It's Twilight...and I Want to Sleep

Ready:

I’m getting ready to go to the Twilight opening in Colorado. It’s a midnight showing. I’ve been up since 5 am with a restless night from kids. I’m worried that they will be restless again and Zach will have a hard night juggling a cold that has settled in his chest and any child that has sniffed out that Mommy’s leaving shortly. (They tend to do that).

I’m warming up with Heros, this past episode that I missed (Tivo’s grand). I’m starting to wonder what I’ll be into next. But, I tell myself this is all different…so…different. Because I’m 36 years old and keeping myself up way past my bed time, to walk among the zombies tomorrow, trying to parent my kids…to watch…a movie opening…of a teen novel. Hmmm.

Set:

I wonder if I’ll be the oldest person there. I’m meeting Mrs. S. and some of her friends; she’s younger than me by about 6 or more years. I hope she has some older friends.

Go:

My eyes are burning. My head is doing that dizzy, lazy, I need to sleep thing. I’m too old for this! Maybe I can sleep for 15 minutes…

The Result:

Schew. First things first, I didn’t fall asleep. The bonus…I wasn’t the oldest person there, by far. There were men there. Actual true blue manly men. There were tons of teenagers. Teenagers who could barely hold back the squeals of excitement in anticipation of their obsession of an amazingly well written novel come to life. (I admit, I couldn’t wait either). Then they learned their first lesson…. Books are always better than the movie.

I don’t want to give anything away since I realized that there are so many of you who have yet to be willing to secretly pick up the book and read…don’t hold out too long, you’ll wonder why you waited. I can say that the book is amazingly written and not nearly done justice in the film. Essential parts were cut out. The romance was on crack…that is, it sped up to a romance far faster than it should have and without the necessary understanding of build up; the build up being much of what was riveting about the novel. Most characters were well cast. Even Edward, who I didn’t like the choice of initially, he doesn’t fit the bill of breathlessly beautiful, grew on me. The acting in parts was ‘B’ level and forced.

So, I would only recommend the movie to those who have taken the time, or day or two, to read the book. That’s the only way the movie can be given justice. (Although I just talked with a teen neighbor of ours who didn’t read the book but saw the movie and LOVED it). I would also recommend doing what you can to tune out the “oooo’s” “aaaaa’s” and misplaced laughter from many of the younger generation. It distracts from the movie and adds a sense of comedy to a non-comedic film. When you do go to the movie, because there is something about the need to see this novel’s words in film, be ready to admit (yet again) that movies are never as good as what the written word draws in your mind.



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