TWILIGHT...REALLY

Now we've all heard of the best selling TWILIGHT series- author Stephanie Meyer's claim to fame or should I say fortune- and as expected an inevitable screen adaptation has finally made it's way. But for someone who hasn't read the novel and has only seen the film, I've got to ask...What's all the fuss about? Sure Twilight has an intriguing premise-looks to reinvent the vampire myth-vampires sparkle in the sun, have alabaster, milky skin, superhero strength and speed, can read minds and track scents like hunting dogs. Here our vamp Edward Cullen has swooning good looks and Bella the makings of a Jane Austin heroine-what would a romance be like between such a vampire whose earnest about not killing humans and a human whose more intrigued by the vampire way of life than the vampire himself? Well...not too convincing.

The moody atmosphere and the natural chemistry between the two leads gives tweens something to cheer about-but what could have been the big Hollywood romance of the year- comes off as a trashy Mills & Boon romance for teens on film-rushed and forced-Bella and Edward instantly fall in love (of course it's love at first sight for Bella at least and for Edward it's food at first sight-but that too will soon predictably change) Using silences, long extended pauses, the close up, blowing hair- an unnatural, melodramatic intensity is created. The moody atmosphere of the film is constantly disrupted by both these characters spouting some of the lamest, cheesiest, unintentionally funny dialogue I've heard. When Edward says to Bella " I'm the Lion and your the lamb" or when he takes her on his back in the classic Vikram and Betal piggy back-Edward has you cringing as he says "Hang on to me Spider Monkey"- and when that is followed up with some of the not so special, special effect with the two jumping and flying in the air supernatural nonsense- I was laughing at the stupidity of it all.

It's an extremely confused screenplay-indecisive about it's focus-should it play up the supernatural element or really focus on the romance.And apart from the generally poor characterizations, useless characters and underwritten villains- you just don't FEEL the love.

Neha