But there was little time to linger through the last few scenes and it was over and we wanted more!! It was like I'd just fed on deer and was happy but really wanted a mountain lion. It seems to be missing the middle "sweet" stuff.

If we could've added 15-20 minutes to it I would want the bonding time of being together in love, after the awkwardness, after discovering his secrets, denying the attraction, and accepting the risk, but before facing the reality of those risks and starting to question the safety of it all over again in the end. That short 2-3 days in the middle of the book is what makes the rest of the struggle worthwhile. I'm not sure it lasts long enough in the movie to sink in and capture the audience unless they already love these two together from reading the book. But we ENJOYED it VERY MUCH will see it several times!

How did YOU like it?
Twilight: The Complete Illustrated Movie Companion

I disagree. I thought the acting was terrible. The plot was choppy and wouldn't make sense unless you read the book. The characters were under developed. The only believable relationship in the film was between Bella and her father. I was disappointed.

okay, we just saw it again this afternoon and we BOTH loved it more the 2nd time!! They really do convey enough of the story for people to enjoy even if they haven't read the books.

I did like it, although probably more as a fan of the books than because it was a great movie. I definitely enjoyed the humor, and I agree that Bella & Edward's relationship kind of went from 0 to 60 mid-movie. I liked how the action of the climax of the book was spread out more throughout the movie. I've never been a huge Edward fan and the movie didn't convince me (I'll reserve judgment on the actor playing Jacob, because he only had a few scenes in this movie). However... James is hot! I felt like the movie stayed very true to the book and I liked hearing some of the book's dialogue spoken out loud.

I thought it was great! I knew of course that they would have to leave a lot out. There was no way to fit the entire book into two hours. I was a liiiittle sad though that they left out blood typing, cuz I think that's hilarious.

Also, my favorite line from the book is where E says he can enjoy the bouquet while resisting the wine... I was sad that wasn't in there. But oh well, I still loved it. I've already gone back a second time. I imagine it is one I will see several times in the theater. You know, I have to try to convert those friends who up till now have refused to read the book. Haha!

Oh, and I love love LOVED that RP was the one singing during the flashback montage after the fight. KS did a great job of being in pain. Wow...

Some of the one liners they added were HILARIOUS!

Jasper is the one who looks like he's in pain.

I had an adrenaline rush. It's very common. You can google it.


I also died laughing when Charlie snapped the gun, "send him in" HAHAHAHA!!! It was great!

Okay, I waited 3 miserable days to let the new wear off the movie so I could go see it. I just didn't feel like dealing with a noisy theater and so forth.

I am glad I waited. I also took my 9 year old daughter to see it, she loved it! Edward is her new hottie next to Sam Whitwicky from Transformers. I made her promise that she would limit bathroom breaks and no asking mommy questions during the movie.

It was amazing seeing the book in action. That is the best way I can describe it. I went into that theater knowing that alot would be left out and that is okay. I really wished they would have played on Bella and Edward's courting phase a bit more. Also, the scene where Emmet and Alice are in the Jeep after running from James, that was a good scene and showed how well Bella and Edward's family were bonding. The movie was rushed and I didn't particularly like that aspect, but again, you can't cram all of that wonderful dialogue into a 2 hour movie. However, I did absolutely love the Vampire Baseball scene, it was my favorite and with Muse's song playing in the background, it had me shaking my booty in my seat. I did love the little comic one liners in the movie, I also liked the scene where Charlie and Bella were at the diner when Mike was shaking his butt at her in the window. I also loved the scene when Edward pulled the dent out of her old truck. Did you see Stephenie Meyer in the diner???? Too cool! My daughter loved this movie and is already asking me more about the books, I was telling her all about them on the ride back home.

Overall, it is a good movie and I was pleased with the cast. I caught myself crying during the meadow scene like I knew I would and cried again when Edward was sucking the venom from the bite James inflicted on Bella. When they were at the prom, I could barely catch my breath when Edward leaned down and kissed the vein in her throat, I wanted to scream out, what about me....LOL

I thought I was the only one who caught SM's cameo! I hope she shows up in New Moon too.

I caught that too!!!! I freaked out and had to point it out to all the people I went with.

I really didn't like the way Bella stuttered madly in the hospital when Edward talked about leaving. She never finished a sentence. Sounded like a babbling baboon

I loved the cameo. nobody else in the group i was with caught it though. and I pointed it out to my mom right away. (I recognized her right away!)

I thought bella was angular (not soft) and jumpy through the whole movie.

I really think Summit ruined twilight.

(even though it was a nice movie, they could have done SO much more.)

Yvonne - I thought the same thing! I was like... SPIT IT OUT or SHUT UP! LOL. I did enjoy the movie overall though.

Question - what's a cameo and where was it spotted??

it was the part in the cafe` where bella and charlie are eating, and the waitress gives Stephenie a coffee or something. then she walks over to bella and charlie and asks if they found the thing thats been scarring everyone (who is really the vampires)

i loved it! Steph was sitting with a laptop, just smiling!

