So, ya, I’m a total fan girl. I’ve read all the Twilight books. So, of course, I was at the midnight showing of Twilight last night–all amped up and ready to be entertained. Instead of entertainment, I got the most overwhelming feeling of disappointment ever experienced from a book-turned-movie. What a disaster this movie was! I don’t know how a movie could miss the mark on so many levels. I left the theater in complete and utter disbelief.
I know there is usually some disappointment associated with seeing a movie made from your favorite book; but, that kind of disappointment is usually because they left out some of your favorite parts or just kinda had a character a bit off from how you imagined him or her. But, this movie, it failed on EVERYTHING…the ultimate in failure. I’m sorry, but I’m not exaggerating.
If you have not seen Twilight yet, please DO NOT see this movie! Just read the book! This movie literally played out like a made-for-TV special. The dialogue was horrible, the music was atrocious, the photography was horrid, the effects were unrelentingly disappointing. Sparkling vampire–ah, more like sweating vampire. The sparkle effect probably had to be the most disappointing aspect of the not-so-special effects.
You know a movie is bad when you’re noticing the music and saying to yourself, ‘What is this?’ The music did not fit the feel of any of the scenes. The filming/photography could only be defined as amateur at best–felt like a film student’s project, or like I said before, a made-for-TV movie. BAD BAD BAD!
I know I might get a lot of criticism from other fan girls out there, but anyone who happened to be at The Bridge Theater in LA last night will know exactly what I’m talking about: the crowd was all excited, screaming out, “Edward, I love you!” or “Team Jacob!”… even a dude shouted, “Team Bella!” Then, as the movie plodded along, the excitement slowed, and slowed, and slowed…and then literally crawled to a pathetic ending with absolutely no response from the audience.
I’m telling you– I am (unfortunately) NOT exaggerating. You know how if you see a Star Trek or Potter film, the crowd usually applauds and gets a little energized at the end? All still excited to have been a part of the premiere movie-going excitement and energy? This film? Not one clap from the audience–it was almost as if we were all sitting there stunned; just sat there in complete silence. And not because it was an impactful ending or anything like that. It was more like we were just sitting there thinking, ‘What? … Did the movie just end?’ — in that moment, I know, we were feeling so cheated.
The disappointment was like nothing I have ever seen in a movie theater before. We just sat through 2 1/2 hours, at a midnight showing, of a really bad NBC or ABC Family Special and these horrible movie makers really really duped us, trying to pass this off as a real movie. Boy, were we dumb to get caught up in the Twilight movie frenzy. And how awful were they to let us down so blatantly? I think they knew it was this bad and that’s why they put so much effort and money into the marketing–get people to pre-buy their tix, cuz once the word is out on the steet, it’s gonna be bad.
It’s too late for me, but maybe not for you–if you haven’t read the book, please please please don’t see this movie–it’ll only turn you off. And, if you have read the book, I know that you’ll likely still see the movie because you’re curiosity and hope will drive you to, but I’d be shocked if you actually reported back that you liked it.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:35 pm
My friends who saw the movie would totally agree…luckily I haven’t wasted my money on it. 11 theaters full cheering the moment it started to leaving with no excitement.
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:32 pm
so wrong . my friend saw the movie she said it was awesome
my aunt also saw it with her friends and she loved itt
i havent seen it yet but no matter what people tell me
ima go to the movies with my friends and watch that movie
November 22nd, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Mz. Murder — of course go see it.. even if I read all the bad reviews, I’d still see it too cuz I’m such a huge fan of the books (I prob shouldn’t have said in my post “don’t go see this movie”…. hope you find the movie better than I did, but honestly, if you compare the quality of a Harry Potter film to this, well….
November 22nd, 2008 at 10:20 pm
I have never read the books. I saw the movie yesterday and I now want to read the books. I LOVED it. My friend is going to let me borrow the whole series. I would recommend going to see it. I want the next book to be made into a movie like now so i can go watch it. (I don’t like reading). I am actually even going to take one of my other friends to go see it. =)
November 23rd, 2008 at 11:23 am
I have never read the books, but my girlfriend loves them so she dragged me along to the movie, and i was fighting the whole way. In short, she ending up falling asleep and i was wide awake until 4 a.m. It’s dissappointing that movies can’t include all the parts of the book, but unless you wanted to sit there until midnight the next night that would be impossible. My point being I loved this movie simply because my senior year in high school, last year, we were required to read the book Dracula and it blew my mind. Most of the attributes of a vampire were captured just as well in the movie as the book Dracula, no mater how subtle. There obviously could have been better special effects, but I feel that is outweighed on the balance beem vs. the overall plot.
