If you’re a die-hard Twilighter, you already knew what New Moon has to offer the world. Another major Twilight character, Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), is about to dominate the second installation of the saga and mostly likely give Edward Cullen (Rob Pattinson) real competition. And with a new director taking over, and probably a budget that’s enough to cover vampire make-up and appetite suppressant for a constipated-looking Jasper, expect that this one is going to be quite different from the first one. It seems like New Moon the movie will stay faithful to its book version minus the cheese.
After getting visually bombarded by huge Twilight movie billboards for weeks, I have finally set out to see it myself and find what the whole frenzy is about. Greenbelt cinemas were packed on a Friday night, even the midnight slots were already booked. We’re lucky to have secured movie passes at Glorietta for the 11pm screening.
I consider myself a Twilight virgin. I have never lifted a single page of the Stephanie Meyer series. Imagine how surprised I was to find throngs of people enduring long lines to get through the cinemas. I can only remember four movies where I literally had to use some sort of a battle plan to get ahead the mad flock. Twilight becomes the unexpected fifth.
Edward Cullen and Bella Swan sent sparks flying
The good thing about not having read the book is placing not much expectations on the movie version. I just wanted a nice movie to watch and a vampire story happens to be it. I didn’t come out sourgraping for missed out book scenes. Just a bit disappointed though that the movie could have been twice better in the special effects department. It also somehow failed to build heart-pumping scenes and lack not-knowing-what-happens-next type of conflict. The movie is quite predictable.
What saved Twilight is the cast headed by Robert Pattinson (Edward Cullen) and Kristen Stewart (Bella Swan). Pattinson, who also played Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, fits the role of a mysterious head-turner 17-year-old vampire. Many girls can relate to Stewart’s unassuming character Bella. There was chemistry on screen as their characters were slowly built up. I also find their dialogues for a typical vampire movie sharp and witty – “I had an adrenaline rush. It’s very common. You can Google it.”
Despite some flaws, Twilight the movie is a monstrous success. Their book series were sold like hot pancakes and infused life to bleak online trading and selling as the holidays draw near.
And Pattinson has just given Stephanie Meyer’s character a face every girl on the planet has fallen in love with.
