The University News

Issue date: 12/1/08 Section: Culture

Media Credit: Photo courtesy Google Images "Twilight" took the U.S. by storm.

There's something darkly erotic about vampires, and "Twilight" knows it.

I get why people are going crazy over this, despite its countless flaws. It's a 15-year-old's dream. And embarrassing as it is, I'll say it: I actually liked parts of this movie.

I saw "Twilight" twice: once with no knowledge of the story, and once again after reading the novel upon which the movie is based. I won't say I liked it better the second time, but I certainly appreciated different parts.

Though the film fails to capture parts of the novel, it's easier to patch together the somewhat choppy story when you know the emotional foundation that supports it.

"Twilight" follows Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) when she moves to a Pacific Northwest town and meets the mysterious Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). The two are swept into a passionate and unorthodox romance: Edward is a vampire.

Though he lives as a vampire "vegetarian," ignoring the draw of human blood, as the pair gets closer, their lives grow exponentially more difficult. And when other vampires come to town and set their sights on Bella, her life is left for Edward alone to protect.

Audiences will simply melt at the sizzling chemistry between Stewart and Pattinson. You could actually explode with their desire, and I'm pretty sure they're acting is not good. It's hard to think what this movie would have been their obvious mutual attraction.

The first hour was on fire with electric sexual tension, which eventually disappoints as the film is kept strictly PG (though I've heard rumors the next installments of the series have a little more action in store).

Pattinson is the obvious star of this movie. His Edward is unshakably confident and witty, but it's the absolute pain and confusion shining in his brooding eyes that will make him the desire of every young girl in the country. It's unquestionably beautiful to watch.

Unfortunately, that might be the movies' only saving grace.

Though the relationship burns with the actors' chemistry, there is absolutely zero development between the two. It's as if they decided to throw their lives away on a hopeless romance without ever actually meeting each other. Sadly, director Catherine Hardwicke lets the relationship rely too heavily on their chemistry, wasting any potential of a real romance.

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