The film adaptation of Twilight tells the story of everyday teenager Isabella “Bella” Swan’s blossoming relationship with turn-of-the-century vampire Edward Cullen. The film’s sequel, New Moon, continues their story with a Romeo and Juliet paralleled love triangle. June 2010 will see the release of a third sequel, Eclipse. The fourth novel, Breaking Dawn, has yet to be adapted for the big screen.
The Twilight movies center around the lives of the ceaselessly beautiful Cullen clan of vampires, and the cast definitely delivers in aesthetics: starring Robert Pattinson as Edward and featuring Peter Facinelli as Carlisle Cullen, Ashley Greene as Alice Cullen, Kellen Lutz as Emmett Cullen, Jackson Rathbone as Jasper Hale, Elizabeth Reaser as Esme Cullen, and Nikki Reed as Rosalie Hale as his vampire family. Beyond the Cullens, a number of vampires are introduced throughout the movies through the acting talents of many different actors, including Dakota Fanning, Edi Gathegi, Cam Gigandet, and Michael Sheen.
Edward’s love interest, Bella, is played by young but accomplished actress Kristen Stewart. The story takes place in Forks, Washington, after Bella decides to leave Arizona to move in with her awkward but loving father, Police Chief Charlie Swan. Chief Swan is played by Billy Burke, who has no idea that the very pale, beautiful Cullens are actually vampires.
Bella attends high school with Edward and his siblings at the local public school, Forks High School. None of the residents of Forks know that people they live, work, and attend school with are actually vampires, but the townsfolk all share a natural tendency to shy away from the vampires. Despite her lack of popularity back in Arizona, Bella quickly makes friends at her new school: Jessica Stanley, played by Anna Kendrick; Angela Weber, played by Christian Serratos; and Mike Newton, played by Michael Welch.
Bella becomes close friends with Jacob Black, the son of one of Chief Swan’s best friends. Jacob is played by Taylor Lautner, and Jacob has his own supernatural secrets revealed in the New Moon magic movie and becomes an integral fixture of the story.
Both fans of the series and newcomers can enjoy this tale of devoted love and unending trust, but newcomers probably won’t follow some of the details. Newcomers should also know that the series isn’t just romance; action and suspense are also heavily present.
Twilight grossed $35.7 million on its opening day and has since grossed nearly $385 million worldwide at the box office. DVD sales have brought in over $186 million. New Moon set records with its opening domestic gross of $72.7 million. The DVD will be available March 20, 2010.
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