STAR RATINGS EXPLAINED
Unmissable
Excellent
Good
Poor
Tragic

POSTER ART

Click poster to enlarge

More posters to select

FILM DETAILS

Certificate 12A

Cast Kristen Stewart Robert Pattinson Ashley Greene Peter Facinelli Elizabeth Reaser Jackson Rathbone Nikki Reed Kellan Lutz Taylor Lautner.

Directors Catherine Hardwicke.

Screenwriters Melissa Rosenberg Mark Lord.

Running Time 122 minutes

LATEST FILM REVIEWS Shun Li And The Poet I Am Breathing Like Someone In Love Spike Island Stuck In Love 5 STAR REVIEWS My Neighbour Totoro Gatekeepers , The Stoker In The House Lincoln

Twilight
Girl meets vampire. Vampire fancies girl. Uh-oh….

Tweet

Plot
When Bella (Stewart) relocates to the drizzly town of Forks, she meets the Cullens, a family of vampires who can control their desire to feed on humans. She falls in love with Edward Cullen (Pattinson), who sees in her the soulmate he’s been searching for. However, so appealing is her scent, he must battle his desire to drink her blood, the heroine akin to the vampire’s own personal heroin.

Review

About three things the Twilight producers were absolutely positive. First, Twilight was a vampire tale. Second, there was a part of it that thirsted for teenage blood. And third, adolescent girls were unconditionally and irrevocably in love with it. Indeed, American booksellers have hailed the author of the saga, which runs through four novels, as the new J. K. Rowling — Stephenie Meyer’s first instalment selling more than five million copies in the US alone, and thereby helping to fill the void left by the departed Boy Who Lived. The fact that the film version arrives Stateside in what has become the pre-Christmas ‘Potter slot’ will only boost the comparisons.

In contrast to the wizardry franchise, however, the director here manages to improve on the film’s papery progenitor. While a succession of helmers have struggled to condense Rowling’s ever-expanding tomes into a digestible screen serving, Catherine Hardwicke hits top gear from the outset, rattling through the early exposition and never once allowing the painful teen brooding that floods Meyer’s book to overflow into insipidness. Meyer is a devout Mormon, her tale a metaphor for carnal abstinence, allowing young girls to splash around in a pool of obsessive love without having to swim in the turbulent waters of scary teenage sex.

The author, who had final cut, thought Hardwicke’s first cut a little too steamy, hence the interaction between Bella and Edward becomes even more intimate, Hardwicke employing close-ups and avoiding the exposed flesh captured by the wider lenses. The director, of course, understands the teen audience — consider Thirteen or Lords Of Dogtown — and she conjures one of the most beautiful films of the year. Former Potterer Robert Pattinson (Cedric in Goblet Of Fire and Order Of The Phoenix) is staggeringly handsome, as are the rest of his vampire brethren. The backdrop, meanwhile, the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest, is truly breathtaking, Hardwicke sending her stars hurtling up towering trees and sinking into deep moss.

The lead performance too is strong, Panic Room and Into The Wild star Kristen Stewart consistently excellent. She is the vehicle through which audiences are carried on their journey, and her keen intelligence prompts a mature performance. Bella is both vulnerable and strong, a three-time damsel in distress, requiring Edward’s white-faced knight to save her, and yet courageous enough to surrender to danger and send an immortal bloodsucker into a frenzy of desire. Said bloodsucker Pattinson struggles at times — it’s a demanding first lead role, requiring him to project a perennial restrained desire. He settles down eventually, but not before he’s treated us to a series of hard-faced pouts.

Despite the presence of vampires, Twilight is a romance, not a horror, and anyone hoping to sink their teeth into a juicy gore-fest will be disappointed. There is action, of course, ignited by the arrival of a trio of wandering neck-biters (who, needless to say, are impossibly good-looking) that feed on the locals and lust after Bella’s blood, leading to a showdown in a be-mirrored ballet studio. Hardwicke sensibly introduces these rogues early. And yet, while she does have action credentials (working on Three Kings before shooting Dogtown), the sequences are occasionally predictable, the wire-work sometimes obvious.

