 Became a fan after the movie... |
| Review Date: January 9, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Tyrisell, Vancouver, WA USA |
I had heard about the fantasy books by a friend when they first came out but didn't have the time to look into them. By the time the movie came out, I'd nearly forgotten about the book referral, but asked my hubby to take me as it looked like a good vampire romance flick. The scenery of the Pacific Northwest forests, rivers, and coastline was breathtaking and as a native to this area, it was like going out into my own backyard which made the film that more appealing. I was so captivated by the actors portrayal of the characters (the facial expressions and emotions brought out of the characters by Rob, Kristen, Peter, Nikki, and the rest were mesmerizing) and the depth of the back-story left me desiring more! The very next day after viewing the movie in the theater - I raced to the bookstore to grab the first book. I was hooked, read through all four books (plus went to the authors website to read the extra materials she had posted there) in a week. Then, still not satisfied, went back and saw the movie several more times - IN THE THEATER, something I've never felt compelled to do before - because I was so drawn to the characters and the story. This may have been written for the young adult audience but I'm 32 and a parent of four children, and still found the story to be well worth my time.
If you haven't read the stories, I encourage you to do so. Regardless, this film will be a treasured part of your movie collection and one you'll be sure to watch several times before you'll feel satisfied. |
Obsessing over Twilight and can't wait for the DVD!!
|
| Review Date: January 10, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Marcy Gomez, Kansas City, USA |
I came into the Twilight series not expecting much. The books were, after all, marketed to the teen crowd, so I originally dismissed it. I didn't expect much from the film. I wanted to see it not for the story, but because I knew Robert Pattinson from "Harry Potter" and enjoy the vampire book/movie genre.
4 books and 7 viewings later, I am happy to report that I am now a happily obsessed "Twilighter."
Going into the movie, I found myself hooked within the first 10 minutes. As soon as the Cullen siblings walked through the cafeteria door, I knew I was in for the ride. And by the time Edward and Bella were sitting together at the restaurant in Port Angeles, I was smitten. The love story, the beautiful vampires, and the amazing chemistry between leads Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, made this film - for me - utterly irresistible. I knew I wanted to see it again as soon as it was over, and the female relatives that I went to see it with couldn't agree more.
7 viewings later, I am still obsessed. Like "Titanic" and all the wonderful Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell tv/movie adaptations before it, I was enthralled by the love story of Edward and Bella. Edward Cullen, a 108 year old vampire trapped in the body of a 17 year old, falls in love for the first time...to a human - a young unsuspecting girl named Isabella Swan. Bella becomes equally fascinated by Edward, and this mutual fascination soon grows into yearning and love. Theirs is a Romeo & Juliet like love story but this time it's not a family feud that keeps them apart, but the fact that Edward is a vampire and Bella is a human - the predator and the prey fall in love (or as Edward puts it, "...and so the lion falls in love with the lamb"). Within the story are some other conflicts, as Edward and his family's true nature must remain a secret, and as other vampires threaten Bella's life.
Author Stephenie Meyer has crafted an irresistible tale, and screenwriter Rosenberg Melissa Rosenberg does a fine job of staying faithful with the novel. Some scenes and plotlines are changed around or omitted in order to make it work on film, but the essentials are there. Director Catherine Hardwicke does a superb job of bringing all the elements together and guiding her young cast through the journey, so I was saddened to hear that she will not be helming the sequel.
The major breakthroughs in this film, however, are the young and talented leads - Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. What started out as a small independent film has now become a worldwide phenomenon and has catapulted Rob and Kristen to the brink of superstardom. And this is no accident. The charismatic and versatile Robert Pattinson is brilliant as Edward. He properly conveys the internal conflict that rages within Edward and brings it out in full force. When he's onscreen, you couldn't take your eyes off him. His Edward can be gentle, loving and tender, but also fearsome and dangerous. Kristen Stewart brings a beautiful and nuanced performance. She is exactly how I pictured Bella and she does an excellent job of bringing the character to life. The supporting cast is also wonderful. Of the supporting roles, Billy Burke (Charlie Swan), Ashley Greene (Alice Cullen), Kellan Lutz (Emmett Cullen) and Peter Facinelli (Carlisle Cullen) are standouts. I think everyone - with the exception of Nikki Reed's Rosalie Hale/Cullen (who I feel just doesn`t fit Rosalie physically) - are perfectly cast.
