




Producers: Mark Morgan, Greg Mooradian, Wyck Godfrey
Director:Catherine Hardwicke
Story: Stephenie Meyer (author of the book Twilight ) & Melissa Rosenberg
Stars: Kristen Stewart, Billy Burke, Robert Pattinson, Peter Facinelli, Cam Gigandet
CREATIVE QUOTIENT:
Twilight is a series of four vampire-based fantasy romance novels by American author Stephenie Meyer. Ever since the release of the first novel, Twilight, in 2005, the books have gained immense popularity and commercial success around the world. The series is most popular among young adults; the four books have won multiple awards. As of November 2009, the series has sold over 85 million copies worldwide with translations into at least 38 different languages around the globe.
The first film of the series, Twilight revolves round Bella Swan. When her mother’s new husband wants to pursue his dreams of playing minor league baseball, Bella Swan chooses to live with her sheriff father in the sleepy, somewhat creepy Pacific Northwest town of Fork. There she becomes an instant hit at the local high school, and captures the piercing gaze of campus pretty boy Edward Cullen. The foster son of the town’s enigmatic doctor, he and his surprisingly similar-looking siblings are noted for being very secretive and semi-outcasts.
At first, Bella and Edward don’t get along. He acts oddly around her. But slowly their affections build. Soon, he is saving her from out-of-control cars and random acts of gang violence. She, on the other hand, is figuring out his problem — he’s a vampire. Turns out that Edward “senses” something special about Bella, and can’t be sure that he can control his “cravings” around her. Even worse, by befriending the undead, our heroine puts herself in harm’s way, especially when a band of rogue neckbiters come to town looking for humans to hunt.
She is touched by his devotion. On Prom Night, on the stage of the not especially private gazebo in the public gardens, he teeters right on the brink of a fang job and then brings all of her trembling to a dead standstill.
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE:
Unlike the sinister Dracula movies that denote the vampire cult, Twilight is lush, beautiful and well- mounted. The casting couldn’t have been better — Robert Pattinson is simply the Byronic icon for the youngsters of today. As Edward, the class Greek God he is outstanding with his burning good looks. Kristen Stewart’s Bella, on the other hand, is a fresh-faced innocent, who is totally undefended against his voltage.
Director Catherine Hardwicke has been authentic to Melissa Rosenberg’s script. This modern-day romance with its dark side is what is bringing in the audiences - the young ones especially — in droves. She has kept the narrative going with some outstanding action sequences. A Superman-like feat of stopping a runaway truck, or jumping to save Bella from street hoodlums -the action sequences in Twilight are mesmeric, as Edward and Bella soar over treetops.
The film’s target audience - 16-year-old girls - swoon at the mere sight of Edward, who seems to stir their surrender instincts, like Bella.
A sequel is already waiting to be released in India.
RATING:
One for direction. One for script. One for action sequences.