November 23rd, 2008 at 3:29 pm
What is wrong with you? You have issues movies are not suppose to be all about special effects. You think you can even direct a movie? Dont complain and ruin movies for others, i happen to like this movie and i never read the books. Yes your opinion is important… TO YOU! No need to go and write an entire essay on your high expectations and needs and why the movie didnt meet them. I hate people like you who sit in a corner all night and list everything that went wrong because you were not satisfied. What did you expect on a low budget movie. Get a life please and thank you!
November 24th, 2008 at 10:06 am
lol. VERY brave taking on the Twilight-loonies. I understand your disappointment with the movie. Honestly, I went in with the LOWEST expectations ever. The trailers were terrible, Bella annoyed the sh#$*# out of me, Robert Pattinson always looks like he’s homeless in real life, and the movie had the tiniest budget ever. This movie was in production before the books really just exploded, so I think it didn’t get as much attention as it would have if it went into production say, now. Maybe they’ll take some of that 70 million they made this weekend and put some actual effort into the second movie.
AND THE SPECIAL EFFECTS WERE AWFUL. Please, no more flying vampires. I beg of you.
November 24th, 2008 at 11:29 am
omg that movie sucked it was a chick flick my girlfriend got me to see it cause she said it was like blade, boy was i in for a surprise. it was treible, an the people in the movie had the nerve to clap after it was done. dont waste ur time or money guys it not worth it at all
November 24th, 2008 at 11:46 am
THE MOVIE WAS WACK TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY
November 24th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
AJ: Totally agree w/ you… I didn’t know all the background on the production and such, so makes more sense that it felt like a made-for TV movie since it had no budget… I do hope the 2nd movie gets A LOT more $$ and attention. (& ya, the “flying” vampire scenes were hard to swallow) :)
November 24th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
OK so i have to agree completely in full with Syndeee. This had to be the worst movie i have seen in a very long time, no joke. I saw with my girlfriend and we are both big Twilight fans (books not movie of course) and while i said it was horrible she said it had its moments. I had to agree with her there. When Bella walked down the stairs with a single Converse on, it was probably the highlight of the movie for me. That and the dress she was in would have been perfect but they had to put her in leggings, ewwwwwwww.
So going back to what i was originally talking about, Twilight was HORRIBLE. If you’ve read the books don’t go see the movie, if you haven’t read the books then you might like it a little bit more.
Yours Truly,
DisappointedTwilightFan
November 24th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
my girlfriend made me go see it…..and i actually liked it, one of the better movies i’ve seen in awhile
November 24th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
aw come on people :) You can’t go into a movie that was based upon a fantastic series of books and expect it to be 100% perfect. Hollywood always changes stuff around for some reason… I’ve read the books multiple times and I loved the movie- of course there were parts that got edited out, or changed a bit, but over all I think Rob and Kristen had great chemistry and the sexual tension was spot on. Remember it was only made with 37 million dollars, the next movie will have a huge budget based on fan turnout at this movie, so keep the faith, I’m sure the next one will be more up to Twilighter standards.
November 26th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
That was the best movie I have ever seen! Idk why everyone says it was so bad it was just like the book.
November 28th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
if you just take it as a movie, it’s actually pretty nice.
Don’t compare it to the book ’cause movies based on books usually don’t come out as good as the book.
November 29th, 2008 at 1:07 am
OK people, lets be honest, this movie SUCKED.Yes i am a guy who prefers vampires that burst into flame when in the sun, instead of sparkling, and i prefer lots more action, but this movie was just horrible. The special effects, which could,ve saved this movie from all its other downfalls, was atrocious. And to make things worse, the dialogue was bad.
i know quite a bit about the story from my girlfriend who dragged me to this movie, and i have to say, some things should never be said aloud. Those line may have sounded good when you read them on paper, but spoken aloud, i laughed my butt off. The sparkling really got me since it looked like someone had bedazzled his face. They crammed too much into the 2 and 1/2 hours they had and made the film so rushed, you couldn’t be pulled into the story. The best part by far was the fight scene at the end. i could really feel the rage and sadness there, but everywhere else was just awkward. I mean seriously, how many times can the screen zoom in on his eyes? i know that was a big part of the book, but jeeze, that was ridiculous. My girlfriend, who cried all through the books, was laughing more than i was.
So the best advice i have is 1) dont pay to see it, or 2) have really low standards going into the theater, and i mean REAL low. that’s the only way you wont be disappointed by this poor effort at a book turned movie.
