Pop Culture Buzz

*** STARS

I was apprehensive about all of the hype and buzz that surrounds “Twilight” at first. But there are some major differences between these vampires and Bram Stokers famous blood sucker. This cute little romance sticks to the love story between its leads instead concentrating on the blood and guts aspect of vampire mythology. Sure this film and the book are toned down for its millions of tween girl fans, but the pacing is well timed enough for adults to get sucked into the unfolding mellow drama.

“Twilight is the first movie of the “Twilight” book series, and introduces seventeen-year-old Isabella “Bella” Swan who moves from Phoenix, Arizona, to Forks, Washington, and finds her life in danger when she falls in love with a vampire, Edward Cullen. The first novel is followed by “New Moon”, “Eclipse”, and “Breaking Dawn”. The first filmed book in the series follows Bella and Edward as they fall in love with most of the action packed scenes taking place towards the tail end of the movie.

“Twilight” is a love story at its core but the most refreshing thing about this film is its witty underlined sense of humor and creative twists on vampire lore. Edward and his family of vampires are not like the “burst into flames at the first light of day” blood suckers you see in most movies. These vampires call themselves “vegetarian” because they don’t eat humans, their skin glows like diamonds in sunlight and they are able to fall in love with humans.

I felt myself falling like a little school girl for Edward’s drop dead gorgeous looks and magnificent hair. Even though the dialogue is sappy and feels like text book soap opera material, the chemistry between the two leads is electrifying. Director Catherine Hardwick (”Thirteen”) uses the right amount of slow-motion techniques to capture the intensity shared between the two main characters. When we first see Bella and Edward make eye contact in the cafeteria the charge is almost palpable.

A lot people and critics will dismiss this film as overheated or shallow, and they would be missing the point. The bond that Bella and Edward share is the perfect type of relationship for young girls to see played out on the big screen. I think it is refreshing to see a romance between two young people that doesn’t involve sex and foul language. “Twilight” captures the innocence of puppy love and teen attraction better than most young adult movies that come out these days. I now can add myself to the legions of fans that are rooting for both of these characters to live happily ever after.