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Movie review: “Twilight”
BY MAGGIE SCOTT
There’s nothing wrong with “Twilight” that a little bit of Bela and a little bit of Anne Rice couldn’t fix fast. Overly sensitive to their target audience, the makers of “Twilight” have pretty much drained the life and libido out of the vampire genre with their bloodless and inoffensive adaptation of the Stephenie Meyer romance novels beloved of pre-teen and teen girls.
Far from the mountains of Transylvania, the story’s small clan of adolescent vampires has found a home in the mountains of Washington State, where the prevailing climate of “liquid sunshine” (rain) allows them to attend Forks High School. This is just one of many schools the permanently 17-year-old Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) has brooded his way through since he was “turned” in 1918 before he could die of the Spanish Influenza.
While they consider themselves “vegetarian” vampires, because they only drink the blood of animals, the Cullens keep to themselves at Forks High. It’s a lonely existence, even though Edward knows that all the girls think he’s hot. He knows, because he can read their minds. All, except the new girl. Isabella Swan (Kirsten Stewart) has moved in with Dad after Mom got re-married back in Arizona.
Bella considers herself a “suffer-in-silence type;” but her shyness doesn’t keep several of the kids from getting friendly. While they seemed to like her without much effort, Bella is confused by Edward’s reaction to her. What she doesn’t know is that her scent has stirred an impulse in him that he is struggling to suppress; struggling so hard, that he has to cover his mouth with his hand when she sits next to him in biology.
At first, it’s just shared glances. Next, it’s snatches of strained and awkward conversation. Then, he saves Bella from being crushed by a skidding van. How did he move so quickly? Is it more than adrenalin that gave him that super-human strength?
Bella needs answers. Why is Edward’s skin so cold? Why does she imagine she sees him in her bedroom? When is he going to kiss her? Deep inside, Bella knows what Edward is, and she’s not afraid. But, how does she convince him that he doesn’t have to fear “losing control” with her.
While Bella and Edward are dealing with their attraction, the town is dealing with mysterious deaths and the Cullen clan is becoming the target of a trio of carnivorous vampires. With the vampire angle pretty much toothless, the film’s real bite comes from Bella and the tests she faces with courage and grace.
As Bella, Stewart is the only warm-blooded, pulsating presence; while Pattinson destroys the mood every time he gets verbal. Summit Entertainment release, rated PG-13 for some violence and a scene of sensuality.
