Twilight by Catherine Hardwicke

Hardwicke, Catherine. Twilight. Summit Entertainment, 2009. DVD. PG-13. 122 minutes.

Plot Summary

Isabella "Bella" Swan, has just move to Washington from Arizona. Her step-father is trying to make it pro in baseball so her mother and him are traveling. Bella has to move back to her fathers who she has not seen since she was little. She is the new girl at her high school. The Collins, Rosaline, Emmet, Alice, Jasper, and Edward, are all adopted brother and sisters that stick to themselves. Bella is quickly intrigued by Edward who at first seems disgusted to be around he but eventually warms up to her. After Edward miraculously saves her from an accident that she should have died in, Bella beings to question who and what he really is. Bella and Edward find it really hard to stay away from each other; they are both lured by one another. Jacob, her childhood friend, is Native American and tells her a legend that causes her to inquire more about the Collins. Bella believes that Edward might not be human after all but a vampire. Bella is trying to live her life as a normal teenager but Edwards secret puts her life in danger but Bella does not care since she is completely and utterly in love with him.

Critical evaluation

The graphics were horrible, the acting is cheesy but great, and Edward and Bellas relationship is anything but healthy. For a very popular book that really did not want to put a lot of money into the graphics or make up. The scene when Edward carried Bella to the top of the mountain was the worst graphics ever, it was actually humorous. The characters faces were way too pale and pasty looking. Bella school friends really captured the essence of being teens. Edward and Bella depend too much on one another. They are in love but they are also teens which could send a wrong message to teens watching this movie. Relationships that are co-dependent are not healthy nor does it mean that they are really in love.

Readers Annotations

Bella is your ordinary new girl in high school who falls in love with Edward, your ordinary vampire. Edward must protect Bella to keep her safe from "carnivorous" vampires.

Information About the Author

Catherine did not expect the movie to do as well as it did. The success came as a surprise but she is no longer going to continue the Twilight series.

Genre

Sci/fi fantasy

Curriculum Ties

English

Booktalking Ideas

1) Cliché vampires and the vampires portrayed in the movie. Differences
2) Edwards point of view, first narrator

Reading Level/Interest Age

13+

Why Book Included

I am a huge vampire fan so I wanted to see if teen vampires of today’s generations were portrayed the same.