My thoughts on Twilight.

You know, this is probably the most blogged about topic right now, but I feel like I might as well speak my peace about it. Last night Andrea, Karalyn and I went to see it. We sat in line from 7:30 on for our 10 pm show and we weren't the first in line by a long shot.
Let me start out by saying that I went in with ridiculously low expectations. I force myself to do that with movies being recreated from my favorite books (All of the Harry Potter's, Jane Austen's...) because otherwise, I'll leave disappointed. Always. I mean, prove me wrong! If you went to see it expecting to experience all of the same emotions you felt while reading the book you left completely distraught and/or furious... that's just how it goes sometimes.
But if you go in expecting crap, you'll leave thinking, "oh, that wasn't so bad..."
So that was my overall experience.
Thoughts on the movie...
1) It was not the book. It put as much from the book into the movie as it could and I think they did a good job portraying how Bella and Edward got to know each over several days (making it seem like one continuous conversation, but changing locations, clothes, etc.) and they stuck pretty much right to the plot line. BUT it was not the book. There were a lot of my favorite details from the book that was not in the movie, but I understand that I'm not the director and I can't just stick my favorite parts in there and expect the rest of the Twilight-loving world to think it's great too.
2) The pace was a bit off for me. There were parts that went all too quickly and some parts that lingered a little too long.
3) I loved the scene where Bella officially meets the Cullens. I think they way each of the characters were introduced on a more personal level was great and fit what I imagined of each of them from the book.
4) The movie captured the wit of the book. There were several "moments" where I laughed right out loud, remembering how much I loved little things like that when I was reading the book, (ie, everything about Charlie, Emmett, and Mike Newton...) great stuff.
5) Stephanie Meyer's cameo?? WHAT THE RANDOM!! "Here ya go Stephanie," who's idea was that one? Could we be a little more obvious please? no really, let's hold the camera on her for an awkward amount of time and pretend like she belongs in the town. because she totally looks like she belongs there...?? yeah, for a minute I thought she and her laptop were in the shot by accident.
6) Also, and this is totally random, but I'm sticking it in here... because I can... the first time Bella and Edward show up to school together was classic! SO Great!! oh man... that was perfect. sigh of contentment.
Thoughts on the Characters...
1) Kristen Stewart/Bella Swan wasn't what I was expecting at all. I originally didn't think I was going to like her, but she wasn't too bad. She wasn't a terrific actress, too blinky and not sarcastic enough, but her look and voice matched what I had imagined. I'm kind of indifferent on her.
2) Robert Pattinson/Edward Cullen was pretty much terrible. He wasn't at all what I imagined him to look like, and obviously that's a topic that's been run through the mill 27,000 times becuase he was "perfect to Bella" and not me. I get that, so enough there. But I don't even think Pattinson can act at all. There were pockets of "Edward" here and there-and that kept me from hating him-but overall, I wasn't impressed.
*While I'm slightly dissapointed with the choice and acting skills of the leads, they definaltely had GREAT chemestry togther. No one can doubt that. There was never a moment where I thought, "oh wow, that looked awkward" and for the most part, I believed that they really belonged together. I think that's what saved their characters for me.
3) Ashley Greene/Alice. Really good. I loved Alice in the book and I'm kind of sad there wasn't more of her in the movie, but obviously this isn't her story and she has to be more of a minor character for time constraints.
4) Jackson Rathbone/Jasper. Slightly twitchy. Was that just my imagination? I dunno, twitchy was never the impression I got when reading about his character. To me, he should have been quietly restraining himself... concentrating.
5) Kellan Lutz/Emmett Cullen was GREAT! He wasn't quite as tall as I expected, but captured the essense of Emmett really well. hmm, 'essence of Emmett.' I wish that came in a bottle... Anyways, well done there. Seriously. Good stuff. He's hot.
6) Nikki Reed/Rosalee Cullen is better as a Brunette. I think she's possibly one of the most beautiful women ever as a brunette, but it doesn't convert over for me as a blonde. And being rediculously georgeous is what Rosalee is all about. She's supposed to be the most beautiful, coveted, vain person out there. I think they should have chosen a natural blonde with just as much sass and attitude.
7) Peter Facinelli/Carlisle Cullen. Good actor, bad look. Like Rosalee, he does not look good as a bleached-blonde. Frankly, I don't think he looks that good as a brunette either, pointy features kinda weird me out. But he can act. His performance pulled the character off for me, so it ended up ok.
8) Jennie Garth/Esme Cullen was really good. She really looked like you could tell her all of your problems after a hard day and she would just let you cry on her lap while stroking your hair, telling you that not everyday will be this hard and that you still have a pretty good life. To me, that's what Esme's there for. To be loving and supportive and a young, precious-looking Mother-figure.
9) Charlie, Renee, Billy, Jacob, SPOT ON! I can hardly complain about any of them. They all had the personalities and sense of humor of each of their characters. Charlie was pretty much exactly what I pictured him as. Renee was a little older looking than I pictured, but still pulled off the character really well. Billy and Jacob were both perfect. Perfect everything... I'm really looking forward to seeing how Jacob and Bella will bounce off eachother, it looked really good based on the little there was in the movie.
10)Mike Newton, Jessica, Angela, Eric, and the kid who almost hits her with the van (I can't remember his name to save my life...). Mike Newton was a little less good looking than I expected, but his personality made up for it, so it all made sense. Jessica isn't exactly what I pictured either, but was kinda close and still played the character really well. Angela and Eric weren't anything remotely close to what I pictured, but were still good and it made sense. And the van driving kid... not at all what I was thinking, but great! Overall, I think Stephanie Meyer made them kind of steriotypical in the book, and the movie made them less so and more real... more natural... more like, there really were those kids at my high school. So yeah, well done there.

Anyways, I think that's all I want to say about that. I feel like I've been typing forever so I'm gonna go...