OK for kids 13+
Teen fans will love faithful -- if uneven -- adaptation.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this adaptation of author Stephenie Meyer's youth culture phenomenon Twilight was one of the most anticipated movies of 2008. Millions of kids 10 to 18 have read the books, and many more are familiar with them. Like the novel, the film features an intense romantic relationship between a gorgeous vampire and a human girl. There are a few kisses and several stares, hand touches, and embraces. One make-out session takes place on a bed with the girl in her underwear, but it's abruptly stopped. The movie's violence is mostly implied, but there's one particularly disturbing scene involving vampires, blood, a bitten human with a broken limb, and the destruction of an evil vampire. Language and drinking aren't issues; product placement is mostly limited to cars -- Volvo, Hummer, Mercedes, etc.
- Families can talk about the various themes that have made the books such a huge success: first (and forbidden) love, restraint in getting intimate, everlasting and unconditional romance, and heart-thumping adventure.
- Do you think Bella is a good role model for teen girls? Why or why not?Do you think she and Edward have a healthy relationship?
- If you've read the book, did the film meet your expectations? What changeswere good for the film? What scenes did you miss from the novel?
- Why doyou think the books and the movie have inspired such fanaticaldevotion? For more talking points, check out our article.
The good stuff
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Messages: Bella and Edward's relationship sends a somewhat mixed message to teens -- it's chaste and loving, but it could also be perceived as obsessive. The Cullens are a very loyal family, and they strive to rise above their baser vampire instincts.
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Role models: Bella is mature and smart, but she can also be dependent and fragile. Edwardis respectful and gallant, though often somewhat angsty. Contemporary Native Americans are featured respectfully.
What to watch for
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Violence: A lot of the violence is implied: There are fast shots of vampires right before they kill their prey (both human and animal). A group of guys follows Bella down a dark alley and starts harassing her; Edward threatens them. A predatory vampire tries to kill Bella. There's a bloody, vicious fight between an evil vampire and the Cullens. Bella is seriously hurt and ends up in the hospital. Charlie, a sheriff, has weapons, including a shotgun.
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Sex: As in the book, Bella and Edward have an intensely romantic(though overall fairly chaste) relationship. They stare and gaze at each other lovingly and share somepassionate embraces and a couple of kisses, including one make-out session thattakes place on a bed while Bella's in her underwear. Other couples flirt, holdhands, and swoon at each other.
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Language: Incredibly mild for a PG-13 film, just like the book: "repulsive," "vile," "dammit."
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Consumerism: Brands featured include Volvo, Hummer, Mercedes, Mac, BMW, Lays potato chips, Body Glove, and Southwest. Most appearances are subtle, though Edward's Volvo has some big moments.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: No drinking or smoking by underage characters. Bella's dad and his friend stock up with cans of beer for an afternoon together but aren't actually shown drinking them. Bella gives her dad an unopened can of beer in one scene.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
Enjoyed it by Lgoaliefan
I did not read the books but did enjoy the movie.
1
If youre 13 and female THIS MOVIE IS FOR YOU by xbox1986
my girlfriend dragged me to this crapfest tooth and nail as punishment for something. the only good thing in the entire movie was the new volvo. calling this a vamp movie is like saying marley and me was a comedy. first off vampires arent glittery when the sun hits them... they catch fire duh. secondly vamps always get laid (i know "but in the book..." blah blah blah a real vamp gets tail the author is a tard) and whats up with the scene where they lay in the grass stareing at eachother for 5 minutes? for all the guys that had to watch this it would be a great time to balance the checkbook or bust out the ipod, or hell, shove a nail in your eye. all of those alternatives are more entertaining than this pile of dog dookie. this movie was DESIGNED for YOUNG GIRLS and no one else. the girl in the movie is attractive but theres not even a makeout scene so whats the point and the vamp is a friggin TOOL who apparently joind the abstanace program at school. this movie blows
F: a total flop!