November 30th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
i disagree this movie is amazing i have already seen in twice in theatres and might be going again next weekend and also all my friends loved it so you have no good taste in movies
December 1st, 2008 at 12:13 pm
did you actually watch the movie, or were you one of the 500 twelve year olds who just giggled every time they showed Edward’s eyes? This movie sucked.
December 1st, 2008 at 9:15 pm
i totally agree with you!:)
the movie was very disappointing..
December 2nd, 2008 at 11:14 am
oooh i was so disappointed when i saw this movie… =( i totally agree
December 5th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
This has been done to death. It happened in the 90’s w/ the Anne Rice books, then it was Harry Potter. People have got to get it through their head that a movie cannot ever bring them as much joy and satisfaction as the book can. Go see a movie with an open mind and don’t compare and constrast. Just enjoy the movie or stay at home and read the book again.
December 11th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
i LOVED the movie. i’ve seen it 6 times so far.
i guess people have their own opinions but i mean think about it, they had all the key points in there
plus, how else are you supposed to translate a 500+ page book into a 2 hour movie?
i’d like to see you do better.
December 11th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Yeah I Read All The Books.
My Friends Saw The Movie Without Me And Yeahh They Said It Was Awesome.
Then One Of My Friends Started Reading The Book Twilight The One With The Movie Cover As A Book Cover.
I Was Looking At It And Stuff To See If It Was Different To The Original Book.
It Was Different Like At The End Of The Page Of That Book Than The Original Book.
Soo Im Deciding Not To See The Movie.
People Who Saw The Movie And Didn’t Read The Book Are Really Posers.
[No Offence]
December 15th, 2008 at 8:02 am
The actors in real life are so perfect- why couldnt they translate that to the screen? Edward never smiled or laughed- so frustrating! I felt like I could picture the director telling them exactly what to do or what not to do. And the music ruined it!!!!
December 17th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
I’ve read the entire series multiple times, and I counted down for the movie.
Talk about becoming unnerved. I feel that what really killed the movie was that you couldn’t really feel the love between Edward and Bella. I mean, in the books, they’re so desperately in love, and adore eachother. Here… it was like “Hey, yo, I like you. Let’s hook up. By the way, I’m a vampire.”
Luckily, New Moon will begin production with a new director… but I have a feeling they’re going to have to win me over before I spend the $9 and beg the boyfriend to go with me again.
December 18th, 2008 at 4:51 am
I don’t think it was a disappointing at alll. The music was amazing and created a suspensful atmosphere. The acting on all parts was on key. Kristen Stewart played Bella probably the best anyone could. Very awkward, just like in the books. Robert Pattinson, I mean, come on, perfect. I was not disappointed at all when I left the theater, in fact, I went back the same day and saw it again. And then 5 more times. It was nothing short of amazing. And anyone who thinks less is completely absorbed by the books. Of course not everything will be perfect, but the director did a good job with the abstract camera angles. It was a very different experience than any other movie out there. I can’t wait to see New Moon. The new director is EVEN better. BTW I really hope they replace Taylor with that Nolan guy. =D
December 19th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
are u on drugs?
it is really good!!!
December 19th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
I’m sorry, But I saw the movie and I thought they did a good job with the money they had. I think there was so much pressure on all the actors and the director Cathrine Hardewick, but I think they all lived up to the hype or the twilight obsessed teenagers. I think that people should really cut this movie a break, I found it quite enjoyable. Sure they left things out and changed things around but the story and Edward and Bella’s unconditional love was still there. I think it’s a nice alternative to the book, I think it gives that other perspective to it. But from the beginning it was said that the movie is based on the book, not a movie on the book, I think that’s a key point people need to remember to avoid all this disappointment. I don’t understand why people like you get on the internet and Bitch about a movie and all the problems with it. Venting all your feelings out here on the internet isn’t going to change how the movie is, and I don’t think it’s in your place to tell people whether they should see the movie or not. People just need to clear their minds or all the previous expectations and just see the movie for what it is. If you don’t enjoy it then so be it, but I don’t think sitting here on the internet complaining about something that is out of your control is very productive.
December 19th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I liked the movie and actually want to see it again. Although I think they could’ve done better, it was okay. Now as for this person saying there was no applause or cheer. There was so much cheers when i watched it in theater it was kind of annoying. They cheered in the begining and when edward came in and during the kissing scene.
My cousin who wasn’t even a Twilight fan, who knew absolutely nothing about the story came out saying she liked it better than Harry Potter. And she was a big Harry potter Movie fan (she never read the books). Though I think moviewise Harry Potter is better(they had better effects etc.) THen she came to me and ask to read Twilight. And honestly I don’t think she would read it if she didn’t see the movie. But if you consider the budget and time the had I’d say they did good. Cause Honestly when I found out they were coming out with twilight with less than a Year of Filming and or forth. I thought that was too fast.