I am also a fan of the soundtrack and Carter Burwell's amazing score, and I highly recommend purchasing these as a companion to the dvd. I am thrilled that the dvd is finally coming, and I although the final specs are not yet available, I hope that Summit Entertainment will release a dvd version filled with extras, deleted/extended scenes and behind-the-scenes footage. I'm a huge fan of the books and I feel that the cast and crew of Twilight has done an amazing job of bringing one of my favorite books to life. I'm looking forward to New Moon, and I hope that it will be as good as, if not better than, the first film. This film is a gem and one of my favorite love stories ever. Bella and Edward has joined the ranks of Elizabeth and Darcy, John Thornton and Margaret Hale, Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester, Cathy and Heathcliff, Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Bukater, and yes Romeo and Juliet, as two of my very favorite romantic couples that has ever graced the big and small screen.
|
Enjoy The Movie For What It Is..
|
| Review Date: November 5, 2009 |
| Reviewer: David Foughty, |
| Don't spend your time comparing it to the book. If you just sit there comparing the book and the movie, you'll take the fun out of the movie itself. If you are a book reader, reading Midnight Sun really helps understand Edward's reactions and such. This is the best movie I've seen that has stayed the closest to the book as much as it could. I do understand why they made a few changes to please some of the moviegoers who haven't read the book. It ties things in a different but acceptable way. I loved how they interpreted the book. I understand that it was a teen movie so of course there was a little cheesiness at times. But hey, the book is geared towards a teen audiences regardless of the wide age range that actually reads it. I think Summit did a good job and can't wait for New Moon. |
Absolutely Amazing
|
| Review Date: January 10, 2009 |
| Reviewer: L. Morrow, TN United States |
| This movie created a whole new obession that started with the books in the twilight series. It started with my 14 year old "teen" son saying I had to get a book for him. Well, that was a few weeks before the movie was released. As word traveled and the buzz about the upcoming movie approached. I read his book. I made it to the movie a few days after it was out. I loved it. But did not expect to see it again until it came out on DVD. Then I read the rest of the books in the twilight series. And somehow I was drawn back to the movie a week later. I felt like I was in Bella's head and needed to see the flick again. I left with more appreciation than the first time. I started to think more about the film and books. The love story alone makes you want more. When Edward says to Bella,"You don't know how long I have waited for you" your heart skips a beat and your body goes numb. I got the movie companion at a local store. I was surprised at the low budget. I also started to see "why" the director did what she did in the movie. Why the vampire's running or tree climbing wasn't the special effects we are used to in this day in age. I started to fall in love with the essence of the movie for what it really is. I am in a trance every time I see it. I am addicted to the characters, story line and every possible crumb of the twilight world. I have seen the movie for the 10th time tonight. Every time I see it, I am still amazed at the way Catherine has brought it to light. Yes, somethings are left out from the book. Yes, scenes are different than described in the book. However, the script has word for word from the book thoughout here and there. To take a book and make a movie on a limited time and budget, and capture the audience is a tall order. To deliver a movie that has already been perfected in a reader's mind is even more difficult. The movie follows the story line smoothly and is one of the best book to movie adaptions I have seen in a long time. I believe that Robert's acting was spellbinding. He is Edward Cullen. I am amazed how he embraced and captured the character of a 100 something year old vampire so realisticaly for a 22 year old young actor. His facial expression's alone express the emotion's that Edward has for Bella. You leave the theatre wanting more! To see the movie without reading the books may leave you with a limited vision of what is behind the story.But over all you should love the movie no matter what. The movie is my favorite and I am now a very twilight-addicted married mom of 3 boys. |
Lovely, incandescent, sensual and captivating!
|
| Review Date: January 9, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Snowbrocade, Santa Barbara, CA |
An unusual and lovely teen, Bella, reluctantly moves to live with her father in the misty, verdant forests of Washington State. Her first day of school goes well due to friendly classmates but then she encounters a young man, Edward, who glares at her with feral scorn--his black eyes sparkle with offense when she is near. She determines to confront his rudeness. But the next time she sees him he is oddly courteous and sincere. As they get to know one another Bella discovers that Edward has super strength and can even read minds. But when she is shocked by the icy cold of his hand she knows the truth. He is a vampire.
