Awesomeness.

Okay, now everyone I know that reads this has already seen Twilight. So...here it is: my ultimate movie review!

First of all, I love the opening sequence. Kristen Stewart sounds better as a voiceover than when she's acting. The hunting scene at the beginning was well thought out, especially at this point it establishes that whatever that "thing" is that's chasing this animal is bad. You see scenes of this helpless, fragile animal just minding its own business...suddenly, something unforeseen comes and interrupts this, ultimately killing the animal. I think this is a good representation of the message that Edward wanted to get across to Bella--Bella, in his eyes, represents the deer; something fragile and breakable, ultimately disturbed by this creature and could end up dead. Also, I couldn't help but love the scenes that were in Arizona (although they weren't actually filmed in AZ...but close enough! Desert is desert, right!?). I think they made a beautiful transition from AZ to Washington, to show that stark contrast between the two.

I must say, the human friends surprised me. Eric and Mike were hilarious, and I actually felt more sympathy for Jessica than I did in the books. Angela wasn't the meak, keep-to-herself kind of character in the movie like she was in the book, which I'm not sure how I feel about that...but she was still nice. One of my favorite characters now is definitely Charlie. I always felt like he was a little dumb and not observant at all (which is bad, being a sheriff and all), but in the movie there was something different about him. He was really funny, which was awesome, and he didn't seem unobservant, he just seemed like he was keeping all of his observances to himself. The scene where Bella is leaving at the end, almost brought me to tears, because Charlie looked so desparate to keep her there.

Okay, my first favorite scene was when Edward and Bella "go public." When Bella gets out of Edward's car (and he's rocking the Ray Bans), and everyone is looking around. The dialogue was hilarious ("Everyone's looking." "Not everyone. That guy isn't--oh wait, he just looked.") and when he puts his arm around Bella...insert swoon here. I loved it because it's such a natural, human embrace which is a huge step forward for their relationship...oh man, I loved that scene! I got all giggly and dazzled at that point haha.

Another favorite scene is the kiss scene (of course). Oh Lordy, Lordy...DID YOU SEE THAT KISS?!?!? I read in an interview one time that Robert Pattinson got so passionate during the scene, that he actually fell off the bed! I can see why! The chemistry between the two of them is so strong, that those few seconds it takes them to actually kiss I don't know if I want to faint from the heat or throw something at the screen for taking too long. And I love how once Bella started getting into it, Edward suddenly became a little rougher...that is until he flew off of her haha (oh, on a side note: I also saw a different interview with Robert, and he said he thinks he's a bad kisser. Um, note to Rob: if you want to practice that skill, call me up any time! I'm willing to work with you...). But it was just...oh, amazing. Perfection!

Favorite scene 3: I love the very end of the ballet scene when Bella thinks she's dying. The flashes and the montage of her life with Edward and before him...that whole part just took my breath away. I love the music in the background ("Let Me Sign"-Robert Pattinson) but my favorite thing about that scene was when Bella imagined Edward and her in the meadow while it was snowing. It was just so beautiful but heartbreaking at the same time. She was so willing to die because she knew that she protected the people she loved, and while she was dying all she could think about were those same people. She just wanted to be with Edward...I think it says a lot about love when you're dying and all you can think about is that other person. If I could watch that transition between the ballet studio scene and the hospital scene by itself and not know anything else about the movie or the books, I would be hooked. It was fantastic...snaps for Catherine Hardwick.

I love how they introduced the villians earlier in the story. That was one of my problems with the book: Edward and Bella are going along, no drama really...then BAM! Insert 3 vampires and all goes to Hell. If you think about it, the vampires don't show up until the very end, so it's hard to build enough tension in that time. I love how they introduced them earlier, because that way the audience knows they're coming...it's just a matter of when. Also, I like how they made the vampires more evil than they were in the books. If you think about it, at first James, Victoria and Laurent were living just like most other vampires--they were the normal ones. It was the Cullen family that were the odd vampires. And it's only because James liked Bella's scent that made them seem evil...however, in the movie they are more menacing. They kind of "play with their food" as Laurent put it, but the tease the humans they're going to eat...they don't just find their prey and kill it. Like I said, good job at vamping up the evil vampires!

I loved the music in the movie. Granted, I've had the soundtrack for a few weeks now and know it by heart, but I'm not gonna lie--hearing the music kind of made me a little weary. I didn't like some of the songs and thought they were too out-there for the movie. However, things worked wonderfully. My favorites would be: when they played "Full Moon" by the Black Ghosts during the scene when Bella leaves Arizona; "Spotlight" by Mute Math when Edward and Bella go public/their "getting to know each other" scenes; "Never Think" by Rob Pattinson during the dinner scene where Edward starts to reveal himself; "Supermassive Black Hole" during the baseball scene (this one I was nervous about. I love the song, but I was worried because if they used it at the wrong time, it could kind of come off as WAY too cheesy); and "Let Me Sign" by Rob during the transition from ballet studio scene to hospital scene. After seeing the movie, I have a new appreciation for the soundtrack, most definitely. Although I still hate "Go All the Way (Into the Twilight)" by Perry Farrell. It's just obnoxious and I don't think it fits the mood of the whole story (case in point: "you let me see (flash of my thigh)/ it was so smooth, sparkle and shine"...the song just sounds like a girl who wants to play games with a guy, and I don't think Edward and Bella's relationship is about games). Anyways, good job on the music.

Now for the things I didn't like: Jacob's wig, first of all. It made me want to punch it in the face. Ugh, it just bothered me so much. Second of all, I'd like more Cullen family, please! I thought Emmett was hilarious (Rosalie: Is she even Italian? Emmett: Well her name is Bella.) and Carlisle was the original Dr. McDreamy, but I'd like to see more of them. Jasper needs to lighten up...he looked like an angry deer in headlights the whole time. Rosalie didn't have that big of a part, but we all know her role will expand later on, as will Jasper's. Alice was good, but she could have been more...cheery I guess. I was sad that there was this one scene that was cut out from the original script, where Esme and Carlisle are watching Edward and Bella together and they talk about how they never thought Edward was ever going to find anyone...I just thought it'd be cool to see more of the Cullen family.

Anywhos, it's taken me like three days to finish the blog and post it haha. But I think I've had a good excuse...because I'M HOME!!!!!!!! Fun times for all!