But I suppose it comes down to matter of Opinion. People Loved it and People hated it. I know a few Harry Potter fans who HATE the movies and never want to see them.
December 19th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Well, hey, maybe that’s your opinion, but at the cinema I was in everyone was going crazy for it the whole time. Everyone went ballistic at the end. And me? I thought it was incredible.
December 20th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
hey! well i love the books but the movie was not that good but not that bad either, what else can you expect from a 37 million budget, but a lot of people have mixed feelings about it, i have two friends that hadn’t read the books and after they saw the movie they went straight to a book store and bought the whole series…
my thoughts like i said before is that its not that bad but i didn’t love it either.. hopefully new moon will be better now that they will have a bigger budget and new director…
December 20th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I wish I could disagree, but unfortunately I can’t.
Twilight’s “premiere” here in Brazil was just yesterday (friday) and I was really excited to finally see the movie – after all the fuss everyone was making, I was really keeping my hopes up. When I was inside the theater, everyone in there was already screaming and everything, and until the beginning of the movie, all the girls kept yelling stuff like “BITE ME, EDWARD” or just shouting their heads off whenever Robert came up on the screen. They were even screaming when Peter first appeared, and he looked really creepy as Carlisle – too white, I reckon. But I enjoyed his acting. Anyway, by the end of the movie, no one clapped. No one screamed. It was ridiculous! The girls only screamed again at the kiss scene, but only because some chick yelled “I thought he’d told you NOT to move!” and then everyone laughed. But that was about IT.
The only thing I really enjoyed was the baseball game scene, but only when the Cullens were playing it. I thought Jackson and especially Kellan did an AMAZING job, like, for real! My mom (she also read the book and went to watch the movie with me) even whispered to me: “I think that guy” (and pointed at Kellan) “should’ve been Edward.” But I reckon my mom’s a bit mental – she didn’t find Robert as handsome as every girl does, and thought Kellan was much prettier. But both of their actings were good – Kellan’s was better, I thought. Billy Burke’s and Mike Welch’s were both really cool, too. Kristen’s was horrible, though. I think I like Mike Newton better than Bella Swan now, thanks to Kristen! And I hated Newton before. Cheers, Stewart!
The thing is: THE MOVIE SUCKED. There, I said it. There were some good stuff, but most of scenes were off. They just weren’t right! I hope they can get it right now with the new director. I don’t want to be disrespectful to Catherine Hardwicke, I thought she was doing this amazing job, but clearly, she wasn’t. The fans were just making all that fuss mainly because of Robert. So I’m hoping Summit won’t replace Taylor Lautner for that stupid Michael Copon dude and that new director, Chris Weitz (is that it?) does a better job than Catherine’s. I hope they don’t ruin New Moon for us as well.
No offense, though, but she just ruined my whole excitement for the movies!
December 20th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
My previous comment was huge, but I just have to add this:
SUMMIT SHOULD GET HARRY POTTER’S DIRECTOR! He did a hell of a job with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and I know the Half-Blood Prince will come out even better. Maybe Twilight wouldn’t've sucked so badly if he was the one directing it. Sorry Catherine!
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:58 am
I have never read the books, and i only know a little about the story from my friends, but this movie was a huge disappointment. I though the movie would encourage me to read the books, but all it did was turn me away from the whole series. They will make another movie simply because so many people went to see this, and no that doesnt mean its good. I mean come on… tot he people who saw it five times, or to the person who saw it twice in one day… Are you brain dead, cause that is the only way i would watch that movie again. I understand it had a low budget, but thats no excuse for it sucking that bad. It only made money because most 13 year old girls wouldn’t know a good movie if it bit them in the ass.
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Ugh! Twilight was such a failure on so many levels! I agree, it was very very disappointing. Edward in the movie was not very smooth and angel like at all. He seemed just plain awkward. And Bella, she’s supposed to be confident, maternal, don’t show sign of weakness… but in the movie she just seems scared 24/7. You don’t even get to see Alice play much of a role at all, when in the book she does play a big part. If I hadn’t read the books, I wouldn’t understand why Bella and Edward even had a connection. The movie was just horrible, with no chemistry between the characters. I don’t know what went wrong, but something did and it went way off the deep end. Personally, I think they should chalk this up to a Epic Failure, but than try to prove themselves. I know Stephenie Meyer won’t finish Midnight Sun, but maybe she could write a screenplay for it, and then have it made into a movie that will be a redo of Twilight from Edward’s point of view. I don’t know, but somehow this needs to be made up somewhere, because the disappointment was just too much from watching Twilight. But at least Charlie was funny :)
December 25th, 2008 at 10:25 am
I thought the movie was pretty good and I have seen it 3 times already. You have to remember they didnt have a big budget for the movie. I think New Moon is going to be better because they are gonna have more money and they are listening to the fans. Plus think about the book…its over 500 pgs how can u put that into 2 hours. I agree some parts of the movie didnt makes sense only because there are parts of the book I think should have been in the movie. For example, the field trip could have been taken out and replaced with where she almost passes out in Biology.