Edward's mystery, beauty and old-fashioned manners are irresistible to Bella. He makes a chivalrous attempt to stay away from Bella to protect her from the vampire world, but it is too late for both of them because are deeply in love. Bella and Edward have a forbidden love. They belong to warring families. Like Romeo and Juliet their passion is intensified by transgression against norms of their heritage. Bella is relieved to learn that the family of vampires Edward is a part of is unusual; they are "vegetarian" vampires, meaning they only drink the blood of animals.
Edward and Bella spend idyllic hours romancing in the mossy green redwood forests. Physical touching is almost impossible because Edward must continually fight against his fierce instinct to drink her human blood. But their hearts touch through their eyes. Edward's tender yet ardent courtship of Bella is poignant and tantalizing. Then Bella is threatened by becoming the target of a rogue predatory vampire. This predatory vampire is tantalized by the challenge of a battle of wits and skill against Edward and his family, who unite to protect Bella.
Meyer's brilliant Twilight series introduced a fresh new vampire world into the genre. And in the movie the freshness continues. Filmed in gorgeous redwood forests, it is startling to see vampires in the sunlit meadows yet seeing them in light does not make them less mysterious or menacing. The young actors in this film are well cast; beautiful but unusual. Their characters are not shallow teens; these are complex young adults that care deeply about their lives, friends and family. Bella, played with intensity and verisimilitude by lovely Kristen Stewart, is a worthy and courageous hero who does not hesitate to put her own life in danger to protect her mother and her father. Despite the fact that she is just a frail human she fights back against supernatural and human predators. Edward is equally interesting as he is physically seventeen but is much older in years. Yet Bella is his first love and he is terribly concerned that he will cause her harm. Oddly handsome Robert Pattinson plays Edward with magnetism and aching vulnerability. Kudos to the rest of the actors, particularly kind-faced Peter Facinelli as Carlyle, sensitive Billy Burke as Bella's father, captivating Justin Chon as Erik Yorkie, piquant Christian Serratos as Angela Weber, striking Gil Birmingham as Billy Black--I could go on and on the casting was excellent.
Brilliant director Catherine Hardwicke matched the beauty of the ancient forests with the emotional tone of the scenes with authority and confidence. Though I have not seen this director's other films I look forward to seeing her work.
Twilight the movie has had to make choices to adapt Meyer's huge novel to the screen yet no sacrifice of quality has been made. The movie sensitively portrays the thoughtful and passionate characters created by Meyer while it enthralls and entertains with its contemplative beauty. Vampires symbolize the primal drives in all of us but in Twilight we are introduced to vampires who choose to put aside these urgent desires to avoid harm. Tender love and care are portrayed as the greatest power of them all.
Seen it twice and can't wait to see it again. An enthusiastic five stars--Twilight deserves to be a smash hit! |
Amazon critic WAY off base
|
| Review Date: March 22, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Lynda, Los Angeles, CA |
| I just want to complain about the person who wrote the description/critique for Amazon. The person is so biased and ignorant of the allure of these books - this Twilight phenomenon. They aren't qualified to be writing the description. Of course they can dislike Twilight and its sequels if they choose -- but why in the world would they be chosen to write the blurb on the page where it sells? I'm not a kid -- no where NEAR that age -- and these books are as compelling to me as they are to my young daughter. There was humor in the movie for sure but certainly nothing "not" intentional. And to say the Edward Cullen role/actor is a simpering puppyish flaw played by Robert Pattinson: that's downright unbelievable. The writers mentality would surely have found the same silliness in the brooding angst of James Dean. It's no accident that Pattinson has become a world-wide star because of Twilight. He sizzles. I just think reviews for a best selling book should be written by people who understand what they're reading. |
Editorial Review of the Editorial Review
|
| Review Date: March 5, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Melodi, OK, USA |
I'd like to give an editorial review of the Amazon Editorial Review. Ouch! Could you be more negative and condescending towards Twilight fans in your "Review" of the movie, "Twilight?" What is up with that? Geez! May I suggest that you review the movie, not the caliber of people YOU think are "stupid" enough to enjoy it? (ie. "...teen girls whose idea of Prince Charming is a brooding, pale, undead teen who could kill you instantly at any moment.") How insulting, and it reveals you know nothing of the character who is Edward Cullen, nor much about teens.
