Movie Mondays: On Mondays, I will review a book series or novel that has been made into a movie. I will then answer the question that everyone asks: which is better, the movie or the book? Here is this week’s offering:
Book: Twilight by Stephanie Meyer | Movie: Twilight (2008)
Which did I read/see first? the BOOK
Book Cover | Movie Poster
The Book:
Series: Twilight Saga
Genre: Teen, Vampires, Romance
Thoughts:
I actually enjoyed Twilight. Mind you, I was about 15 when I read it (read: target audience) and I hadn’t read too many books at that point. This was also just before it got really big too so not so many annoying fangirls. I thought the story was cute and I enjoyed the “paranormal” aspect of it. I have since read extremely better books, but when I initially read it, I did like it.
As I wrote in my series review of the series, I liked Edward as a romantic read and tolerated Bella. I thought the plot was a good blend of suspense, romance and action and while the writing is nothing superb, it was easy to read.
Conclusion:
I enjoyed it though, definitely not for everyone. Teens will probably get the most out of it so that would be who I recommend it to.
Rating: 4/5
Series Review: Full series review here!.
Similar Reads: Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Darkside by Beth Fantaskey (Jessica Series, #1) and My Love Lies Bleeding by Alyxandra Harvey (Drake Chronicles, #1)
The Movie:
I was one of those book fans who didn’t like the casting choices for the movie. I thought the Cullen family was cast perfectly as well as the rest of the supporting cast. I liked Taylor Lautner as Jacob (it allowed me to understand visually why Bella was always torn between Edward and Jacob :P). However, I don’t like Robert Pattinson or Kristen Stewart.
I will keep this rant short but they weren’t who I pictured for the leads in my head when I read the book. Robert isn’t my vision of Edward. Actually, I wanted Steven Strait (The Covenant, 2006 & Magic City, 2012-) to be Edward (I understand that some people wanted him for Jacob, but I think he is a better Edward. I think what fueled this idea in my head was the role he plays in The Covenant was very similar to Edward’s. As for Kristen, she looked the part but I could never stand her acting. Did you ever watch the movie Catch that Kid(2004)? Well, Kristen was in it and I couldn’t stand her in that. My friends and I like to play a game when we watch the movies called “what expression is Kristen trying to do now?” Most of the time the answer is constipation.
But, to the actually movie. As far as book to movie adaptions, this nearly copies the book word for word. There are a few pieces of artistic licence but for the most part, it follows the book. I remember seeing it for the first time and thinking it was amazing and then going to rewatch it (yes, I saw it twice in theatres) and laughing hysterically throughout it. The acting isn’t great, the graphics are a little hokey but the budget wasn’t that fantastic for it so I can let it go.
So, which is better: the book or the movie?
In this case, the winner is the book . The book is a touch less cheesy than the movie. Though I give props to the movie for sticking to the book’s story.
Do you agree? Leave a comment below!
Synopsis for Twilight (from Goodreads):
Isabella Swan’s move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella’s life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife-between desire and danger. Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite
Trailer: