Staring Into Twilight

So I just watched Twilight (the movie) for the first time yesterday, and I have a lot of opinions on it. If you haven't read it or seen the film, don't bother reading this post: it will be just a bunch of rambling observations. I was pleasantly surprised at how hot Robert Pattinson was in the movie. I hated the posters--quite frankly, they were a turn-off. But in the film, he looked really good--see below. I watched the movie a second time with the commentary, and I loved Rob's self-deprecating comments. He thinks he has effeminate hands (although he really played the piano--love that!), a flat face and a 'butt-chin.' He was also hoping they could have given him a CGI six-pack. Too funny. He was definitely the best part of the whole experience. I was a little disappointed in the clothing. The Cullens are supposed to be rich, but Edward just wore t-shirts the whole time. Bella's skinny jeans weren't great, and Rosalie's wig was terrible. Speaking of Rosalie, I think they could have gone to Provo (I'm sure there are plenty of Twilight fans in Happy Valley, considering that Stephenie Meyer is a BYU graduate) and found someone a lot prettier, who probably would have worked for free. Rosalie is supposed to be stunning, and she wasn't even really attractive. Carlisle was okay in looks, but we didn't get any of his back-story, how the family came together, or even why they are "vegetarians." I hope the director of New Moon stays a little more true to the book. I know they had to cut out a lot of details to get the story into two hours, but they took many of the endearing tidbits that made me like the characters. In the movie, Bella is pretty morose the whole time, even when she and Edward are together. I think they Kristen Stewart did a good job as Bella, but she didn't do any cooking (what's with the diner? Seriously?), we didn't see her reading, and her clumsiness is really downplayed. You don't get to hear her quirky little observations on people and places, and there isn't a lot of the funny bantering and teasing between Edward and Bella. After like two days of Biology class and one quasi-date, they are "in love." A huge part of the story is how they come together, and realize how strongly they feel about each other, and I just didn't get that from the movie. Some people didn't like Taylor Lautner as Jacob. I did--he's a cutie. I'm excited for the next one, where he has a much bigger role. I have been on 'Team Jacob' for a while, although Rob may have changed my mind a bit. :o) I thought the special effects were really cheesy. I wasn't a huge fan of the monkey business (tree climbing) and the skin/sunlight thing was terrible! I laughed out loud! I think it would have been much more effective with make-up and lighting. And the meadow scene just didn't do it for me. That's the pivotal point in the whole story--it's where it all began in Stephenie's brain, and it just wasn't as beautiful as I had imagined. I didn't like the Cullen's house in the movie. It just didn't do it for me. And prom was supposed to be cheesy, in the school gym with crepe paper and balloons, not 'Monte Carlo.' Where did that come from? I wish they had given Alice a bigger part, and that we could have seen how strong and elegant and fast the vampires are supposed to be. Enough ranting; it's just a movie. I'll probably buy it eventually; even if it isn't as good as the book.