BTW, the movie is awesome, and Robert Pattinson does a GREAT job throughout. |
Loosely based on the book, awesome in its own way...
|
| Review Date: March 9, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Katie14808, Saugus, Ma United States |
| I am a a huge fan (okay more like obsessed) of the Twilight Saga. So I was so excited to see this on the big screen. At first view, I was a little disappointed because its not like the book in many ways. I liked it, but I sat in the theater and verbalized my frustration with the differences while watching. After seeing it a second time, I decided I love Twilight the movie in a different way than I love the book. It kind of makes it a whole other way for me to love Twilight. I am so excited for New Moon and Eclipse to come out, and hopefully Breaking Dawn will soon follow as well on the big screen. I totally recommend this movie, but you need to read the books to get the whole picture because the books are amazing. This movie is loosely based on the book in my opinion, and does not do the book justice, but again, if you look at it as a different rendition of the book, its fantastic. They were spot on with the casting as well. Kudos on that factor! All in all, great book, great movie, but not a great movie if you are looking for it to be just like the experience the book gives you. Its a different experience entirely and I love both entirely. |
Leave the complaints about problems elsewhere and review the movie
|
| Review Date: March 25, 2009 |
| Reviewer: klj4ever, usa |
| This movie was epic. When you get a little older..of which I am 30 you think that movies made for a younger generation won't affect you. I was not expecting much from this movie but received alot. Even though I understood the premise there was so much more. The acting in this movie was superb and there are so many layers to the emotions being conveyed that it will take more than one viewing to get them. This movie was amazing and I would recommend to anyone. |
SURREAL....................
|
| Review Date: March 11, 2009 |
| Reviewer: T. Geer, Cincinnati, OH USA |
I was told about the books from a friend and have never read an entire book completely in my life, reading was never one of my qualities, therefore I showed no interest in picking them up. Then I seen the movie...
And my daughter was begining to show interest, all of her friends at school were reading the collection. I ended up borrowing the first book (Twilight) from a friend. My daughter read Twilight in 2days, she was so intrigued. I picked it up after she was finished... and from the first chapter, it was very hard to put down for any length of time, the story-line was amazing.
We now own all 4 books, my daughter has read them all twice and I am working on my second round.
I do not believe there is alot of comparrison between the book and the movie, they are so different from one another. Although I give them both the very best that I could. ***** And I would give them more.....
I would Love to thank Stephenie Meyer for bringing this saga into my life, (you brought something to me, I never imagined possible) my love for reading. And of course a love for a young vampire family. May forever be everything and more for this fictional family.
|
Love it even though I think it's corny!
|
| Review Date: March 26, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Hannelore Hauke, Pennsylvania |
So, I absolutely loved all four books. I even drug my now ex-boyfriend to see the movie with me in theaters. The lines that I loved from the book seemed corny and over acted in the movie, but I still love it and can't wait to see New Moon on the big screen.
As for those of you who complained, sorry, my code worked just fine and I watched it the same night I ordered it. Stinks for you! lol |
Love this film!!
|
| Review Date: April 4, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Laura K. Bjorklund, |
| I saw this movie in the theaters 6 times, and I love the DVD more. It has great special features. I really enjoy when some of the actors are involved in the audio commentary. I have watched it several times at home and enjoy it just as much as the first time I saw it. |
I Love it BUT........
|
| Review Date: April 5, 2009 |
| Reviewer: AW, |
I absolutely loved the Twilight movie however I did find some of the makeup very distracting. The overly white and very fake looking makeup coupled with the red lipstick on the vampires was laughably unrealistic. The makeup team didn't seem to be too concerned with consistency. In the restraunt dinner scene Edward had on no make up and looked perfectly believable as a vampire. Too bad they didn't just go with that idea all the way through the movie. In the kitchen scene where Bella first meets Esme, there is a very visible (natural skin colored) line on her (Esme's)face between where the white makeup stops and her hairline begins.