She also struggles with the depiction of vampires in direct sunlight. Meyer’s saga was prompted by a dream, in which she saw Bella and Edward lying in the forest, sunlight twinkling on the vampire’s exposed flesh. In truth, Hardwicke would have liked to exorcise the scene, but it’s too important to the author. She turned to ILM, although despite their best efforts, Edward’s spangled skin looks a little odd.

Write Your Review
To write your review please login or register.

Your Reviews

Average user rating for Twilight

Talk about a shitfest

you know a movie sucks when count von count from sesame street is scarier than the vamp in that movie ... More

Posted by elmwood2309 at 22:23, 11 November 2009 | Report This Post

Vomit

The review that made me stop buying the Empire mag. I'd been teetering, some of the reviews had been really kind to some awful movies (thank God the news section is still top notch ;)) but I went to see this after a four star empire review and I can't remember a movie making me feel so angry. Absolute shite from start to finish and not a single likeable character. POISON! ... More

Posted by sephiroth7 at 11:06, 19 October 2009 | Report This Post

RE: Incredible

L: augh@gmx.comhis was incredible. One of the best vampire films ever made, asterclass in the art of filmmakingon November for New Moon. And the gal that played Bella, Kristen Stewart woz awesome sp; Yoooouuuu haven't watched many films have you? ... More

Posted by captainrentboy at 09:34, 12 October 2009 | Report This Post

Twilight..

As a whole, I feel 'Twilight' as a Film doesn't quite do justice to the novel. Personally, I loved the books (baring in mind I'm speaking from the prospective of a geeky teenage girl here) and there where moments within the Film where I thought, 'Wow, this is exactly what I imagined'. The casting I feel was also pretty decent. I think the majority of the female population would agree with me when I say Robert Pattinson is more then perfect for the role of the sexy bloodsucker Edward Cullen.... More

Posted by LittleKathh at 02:55, 10 October 2009 | Report This Post

Incredible

This was incredible. One of the best vampire films ever made, and a masterclass in the art of filmmaking. Roll on November for New Moon. And the gal that played Bella, Kristen Stewart woz awesome ... More

Posted by mark09laugh@gmx.com at 11:40, 08 October 2009 | Report This Post

Twilight : A must see

I've watched Twilight and i was impressed by the whole film of a young innocent girl falling for a vampire there was plenty of chemistry between the characters: Bella and Edward i must say. But i still don't see the fascination of Robert Pattinson he's okay but not like one of the greatest actors out there. ... More

Posted by deppfanatic at 17:46, 04 October 2009 | Report This Post

RE: Not Bad

Finally watched this at the weekend. It was crap. Vampires walking around during the day, look like crystal in the sun, shite. No fangs! Shit story.   Having said that, New Moon could be more intersting with the wolves. With the Cullens being such unlikeable arseholes I hope the lycans blitz 'em. ... More

Posted by CORLEONE at 11:31, 21 September 2009 | Report This Post

RE: Not Bad

L: blackduck Ok, as a 33 year old guy this clearly wasn't aimed at me, but sat down to watch it last night (payback for bringing herself to GI Joe). Wasn't expecting to enjoy it, but didn't expect to hate it as much as I did. I can live with the sparkly Vampires, ropy effects and sub Dawson Creek script. But the movie made no sense. is a 70 year old killer, who routinely stalks his Bella (in case she getsa in trouble) and sneaks into her bedroom to watch her sleep. His big romantic gesture... More

Posted by Fidget at 13:32, 17 September 2009 | Report This Post

RE: Twilight

This movie was a complete embarrassment to film-making. I recall when Pattinson and Stewart were in the middle of the forest, the camera angles were just everywhere. It went one way than another and then some other direction. Stewart's acting is atrocious. She displayed the same facial features with every situation. And was it just me or did she look cross-eyed when "Edward" was sucking the "venom" out of her bloodstream. It was too funny to take serious. None of the actors suit the description... More

