Twilight Book and Movie Review
The Book By Stephenie Meyer and 2008 Film
The first in a series of four books by Stephenie Meyer, Twilight is a heart-racing introduction to a captivating romance that sets the stage for the remaining books in the saga: New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn.
The Twilight Saga
The Twilight saga breaks the assumption that something written about teens would appeal only to teen fans. Adults may also find they enjoy the books and will understand the deeper meanings behind thematic elements throughout the series.
With each book in her series, Meyer allows readers to experience a range of emotions through its teenage characters. In Twilight, the lead characters' emotions go from having a hesitant uncertainty about each other to becoming curious and love-struck as readers sink deeper into the plot through the eyes of narrator and lead character Bella Swan.
The Lead Characters of Twilight
Bella is a headstrong, breakable girl, who is mature far beyond her 17 years. She is in the midst of a transitional period in her life and moves to Washington State to live with her father. After enrolling in a new school, Bella encounters the fascinating and handsome Edward Cullen whom at first she finds to be sporadically standoffish.
Meyer’s two lead characters in Twilight, Bella and Edward, are both developed with ample amounts of teenage romance mixed with surprising but pleasant attentions given to traits of truthfulness, trustworthiness and commitment that rivals something one would find in adult relationships. These character traits are displayed beautifully in the relationship between Bella and Edward.
The Cullen family provides a well-chosen angle to the story, revealing a caring, supportive network that surrounds Edward and Bella with protection and unconditional love. Each "family member" has his or her own personal gifts that they bring to a group that is unique in and of itself in relation to others of their kind.
Twilight - The 2008 Film
In the 2008 film, directed by Catherine Hardwicke with the screenplay by Melissa Rosenberg, Bella is played by Kristen Stewart, and Robert Pattinson plays the role of Edward Cullen. Both actors melt into their roles with ease to reveal their characters’ complex feelings about one another and bewitching discoveries made throughout the course of the story.
Stewart is an ideal choice to play the role of Bella, with her ability to convey a teenage girl who, without wavering, is drawn to Edward and to discover more about his world. Pattinson plays the role of Edward with a smoothness and intensity that fits perfectly with his character's magnetic appearance and protective devotion to Bella.
The music chosen for the movie and soundtrack was icing on the cake, with tracks by Iron & Wine, Collective Soul, Muse, Blue Foundation, and even a beautiful guitar solo and song from Rob Pattinson. Radiohead's "15 step" song that's played during the closing credits of the film would have been a great addition to the soundtrack.
Exceptionally Gripping Film and Book
The ending scene and chapter in Twilight provides a satisfying cliffhanger and desire to transition to the next novel, New Moon, as well as the New Moon film to be released later in 2009. The Twilight DVD is scheduled for release in stores on March 21.
Twilight is published by Little, Brown Young Readers (September 6, 2006). The ISBN-10 is 0316015849, and ISBN-13 is 978-0316015844.
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