That aside the story itself was wonderful. I'm a sucker for vampire love stories and this was one of the best. I started reading the books after I saw the movie so I could be up on what was coming in the next film. I also wanted to see what was edited out of this film that so many others griped about. The books are long at around 500 pages each (average) and the movie was 2 hours. It was a given there would have to be some editing. I think they did a great job bringing the book to film. I am very much looking forward to the following films to come.
The soundtrack rocks too!!! Bella's Lullaby is absolutely hypnotic to me. Very beautiful piano composition. The soundtrack is part of what really gives the movie so much life. |
The Hero In Romance is Everything--Behold Pattinson's Edward
|
| Review Date: July 31, 2009 |
| Reviewer: carol irvin, United States |
I did not expect to like this movie. For one, I think vampire love stories have been overdone to death. Coppola's DRACULA, starring Gary Oldman, is one of my all time favorite movies and I really didn't need any pretenders to that throne. This was before I saw Edward as played by actor Robert Pattinson. In a nutshell, anyone who was ever a teenage girl will instantly grasp the appeal of this movie. There you are leading the typical angst ridden teenage life when in walks this gorgeous supernatural being who is totally in love with you. He lifts you out of your ordinary existence into an extraordinary one. He woos you in extraordinary ways too, even flying you around your Pacific Northwest territory and watching you sleep with adoration on his face. He never sleeps, of course. I would be surprised if men liked this movie. I think a guy would only watch it if his girlfriend insisted. He also has the considerable after viewing problem of measuring up to Edward/Pattinson, which will be pretty depressing. The special effects are nicely done. The female lead does a good job. The plot is good vampires vs bad vampires, aside from the love story that is. Absolutely no one would watch this movie though without Edward/Pattinson. I saw a recent poll on VANITY FAIR about the sexiest, most beautiful man in movies today. Robert Pattinson just routed every other man of any age in movies today in that poll. Everyone voted for him. Since every woman was once a teenage girl, that is all you need to be to fall in love with this movie. The last time I saw a video which had this kind of effect was when Colin Firth played Darcy in PRIDE & PREJUDICE. I am absolutely unsurprised TWILIGHT was directed by a woman, Catherine Hardwicke. Being a woman who was once a teenage girl, I am sure she knew exactly how to proceed with this material. I am tempted to give this less than 5 stars because I am rather ashamed I liked it this much. It is a big guilty pleasure movie for me. However, I then think, "Hey, I'm not a movie critic. I can really, really enjoy something without being all torn up over artistic merit." So the five stars stays. We all need our guilty pleasures.
|
Amazing book adaptation!
|
| Review Date: March 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Martina Radojevic, Pula, Croatia |
Let me start with saying that I'm madly obsessed with the whole Twilight saga. The books are really easy to read, and very interesting. It will keep you up at night, just to finish the chapter, believe me!
I'm also a huge film buff, so I have high expectations when it comes to book adaptations. This movie blew me away! I was really satisfied with the whole concept. The scenes and the setting were really visually accomplished, and the acting was brilliant! I know that a lot of the fans may not agree with me, but I think that Kristen is the perfect Bella for this role. There are some changed/added scenes that were not in the book, but I think it worked really well on the screen. Even Stephenie Meyer herself agreed on that.
Now, let me focus on the DVD release. This edition has two DVDs, which is great for all the fans who really liked the movie. On the first disc you'll find the feature film, and some extended scenes (which are awesome!). I will not reveal anything in this review, because of the spoilers. You'll also find music videos for Muse's Supermassive Black Hole, Paramore's Decode and Linkin Park's Leave Out All The Rest. Supermassive Black Hole and Leave Out All The Rest music videos are live versions of the songs (from Muse's HAARP Tour - Live At The Wembley Stadium and Linkin Park's Projekt Revolution Tour - Live At The Milton Keynes - and you can find both of the tours on DVD!
On the second disc you get to see seven-part documentary about the filming process, and you also have the deleted scenes! There's also a featurette about the Comic-Con convention.