Really, we dont need a full review about how bad the movie is …you didnt like so move on. A true fan would realize that the book is always better than the movie…go home and read your book again. I was there at midnight and had a blast so please dont ruin my moment for me. The movie is doing well at the box office :)
December 26th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
you people are crazy the movie was aaamaazzzing!!!
dont tell people not to go see it, let them figure out on their own that it is great!
and all you people who said it sucked will go buy the movie and watch it when no ones home, dont lie to yourself because you love it!
December 29th, 2008 at 8:09 am
book is always better than the movie. but, this is just the first movie!
i think the second one is going to be better.
and since, the director of twilight is replaced by Weitz. I think it will be hyped too. And yeah, Hardwicke is better in directing an indie film.
honestly, when i saw this movie with my friend from norway who had no idea or anything about twilight, she was like.. “this is the most awesome indie movie i have seen.”
December 29th, 2008 at 11:09 am
im REALLY disappointed with d movie but on d other side i like it.. i dunno why..
i’ve seen it 3 times..
i noe its not as good as d book,,even waaaayy 2 different.. many scenes r cut n d chemistry btween Bella n Edward wasn’t shown really clearly in d movie,,while in d book we knew that their relationship was …. (u noe..)
but d movie’s juz………..
*i cant even describe d feeling that made me watched it until 3 times*
January 12th, 2009 at 7:37 am
OMG. i totally get you. i was soo hyped to watch it. but i left the cinema soo confused! the movie was made waay bigger than it actually is. soo i thought it would atleast be an ‘okay’ movie. but i ended up not knowing if i liked it or not. i wanted to like it cz i absolutely love the cast and the books are amaaazing! but then i realised that i actually didnt like it at all! yeaah there were some good bits, but where was the whole point of twilight? the beginning was soo slow, the middle was boring and crammed in and the end all happened so fast that you wonder woaah. what just happened? how and why’s bella already in the ballet studio?
okaay so ive been comparing the movie to the book. but honestly, as a movie itself, its soo bad. its extremely badly directed and tbh the acting kind of sucked. compared to kristen’s other films, she didnt handle any of the emotions well. and the lab scene with rob? HHAHHHA. edward cullen is meant to be beautiful and the weird faced-spasm attack did not go well with that description! i’m soo glad new moon has another director. :) hopefully the next movie will actually be a good one.
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Ok so the movie wasnt all ppl expected it to be. I read the book after the movie came out, but i wanted to read the book first and THEN go see the movie. I actually kinda **Big Kinda** liked the movie. Roberts a smexi beast, and Kristen played a good Bella **Somewhat…** but I really didnt like how they like rushed Bella and Edwards realtionship. I mean one mintue its “We sudnt b friends” then its “Well im nt scared of u” and then BOOM outta nowhere “bella ur my life nw” Ummmm….. Where did that come ffrom? I didnt understand when they went in the woods. Like, did u jus decide one day, “Hey….those trees luk nice, maybe i sud go der and hope that edward will follow so i cn tell him my theory…??”
Honestly the movie was that bad, or that great…it was ok. I luved it, but i just thought that Bella and Edwards realtionship suda took some time cuz it jas happened outta nowhere that they were connected. Oh yea…and that face thing when edward was talkin to her….HILARIOUS!!! I was lukin lik…wth is she duin..?? Havin a orgasim?? Bt yea
New moon sud and betta b better….=]
January 24th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
you’re wrong. the twilight is the best movie ever
January 26th, 2009 at 4:23 am
You try making a movie, and then have some criticize you about how bad it sucked. Then tell us how you feel.
January 27th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
So i didn’t hate the movie but it wasn’t a favorite. i was dissappointed it but i know it could have been a lot worse, like those movies they show in school from the 70’s but the flying vampire part has to go… that ruined it for me there. ha. but if you want to see it, watch the movie then read the book so you know how good it should have been
January 27th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
The movie was horrendous, but in a completely awesome way. I couldn’t stop laughing the whole time. What can you expect from a movie made from the worst book series ever written?
September 25th, 2009 at 8:08 am
The whole “Twilight” franchise is fail.