It is not a secret that I am a big fan of all things supernatural, from Vampires to Werewolves, Witches to Dragons, I like it all. In all it's media forms - films, books and art, I have a fascination with all things mythical.
SPOILER ALERT
This week saw the premiere of the latest film in the Twilight series, Eclipse and I have already seen it twice. First at a special midnight showing and then a few hours later with my ten year old stepdaughter. I love the audiences at these films. The fans are called Twihards for a reason. They are so serious. The funniest thing at the midnight showing was when the gay guy behind me shouted out "You Bitch" when Bella accepted Edward's marriage proposal! It was hilarious.
There is a lot of Vampire literature out there, book stores are full of it. Stephenie Meyer's series is not the best or even the most original but it is the most popular at the moment and the films are a phenomenal success. Let's be brutally honest, it is all a little twee and sugar-coated though, even for teen fiction.
I am a fan but I am still able to remain objective, unlike some. I was looking forward to the latest film as Eclipse is my favourite book of the series. The love triangle between Bella, Edward and Jacob intensifies but more importantly Victoria returns with her army of newborn vampires. As the Twilight saga progresses there are potentially bigger and better action sequences. Twilight - the showdown in the ballet studio with Edward and James. New Moon -introducing the wolves and the Volturi. Eclipse - the battle with Victoria's Newborn army. Breaking Dawn - the war with the Volturi. I understand that filmmakers aren't able to keep everything from the books in the film but I saw a serious flaw in David Slade's interpretation. In all the books, we are told again and again how hard it is to kill a vampire. They are incredibly strong and fast and almost impossible to hurt or maim. The only way to kill them and keep them dead is to tear them apart and burn the pieces. Catherine Hardwick's portrayal of this in the first film was totally consistent with the books and the lore Stephenie Meyer had created. Chris Weitz's interpretation of the Wolves and the Volturi in New Moon was excellent. However, in this third film it seems the vampires are now able to be killed by single blows to the head! Instead of limbs being torn they appeared to be snapped with glass shattering sound effects and visuals which looked like silver painted polystyrene! I appreciate that they are targetting a young audience and were aiming for a 12A certificate or similar but WTF!
I left the midnight showing feeling seriously disappointed but then thought maybe it's just me. All the waiting, hype and expectation might have clouded my judgement. However, the second viewing did nothing to allay my feelings. In fact I saw lots more to criticise. A word to the wise Mr Slade, extreme close ups on actors wearing an inch of make up and a bad wig is not a good look. It might be okay when it transfers to DVD but on a cinema screen you can see every clogged pore and hair root! In general the hair and make up on this film is awful. The wigs are obvious and instead of the vampires being drop dead gorgeous they all looked sick and grungy. Poor Esme (Elizabeth Reaser) looked positively bizarre in all her scenes like she was in constant shock. The wolves in their human form looked just human instead of pumped. Even the general lighting seemed wrong with Forks being sunny and bright instead of grey and wet.
I hope Bill Condon does a better job with Breaking Dawn.
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