Posted by Ezzieblue at 23:21, 15 September 2009 | Report This Post

RE: Twilight

!?! I have to say, I disagree with that.. The 'Twilight Saga' of books is amazing by Stephenie Meyer.. but the film was a very poor adaptation of the first book to say the least. I enjoyed it to a certain point, but was still hugely disappointed. Lets hope the 2nd film, New Moon, will be better.. which is released at the end of the year. ... More

Posted by _twilight_obsessed_ at 20:55, 15 September 2009 | Report This Post

At the beginning of the twilight hysteria I also thought that the whole thing is just rubbish and totally crap. But then I watched the film out of curiosity and I loved it! Of course it's not going to win an oscar for best film and acting but that's not the purpose of this movie.Personally, I can't wait to see New Moon!! ... More

Posted by FanaticalAboutFilm at 17:27, 15 September 2009 | Report This Post

RE: Twilight

t es some of the most beautiful cinematography, adroitly complementing the cold passion at the heart of the story, it fits the color scheme of our protagonists: the main characters stand out for their pallor, their icy facades which strangely highlight the red of the lips and the gold of their irises. Their surroundings are always cloudy, giving the green of the foliage an intensity that keeps you remembering the forces at the heart of the story. In addition there is an amazing soundtrack highl... More

Posted by Gwilthyunman at 15:01, 21 August 2009 | Report This Post

RE: Not Bad

Ok, as a 33 year old guy this clearly wasn't aimed at me, but sat down to watch it last night (payback for bringing herself to GI Joe). Wasn't expecting to enjoy it, but didn't expect to hate it as much as I did. I can live with the sparkly Vampires, ropy effects and sub Dawson Creek script. But the movie made no sense. Edward is a 70 year old killer, who routinely stalks his Bella (in case she getsa in trouble) and sneaks into her bedroom to watch her sleep. His big romantic gesture is not kil... More

Posted by blackduck at 13:12, 20 August 2009 | Report This Post

RE: Not Bad

hi .. well i have to agree with some of the comments.. the acting wasn't that impressive. but the film wasn't that bad.. and it's very close to the book! i d give it 3 out of 5 ... More

Posted by Kapa at 20:23, 15 August 2009 | Report This Post

Not Bad

Pretty true to the book, some of the effects are a bit wobbly, but Robert Pattinson, pouts his way throught he film nicely and is pretty close to how I imagined Edward in my head. Kristen Stewart is better as Bella, both stong and vulnerable. The other vamps are impossibly beautiful, but then they were written that way by Meyer. Overall pretty good effort (I am a 36 year old mother) but not as cool vampy as Buffy or Angel. ... More

Posted by Scarlett OHara at 19:53, 12 July 2009 | Report This Post

Utter Rubbish

Am a 15 years and there is possibly nothing i have witnessed in my live that compares with this movie. A complete waste of time and i cant be bothered to mention all its flaws. A complete ripoff of the classical vampire movies, however 95% of its popularity comes from the so called 'eye candy' from Pattinson. Those who are able to see through the dreamy vampire bloke with pasty coloured skin and wearing cherry chapstick can appreciate contemporary cinema with taste. i can't say im i... More

Posted by Taylor1707 at 13:53, 09 July 2009 | Report This Post

RE: Con of the year!!!

The audience were rather spoonfed the plot. Right down to the blatent "Evil eyes" Patinson and the blatent Werewolf kid. Overall it wasn't a great film, I can see why lasses might like it more than lads though. However, I did enjoy the use of MUSE when they were playing baseball ... More

Posted by BishopQuaker at 20:44, 05 July 2009 | Report This Post

Con of the year!!!