Celeste- Me too, I've seen it twice already. I was only in chapter 5 of Twilight when I saw the movie. I have since finished the second in record time for me =) I can hardly wait for the new movie(s) and soundtracks

Ooooooooooooooh, I see. Thanks for the clarification! :) I missed it!

Haley- I agree somewhat about Summits job on the movie. There are many things that should have been done differently and things that should have been included. Certain details to help flow into the next movie.

As a former English student, I took a class that was completely about the filmed novel. We read novels and novellas and watched the corresponding films created to interpret the novels. Since that class, I've grown to appreciate the two different art forms (novels and films) and to take them as separate entities. That said, I loved the movie interpretation of Twilight, the saga that has made it onto my list of favorite books. Nothing, nothing can compare to the emotions that run through your body when you are reading Stephenie Meyer's words... but Melissa Rosenberg did an exceptional job transferring the basic emotions and storyline to the film. Rob Pattinson's portrayal of our Edward was priceless, and I really don't think that there could be another actor who could have done the job. I just hope that the fan adoration (or the abomination in some people's case)won't drive him thoroughly bonkers. Poor guy. :) I was happy with the casting, Kristen Stewart's Bella was relatable and cute, The Cullens were hot.... :), the classmates were fun, and I hope that Taylor Lautner (Jacob) will have a significant growth spurt (at least muscle-wise) to keep his pretty smile as the film representation of Jacob. I will now confess to seeing the movie 4 times, mainly because I needed a fix. I told my friends that it was like when I started reading the books, the pages were laced with heroine and I couldn't stop going back for another hit.
There are so many scenes in the book that I wished were present in the film, but I also know it can be difficult to successfully execute a scene without mangling it beyond recognition.
Scene favorites? Well, it was fun to see Stephenie in her little cameo. She discusses in interviews her visits to the set during filming and inevitably, if she loved the movie it's kind of hard to argue. Even though this makes me a huge goober, the tight shots of Edward, where you could see his emotions flash across his face, were my favorite. When he first makes his appearance in the cafeteria... the smirk always got giggles from the audience. When he rattles off answers at the restaurant (including "to get to the other side..."), when he stands at the door of his room and looks sheepish, and especially when he leans in for the kiss and says "Don't move."... are all included in my ideas of favorite scenes. But... as I stated earlier, I do have an addiction. If anything, I think the movie has served it's purpose to the literary audience by giving people a taste of the story. Everyone I know who hasn't read the books now is, at the very least, considering picking them up. I'd share... but I've just read them all again. I've convinced my sisters and most of my best friends to read the books. One of my friends was adorable, she watched the movie first, picked up the book, then we went to watch it again.
So... to put an end to my endless ranting, I think it's safe to say that I love the movie. I've accepted that there will be a variance in the story when it is up for film translation. I mean, really, what can compete with a good book and a vivid imagination?

Charlotte- Well put =) I think we all wish everything could be conveyed from the book to the movie. Thanks for the insight and opinion.
Your fellow addict!

I am sure many have already heard about the potential filming for New Moon starting as early March 09 http://www.imdb.com/news/ni0618167/

The movie was about as good as it gets for, not a movie version of the book, but for someone's interpretation of a screenplay ADAPTED from the book can get.

The only thing lacking was the epic love between Edward and Bella that makes the story so great. They made a cute screen-couple, but I didn't see any of that "unconditional and irrevocable" love that is definitely needed.

I loved the movie!! I think the story line itself strayed a lot from the book, but kept the same concepts. I am glad they added a little more Jacob, since the relationship he and Bella build is vital for New Moon. As for Bella and Edward's relationship, I think that it was a good idea for them to stick to that high school romance because if they started out with this huge epic love, then where else could they go with the story? Besides, I feel that Edward and Bella's love doesn't truly become completely unconditional and irrevocable until the end of New Moon.

I thought the movie was terrible. As a loyal Twilight reader I was disappointed in the acting, special effects, directing and casting. Oh and the Stephenie cameo was cheesy and forced seeming. She was totally made up and it wasn't natural at all. I'm glad to know there will be a new director and hopefully more money (for better special effects, recasting, etc.) for the next film.

I agree with Nicole. It was just horrible.One thing they left out: They didn't explain why the Cullens' eyes change color. That might be a minor thing, but it bothered me.

I am very eager to see what New Moon has in store for us! Has anyone read the new directors letter to the fans yet?
http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/index.html

Are we talking about twilight or new moon? If were talking about twilight then my favorite part is.....Well in the book it HAS to be the medow!!!! It the most romantic, loving, importent part in all the books! But if were talking about the movie I really love the ballet studio! It's so intense! I saw the movie the second day it was out and I didn't even read the book untell I saw the movie and fell in love with it! I remember crying during that part even though I wasn't a fan yet! I cryed because I new that they were in love and she was dying! Really sad.