I've been aware of the so-called "Twilight series madness" for some time now, but I was quite skeptical about reading the book that started it all...And subsequent sequels. I don't know exactly why. Maybe it's the fact it's a vampire YA and as far as I'm concerned, a vampire book has to have loads of "steam" and blood drinking. And you won't find that in a young adult novel.
I'm fully aware I'm risking quite an outraged uproar with what I'm about to write, but it needs to be said. I need an advice after all.
On Saturday I decided to go see the movie
Twilight. In this time of recession we have to look at cost and save whenever possible, so the movie is cheaper than getting the book - it's impossible to get in at the library until next year, I checked - and it's just two hours instead of four/five I'd spend reading.
Well, I don't exactly know just what expression I wore upon exiting the cinema, but my friends tell me it was like I ate something that didn't agree with me.
The movie didn't agree with me, that's the thing!
I'm never getting those two hours back, that's for sure and if the movie is anything like the book (which I guess it is - it is based on it!), I'm quite glad I didn't get to read it. The story was all over the place, I had the impression the characters had no idea just what the heck they were doing most of the time, the long looks and silences were reminiscent of some 1980 South American telenovela, the dialogues were sappy and utterly unrealistic (isn't this supposed to be a book for young adults?!?)...And if the guy playing Edward was the best of 5000 guys that auditioned, I can't even imagine how much worse those other poor souls must have sucked.
And the make-up people totally screwed the boy up. With all that lipstick on he was just a dress shy from twirling his purse on a corner alongside Julia Robert's
Pretty Woman.
The movie had
only three good scenes: when Edward drives Bella to school for the first time (when they "go public"), the amazing thunderstorm/baseball scene, and the final fight scene at the ballet studio.
Now I'm faced with a dilemma. I'm not a glutton for punishment or anything, it's just that I'm incredibly curious, and despite the debacle the movie is (I loved the soundtrack, though), I'm very, very, very interested in the book...Only, I don't know whether the creators of the movie ruined the book (how can you make a good movie in only 48 days?) or is the book the sucky reason the movie sucked in the end.
Is it worth reading it and (maybe) correct the horrible impression the movie left or is it better if I don't get even close to the book?
Maybe those of you who've read it, and possibly seen the movie, can give me an advice?
___
Update 03/08:
Last night I saw the movie in Italian - don't ask - and I couldn't believe what a change the language made for Edward. Robert Pattison's delivery was dull, and quite painful to behold, since he appeared he had something stuck up his back door, yet hearing his part in Italian made all the difference. Don't get me wrong, the lines were still as sappy as in English, but the dubbing actor at least made an effort to convey more than just "I've got something stuck up my butt" pain...And his voice...Oh, boy. That is how Edward should sound!
It still isn't the greatest movie ever made, but the Italian version was a vast improvement. I'm not as averse to reading the books now, and I'm sure I'll hear the Italian actors voice in my head as I read Edward's lines.