Twilight has got to be the CON of the year. The chemistry between the lead is only evident through the films lazy, juvenile dialogue. Catherine Hardwicke has stepped down from her impressive directorial abilities in Thirteen and Lords of Dogtown and gone for the money, only she needs to use some of that cash to find a better casting agent. Vampires are NOT cute and cuddly and they are not supposed to look like the make up artist slapped some effing talc powder on Robert Pattinson(or whatever hi... More

Posted by mrlips at 21:28, 03 July 2009 | Report This Post

Twilight

brutal acting,crap directing,.....storyline,shit effects,terrible editing.just watch the lost boys if u want to watch a half decent teenage vampire movie cause is the biggest load of shit i`ve ever seen it hurts me to even give one star i want my money back now ... More

Posted by kido at 20:49, 02 July 2009 | Report This Post

It's bad..... so bad

It has to be the worst thing my eyes have ever encountered not only is it ......but the fact it just reeks of Emo styling makes it even worse. Sparkling Vampires? Vampire Baseball? Seriously who even gives a shit apart from those brain dead drooling girls who wants Pattison as there own its just pointless buy Nosferatu or Let the right one in then ye'll see how its done. ... More

Posted by elmwood2309 at 12:32, 23 June 2009 | Report This Post

wasted time watching this last night, nothing happens and it looks like it was edited with a chainsaw, utter teenage turd and there are more to come :-( ... More

Posted by Sinister_One at 18:28, 21 June 2009 | Report This Post

this film is a pretty loyal adaptation, some of the action scenes are a bit dodgy/laughable and some scenes in the film needed to be as expanded as they are in the book, but it definitely does not warrant two stars. if you're a fan of the books i don't think there's a whole lot to complain about. there are a million worse adaptations out there...harry potter. ... More

Posted by Be.86 at 21:08, 18 June 2009 | Report This Post

spiffing

basically i gave it 5 stars because it deserves more than the average of 2, but its quite a good film. One of my favourite books and definitely one of the most anticipated films of the year (by me at least.) Some scenes are laughable but others are really well acted. Overall- good ... More

Posted by smelly cheese at 20:41, 12 June 2009 | Report This Post

Terrible

but better than the book, which is saying something. I sat through both book and fiction, and despite being a teenage girl, I can not like such tripe. Honestly, the entire franchise is an overhyped, shallow piece of badly written fiction, with no character development, no chemistry and it should be avoided at all costs. ... More

Posted by MovieAddict247 at 17:57, 06 June 2009 | Report This Post

RE: UGH

Seen this film last night and all I can say is ...UTTER, UTTER SHITE!!! I like vampire films, but this was just so f***ing boring. I think people who like this film will be mostly young teenage girls who know f***all about films and only care about Robert Pattinson who seems to walk about the film as if he is constipated. Anyway, each to thier own, as a girlie chick flick I suppose it will please some, IMO, it's one of THE worst films ever, and I've watched an Uwe Boll film! ... More

Posted by broonie at 13:25, 05 June 2009 | Report This Post

Previous PageNext Page

CURRENT HIGHLIGHTS
		Rila Fukushima On The Wolverine The film's Yukio on working with Jackman and working as a hitman...
		The Empire Podcast: Joss Whedon Special Much ado about Avengers 2...
		Full Q&A: Steven Spielberg And George Lucas On Hollywood's Future 'We're in a mess but of the chaos will come some amazing things'
		Man Of Steel Interviews: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Zack Snyder, Michael Shannon & Antje Traue The cast and director of the Superman reboot spill the beans...
		Video: Lily Collins Talks Stuck In Love The star on playing a writer, her literary ambitions and the Mortal Instruments film...
		Exclusive: Empire Meets Dan Stevens The Summer In February star talks celebrity Downton fans and things he's rubbish at...
		Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa Trailer Breakdown What happens when the chat hits the fan?

Get the Empire iPad edition today Subscribe and save up to 44% on annual digital subscription Print & digital packages Buy single issues Subscribe to Empire magazine today Get six issues of Empire for £15 and save up to 37% All subscription offers

Follow @empiremagazine