Don't let my defense of the actors mislead you, the film is not good. I don't say that because it's teenage girl fodder, I could care less who the movie is aimed at. I say on pure cinematic achievement and it fails at every level. Essentially what it boils down to is there is no conflict or any real problem for anyone to face. Edward Cullen is an immortal who is gorgeous to look at. He's intelligent and athletic and doesn't really have any problems. When Bella starts snooping around he finally confides in her what he really is, "You want to see what I really am?!" as if he's hiding some terrible dark secret. He then steps into the sunlight and becomes even more beautiful. That's his big horrible tragedy; he sparkles like diamonds. Okay, but he's hundreds of years old and still having to live the life of a teenage, that should eat at him right? I mean, that should provide some really cool duality to the character? Nope, as old as he is his personality is as old as his appearance. He behaves, thinks, and feels just like any typical angsty teenager. Meanwhile, Bella just moves to town and like most kids, should feel like an outsider and should have to overcome some sort of conflict. Being a teenager is tough and it's even tougher in a new place. Well, it is for the rest of us anyway. Bella is instantly liked by everyone. The movie is about nothing more than these two people getting to know each other. What should be covered in a ninety-second montage is the premise of the entire movie. The point of a movie is for characters to overcome obstacles and to grow and change by the end of the movie. None of that occurs. They simply go about their teenage lives, briefly fight the so-called "evil" vampires (you know, the ones that actually do what vampires are known for doing), and then go to the prom. This is not a movie, this is simply an excuse for girls to gather together and swoon over Robert Pattinson.
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