1
AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL by flixwatchergal
I can't believe anyone could give this slow moving, teen horror let down a good rating. The story just drags on and on. The female lead says "I'm not afraid of you" so many times you just want to wring her little neck. The body glitter covered, piano playing, mind reading, tree climbing, vegitarian vampire idea is just ridiculous. My mother said, "This is two hours of torture." The most interesting part of th movie was when the foster family of vampires was playing a game of baseball in the woods. Yes, you read it right... a foster family of vampires playing baseball. You get so tired of the female lead being referred to as food that you start to wish to see her eaten just to get it over with and end the movie. What she says to her father when she decides to run away iis unforgivable... what a freak. I suggest you save your time and pick something else to watch.
5
TWILIGHT by majorbratt
Movie was amazing. After reading the books I felt like I was sitting at home with a group of friends watching a film filled with inside jokes that we all got and understood, even though we were an auditorium full of strangers. The most fun I've had at the movies in a long time.
TEAM EDWARD!
1
I don't understand how something so terrible can be so popular. by Fayiirah
Well, the film is better than the books.
The the film SUCKS.
4
TWILIGHT. by Daydream
Twilight, the new teen sensation, making families travel from Georgia and who knows where else just to see the premiere in LA, is hands down a box office favorite this year. There are showtimes at 3 in the morning, lines out the door and sold out crowds everywhere, with the majority of the people buying their tickets days to weeks in advance. I, not being a teenage girl, walked into this movie taking into account all the hype it has collected since the Stephanie Meyer saga was released. The books were hands down amazing and I had little hope for this movie living up to them. Rob Pattinson was a standout as the pained yet confident vampire. Ashley Greene as Alice Cullen and Billy Burke as Charlie Swan were very impressive. Decent casting that stuck close to the story making you want the next movie just as you wanted to read the next book. Worth seeing in theatres.
1
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! by puppyluvvs
OMG WORST MOVIE EVER!!!!!!!!!! I HATED IT!!!!!!!!!! IT WAS A TOTAL CORN BALL!!!!!!! "you are like my own brand of herowin" WHAT THE HECK IS THAT????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT WATCH IT!!!!!!!!!!!! WASTE OF MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!! READ THE BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU WILL BE WAY MORE HAPPY ABOUT THE OUTCOME!!!!!!!!!!
5
A really good job! by taldeezy
I went to the midnight showing and i loved it. You honestly can't go into any movie portraying a book and expect it to be exact to the text. But honestly i was really impressed. I felt that they did a better job than lets say harry potter ever did to keeping it to the book and any extra scene added to the movie was only because they needed some extra scenes for dialogue. I was a little disappointed with the meadow scene, because i felt that that was the moment when they fell in love and it just seemed tense and a little uncomfortable. I'm also upset that he never said I love you to her. But there will be other movies! I loved the baseball scene! and I was pleasantly surprise to find that they put a comedic twist to it. The cast was casted perfectly and the acting was done very well.
Over all you should definitely come to this movie! Any one who left unhappy went in with too many expectations. A book and a movie are different things. Stop judging every detail and just enjoy it.
4
Telenovela Eyes by emmgandy
I think fans of the series of books will enjoy the movie, however, you will be a little disappointed at times too. There are several scenes that will make you chuckle when they shouldn't. The camera work is a little weird at times and some very awkward editing will leave you hopping through the first half of the story.
I would've liked more story about Edward or some way to explain or show us how he hears everyones thoughts. Overall it was good. If there is actually someone who watches this movie that somehow hasn't read or heard about the books the story may be confusing at the start but I believe you'll get it all in the end.
*Keep an eye out for the Bella sees Edward cafeteria scene on her first day. (Telenovela eyes)
3
READ THIS by twilighfan
Ok guys...i just watched the film last night and let me make it clear that I am a HUGE fan of the books. Here is what I have to say about the film that I was waiting for long for...First off it is ovious that there was not a lot of money used because the makeup was bad. Starting with the charachters...All the characters were what I imagined, but Jasper looked constipated the entire time and Rosalie should have been played by someone better looking. Next, there were people laughing in many scenes which should not have been funny according to the book. The scenes were rushed as if they were forced to make the film and finish it asap. Many of the most important details were missing and the love Edward and Bella share did not come clear through this film. I feel bad because I love Twilight and I didnt imagine saying anything negative, but Im being honest. Hopefully the next one will be better. Anyone who hasnt read the book would not understnad the hype about it through the film. Too bad.