Cast: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Billy Burke, Ashley Greene, Peter Pacinelli; Director: Catherine Hardwicke; Producers: Wyck Godfrey, Greg Mooradian, Mark Morgan; Screenwriters: Melissa Rosenberg, Stephenie Meyer; Music: Carter Burwell; Editor: Nancy Richardson; Genre: Drama/ Fantasy/ Romance/ Thriller; Cinematography: Elliot Davis; Distributor: Viva Films; Location: Washington, USA; Running Time: 122 min.;Technical Assessment: 3
Moral Assessment: 3
CINEMA Rating: For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance
Twilight is a movie adaptation from Stephanie Meyer’s series. After 17-year-old Bella Swan’s (Kristen Stewart) mother remarries, she is sent off to live with her father Charlie (Billy Burke) in the small town of Forks Washington. She becomes attracted to a mysterious classmate Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), who is actually a 108-year-old vampire resembling a teenager. Edward’s genteel and gracious ways endear him all the more to Bella and despite trying to resist the mutual attraction. The two teenagers fall deeply in love with each other. The Cullen family’s loyalty and ethics are put to test when the nomadic vampires arrive and endanger the life of Bella.
Most movie adaptations of great novels end up disappointing and wanting. This movie is no different with interpretation of Edward and Bella’s characters lacking in depth and the struggle of the Cullen family to co-exist with the humans downplayed. However, as a romantic fantasy for teenagers, the movie succeeds in connecting with the target viewers and eliciting enough sympathy and fondness. The production is decent with an imaginative camerawork, tight editing and impressive CGIs. The production design and the music successfully deliver the Gothic romance it intends. Overall, the movie is quite enjoyable and respectably moving.
One’s background does not necessarily spell the kind of person he is to become. The Cullens are vampires and by nature they are violent, blood-thirsty and heartless but instead, they are doing their very best to be decent, loving, and caring as is humanly possible. In the same manner, regardless of one’s root, family history, psychological background and personal past, the kind of person one will turn out to be depends on himself and his desire to choose what is good and right as opposed to what is expected by society.
The movie, though not objectionable, has several short but intense action violence, mild sensuality and some sexual references, and may not be acceptable for younger teens. Young audiences need to be guided by their parents as some scenes and dialogues are not appropriate for them.