To end up, I'm giving this DVD a strong 5/5! It's really great and you'll see lots of interesting stuff! |
amazing
|
| Review Date: January 9, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Sheila M. Wurtzberger, Sleepy Eye, MN United States |
| I went out and bought books 1 & 2 about a week before the movie came out because I wanted to see what all the hype was about. I finished those 2 books in 3 days and had to go back to the store to buy the other 2. Then I went to see the movie the day after it came out and I was awesomely impressed!!! I loved it...I was expecting it to be more like the book but it was still a fantastic movie and to date I have seen it 8 times and read the books 3 times in the last 2 months. I highly recommend this book and I am a 37 year old adult with 3 children. Even if you don't have kids at the tween age group you will find this movie a nice break from all the horror movies that have been coming out lately. |
I'm 42, my husband is 50 and we both love this movie
|
| Review Date: November 3, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Janice S. Wilcox, Auburn, MI United States |
| I read the review the previous "wanna be" professional critic wrote and it's a bunch of BS. This is by far a one of the best movies made. Can't wait for New Moon. I've never read the books and I'm not a teenager. This isn't theater, it's entertainment. If you want theater, go to broadway. As for entertainment, it was great. I think most of the nation will agree with me. I've pretty much learned what the critics love, sucks. I mean really, how many awards did the movie "Sideways" win? My husband and I watched it and ended up turning it off, it was by far one of the worst, most depressing, boring movies I've ever seen! I've learned if the critics hate it, I'll love it and vice versa. You won't regret seeing this movie, it's awesome. |
Wonderful Books/ Wonderful Film
|
| Review Date: January 11, 2009 |
| Reviewer: CJ Black, Oklahoma City, OK USA |
I had no intention of reading these books, until my daughter read the first one. She was hooked and begged to go see the movie for her birthday. I decided I should read the book before making a decision. I was hooked from the moment I started Twilight. Within 4 days I had all 4 books read. I have now read them 3 times. : ) It is a great story, with good values and really does address things that both teen girls and their mothers can relate too.
The movie is adorable! Very tastefully done and, while it does not completely stick to the book, does a good job of telling the story without making HUGE changes. My daughter and I saw it for the third time just last night.
For the record: I am a 31 yr old mother of 3. |
I saw the movie first and fell in love....
|
| Review Date: January 20, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Betty, Miami, Fl. USA |
| One of my friends was trying to get me to read the books for months before the movie came out. But I refused to get sucked into another series again! But I saw the movie and loved it, so of course I had to get the book. Luckily I got it for the holidays and dug right into it. Of course the movies are never exactly like the book but I thought they did a wonderful job. Needless to say, I went and saw it again after reading the book. I have read New Moon and just started Eclipse. And I looking forward to reading the rest of the series. And I can't wait for Twilight to come out on DVD so I can own it and watch it at home with the extras of course. And I will be anxiously awaiting along with all of the Twilighters out there the release of the New Moon movie in November of 2009. Team Edward! |
Great Story
|
| Review Date: January 24, 2009 |
| Reviewer: jade22192, Woodbridge, VA U.S.A. |
I saw this in the theater having never read any of the books, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I hope that the studios are smart enough to use the same director, cast and crew for New Moon.
I loved everything about the movie from the story, acting, lighting, direction - the whole package.
Twilight is a story about a Bella, a teenager from a broken home, falling for Edward, a boy who seems to not be able to stand her. She comes to find out that he is just fighting back the immense attraction he feels toward her because he comes from a different world than her. The line, "So the lion fell in love with the lamb. What a stupid lamb. What a sick, masochistic lion."
Each character was well rounded and had his or her own voice and personality. My favorite ones were Alice and Jasper Cullen.
The chemistry between all of the actors/characters is terrific, and the use of that chemistry instead of forced sexuality and tasteless nudity is refreshing. The violence is mostly implied and is not in-your-face. It's just a terrific movie, and was so well done that I was able to take my kids to see it without a second thought.
I would recommend this movie to anyone who likes thrillers, suspense and romance. Keep your eyes open for the baseball scene - it's fun. |
|
No details are available for this product
No video reviews found for this product.
