Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart in Twilight
Stephanie Meyer's Enchanting Tale of Danger-Fraught Vampire Love
Dec 27, 2008
Kristen Stewart; (Panic Room), plays Bella Swan, a girl living in Phoenix Arizona with her mother, and her mother’s aspiring minor league baseball player boyfriend. When her mother’s boyfriend decides to chance his luck in Florida playing for a minor league franchise, Bella is forced to move to the small town of Forkes, Washington, to be with her father, local law enforcement officer, Charlie Swan, played by Billy Burke; (Untraceable).
Bella, who has a very informal relationship with her stoic father, finds it hard to adapt to small town living, and soon grows bored of her surroundings, despite the welcoming nature of her new friends. Bella’s boredom soon subsides as she becomes intrigued by the handsome, yet strange Edward Cullen, Robert Pattinson, (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix).
Edward is at first sighting of Bella, very evasive, often offering no reasons for his actions, however, Bella soon learns that this mutual uneasiness is a result of an underlying secret which Edward is eventually forced to expose; he is a vampire. Although Edward could potentially kill Bella if he lets his lust for her overpower him, Bella does not fear him, and the two are able to develop a close, loving relationship with little physical contact, which at times sees the pair deeply frustrated.
Edward and Bella’s journey of discovery hits a road bump, when during a meeting with Edward’s immortal, human loving family, a foreign trio of vampires catch wind of Bella’s mortal presence. The hunter vampire James, played by Cam Gigandet, (Never Back Down), is sent into a frenzy, and Edward must display all of his cunning and strength to protect his human beloved from the sadistic killer.
Vampire Myth, out the Window!
What separates director Catherine Hardwicke’s film from conventional vampire films is that the vampire myths and traditions which have been indoctrinated into popular culture have been made redundant in this particular incarnation. No longer does a crucifix, garlic, or even sunlight harm a vampire. This interpretative twist on an old legend is refreshing and allows the audience to instead focus on the deeper theme of two people, from very different backgrounds, being brought together through their mutual feelings, respect and admiration for each other, despite the pitfalls they must face.
The Verdict
An excellently engaging, and captivating story, which leaves the audience wanting more. Those fans of the paperback series would surely be happy with this motion picture interpretation, and the ending begs for an exciting and well anticipated sequel.
4/5 Stars
Cast
Kristen Stewart
Robert Pattinson
Billy Burke
Cam Gigandet
Producer: Wyck Godfrey, Greg Mooradian, Mark Morgan, Karen Rosenfelt
Writer: Melissa Rosenberg/Stephenie Meyer (Novel)
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Summit Entertainment (PG-121 Minutes)
Filmography information sourced from www.imdb.com
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