Number One Rule: Never EVER go into a movie adapted from a book expecting the same quality.
It just sets you up for a world of disappointment. Words read from the pages of a novel are free to be molded into the reader's vision, limited only by the constraints of his or her imagination. It is only a given that the director's vision would differ from yours.
I have been able to follow that fairly consistently, and have emerged from the finishing credits satisfied...as is the case with the much-hyped Twilight. L, D, and I went with the H's to the first showing Saturday morning to avoid the majority of the screaming teenage crowds. As usual, I came out of there with a content smile on my face.
I got into the series after purchasing the first three novels and devouring them back to back when L left for the sandbox last year. Back then, I was completely unaware of the hype it has stirred up. And to tell you the truth, because the plot revolved around a high school girl, I was a bit reluctant to share my enthusiasm with the grown-ups. Not until I discovered the whole circle was actually on the same page did I realize the extent if this series' success.
Back to the movie, I liked it a lot. Bella was as clumsy as I imagined her to be. Jasper, a little too deer-in-the-headlights slash creepy for me. Rosalie, the blond, had a bit too much Puerto Rican J.Lo to her ass. Edward, as angst-ridden as I had expected although I wish he didn't widen his eyes so much. And I do agree with most...I wanted to, more than anything else, slather some hot Nad's on that chest of his and rip all that hair off.
Other than those and a few minor items, the movie was faithful to the novel, even reciting dialogue from the book verbatim. I appreciated the organic nature of the special effects. I liked the comic relief. I especially liked Charlie's demeanor. I want to go and see it again. More so, I can't wait to see Eclipse, the third installment. I am not too much of a fan of New Moon (sorry Team Jacob). And I'm hoping the studio exercises their creative license and expand on the battle that never was in Breaking Dawn.
4 out of 5. Thumbs Up.
