There have been five movies, four years, four directors, and two Victorias. The actors grown and changed in their acting abilities, whether you like them or not. Their hairstyles have changed significantly, often for the worse. Each film has a unique feel to it entirely apart from the plot.
Which movie was your favorite?
Twilight - the first movie - is far and away my favorite. In some ways, it's the weakest film. Much of the acting is terrible. Rob couldn't decide whether to speak in a British or an American accent. The CGI was laughable. The script was so cheesy that you could easily spend much of the movie laughing at it.
And yet...
It has a raw energy that none of the other films captured. From watching her other films, I've noticed that Catherine Hardwicke has a distinct style of manic craziness. She really is good at capturing the power of teen emotions on camera. It showed in Twilight. Even with the weakness of the actors and the script, I couldn't help but feel the chemistry between Bella and Edward every second they were together. Her choice of a dark color palate only highlighted the edginess of the film.
However, I think by far the most significant thing Twilight had going for it was the lack of expectations. No one thought it would be a huge hit - not the production studio, the actors, Stephenie Meyer, the director. The low budget hurt the cinematic prettiness of the film, but it was a gift in every other way.
Catherine was very smart to pick largely unknown actors to star in Twilight. As far as I can tell, there was no drama on set, no egos to contend with. The specter of fame did not hang over anyone's head. It looked like the actors were extremely grateful to be there and were having a lot of fun. It's amazing how much that can affect my enjoyment of a movie. Plus, my perception of the characters was not colored by the gossip I'd read about the actors playing them. That especially affected my view of the last film (Interestingly, I never even thought about Rob and Kristen's personal drama. Ashley/Alice irritated me more).
From an objective standpoint, I think the best films of the series were probably Eclipse and Breaking Dawn Part 1. But Twilight is the movie that I will watch over and over.
Hmm, I'm going to tonight (FINALLY) to see Breaking Dawn Pt 2. I think, this movie may be my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI actually think my favourite movie is Eclipse. I thought that one had the most (intentional) humour. But I did absolutely love the new twist in BD Part 2, as well.
ReplyDeleteHmm...hard choice. I liked them all. Some were better than others, but I liked them all for different reasons.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I have a soft spot in my heart for Twilight, after all it was the start of it all and outside of my initial disappointment of who they picked for Edward, I loved it. Of course, as the movies went on, Robert Pattinson grew on me.
I'd say my first choice is probably Breaking Dawn Pt.1 and my second favorite was probably Eclipse.
I was happy with the final movie, but it could have been better. I felt that the big fight scene was the best part.
Tamara @ Shelf Addiction
shelfaddiction.com
I probably like Twilight the best of the movies, simply because that is the story I like the best. Although I love the scene in New Moon where Bella is running through the crowd of people in the red cloaks.
ReplyDeleteI think my least favorite movie is Eclipse. There was something about the movie that I couldn't get into. I'm not sure what.
I think Breaking Dawn Part 1 is the best film. I thought the beginning half (before Bella becomes pregnant) is quite funny, and I enjoyed it.
I don't think I can narrow it down to just one - I really love the first film because Twilight is my favorite book in the series, but I also felt like Breaking Dawn pt 2 was really good as well. I hope to watch it again soon, and see if I think it is a better film. The nostalgia they inject into the last movie certainly made the film seem deeper in scope as we are reminded of everything that went on in the previous films.
ReplyDeleteI really like what you had to say about the first Twilight film--and as much as I like to gently poke fun at them, it's true that there was SOMETHING in that first movie that was compelling enough for me to keep seeing them! (I only read the first three books this year.)
ReplyDeleteI have to say my favorite film is the latest one, though. I thought it was superbly well-directed, and it actually had fun with the story. I think it also helped that it was just jammed full of action! Loved the surprises in the big battle. People were gasping all around us. :)
Wendy @ The Midnight Garden
Unfortunately I wasn't a fan of the movies. They were good in a way but . . . I don't know . . . just wasn't a huge fan of them. But if I had to pick my favourite film (even though I haven't seen Breaking Dawn Part 1 or 2) it would have to be the first film because it was the one that stayed mostly true to the books and I loved Catherine's movie making. She has this very unique style towards her films.
ReplyDeleteI love the movies. Yes they are super cheesy and have some bad acting, but there is just something about them that I will always love and always want to watch over and over. I completely agree on what you said about Twilight. I think of them all, I preferred the way a few of the characters looked best in that one, particularly Edward. But I can pick out things that I just loved about every one of the movies. And obviously things that I don't as well. lol :)
ReplyDelete~Sara @ Forever 17 Books
I do agree that the first movie was the best. I felt in the others, some of the actors tried too hard. Even though parts of the first movie made me laugh they were so bad, it still got me into the series. I also feel that the sound track for the first movie was better too, just saying. :) But of course, the books were ten times better. :)
ReplyDeleteOh I agree with you "Twilight" had some innocence and energy the other books didn't manage to capture. Plus, Edward looked the best in Twilight! I loved his hairstyle! In the other movies he just looked like an old man!
ReplyDeleteBut, I think the best movie is Eclipse, from the movie POV - not the books! Eclipse was amazing, I loved everything, the action the interaction! It's also the movie besides Twilight I have seen the most.
Btw, Breaking Dawn Part II? It was nice but not excitingly awesome...
Twilight will always remain my favourite because it was the very first one. But, Breaking Dawn Part 2 is a very close second. Loved every minute of it!!
ReplyDeleteFor me so far it has to be Breaking Dawn part 1 :) I think it was because I had been waiting to see the married and together since 2008 - So when the moment finally came it made it my favorite. I haven't see the second part yet. You never know, that may become my new fave. :) xx
ReplyDeleteYeap, me too! Eclipse is my favorite because I got to se Jacob all muscled up. I just came from watching Breaking Dawn 2; OMG! did you see it? I was like "oh no! they killed Jasper! That was not in the book."
ReplyDeleteI've got to give it to New Moon, and I think it's because of the soundtrack. I LOVE that soundtrack, and it helps make the movie a million times better. I also didn't mind that R Patts was missing for most of the movie - his grimacing every time Bella was near was not missed.
ReplyDeleteEclipse is my favorite of the films. I loved seeing the behind-the-scenes stuff that we didn't get in the book (at least until Bree Tanner was released) and I loved the fight scene. It was awesome!
ReplyDeleteI found myself liking this last movie the best and I didn't know why, but I think you've pretty much explained it all. I had no high expectations going in and while the acting was bad at least bella had facial expressions this time lol. I want to see it again already.
ReplyDelete