Two New Twilight Clips Show Giggling, More Staring

Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on July 12, 2008

Twilight Cast

Admittedly, I am not the resident Twilight expert here at FSR. But I am the guy who writes a lot of the news stories — so every once in a while I am going to have to say something about it. And having never read the book, I am finding it very difficult to see the appeal. In fact, the marketing really seems to be throwing me off — from the faux sexiness of the recent Entertainment Weekly cover to the longing looks and tween-ish giggling in the two new video clips below, I have been given very little insight into this film. As well, it seems to be getting tons of love from both MTV and the horror community — so is it a teeny-bopper romance story with a vampire backdrop or is it a vampire story that just so happens to be about teenagers?

No matter what the tone of the book(s), I am most interested in how it translates to a good, stand-alone film. Therefore I am committing to abstaining from reading “Twilight” in book form until I see the film. As you may know if you read our site, our East Coast Deputy Editor Cole Abaius has already taken on the “Twilight” books (I am told that he is almost done with the second one). So my goal is to go into the film with no knowledge of the books and see how my take differs from his. It should bring an interesting balance to our coverage of the film when it hits theaters on December 12.

And now, as mentioned above, here are a few new Twilight video clips. The first is a sneak peek of a sneak peek that is included on the DVD for the film Penelope — which, by the way, was a pretty good flick:

The second clip was seen during the broadcast of the MTV Movie Awards. It features Kristen Stewart as Bella, being thrown around by one of the baddie vampires before Edward (Robert Pattinson) shows up to defend her honor and whatnot:

So as you can see, there is some substance behind my concern with Twilight — I get it, the books have a huge followingand everyone is excited to see the movie. But what if you are someone who won’t have read the books and is going to be led blindly into the film based on all the buzz alone? What are you going to get out of it. I suppose we shall see.

Of all the stuff you have seen from the Twilight film so far, what are your impressions?

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Cole Abaius

1) When you say I'm almost done with the second book, you mean to say that I've finished the three that have been published already.

2) These clips are decent, but really poorly packaged. No commentary. No context. And yeah, a lot of giggling. Since when do we show interview time with the two main actors and don't have them say anything? It's probably just indicative of a smaller producer (like Summit) not being as good at PR as a major studio. Hopefully that doesn't translate to the film quality.

Sara Awesome

I think the production looks cheap -- the visual style leaves a lot to be desired -- and I
think the books are anti-feminism. Bella is a ridiculously weak and uninteresting character,
and she couldn't carry the books, so how can she carry a film? I'm sick of helpless female
characters that don't want to live if their love interests aren't around. That is sooo 17th
century.

Lilly Anne

Wow the first one is tough! Um I think its a little of both. While Bella and Edward are teens I think if they were older the story might be a different, but it would still be good and while it is a vampire story it doesnt run on the vampire stuff but I dont think its a backdrop.

For the second question, the movie is warming up to me slowly. I will be excited when it comes out but im worried I will be critiquing it the entire time like I did with the Harry Potters. But I always end up liking both in there own special way. As far as what ive seen it looks fantastic!!!! Bella and Edward after thinking about it, look like Bella and Edward and all the Cullens look just like the Cullens in my mind. So, so far, I have not been disapointed by the flim.

Briana

While I think that the books are fantastic, and most definitely NOT "teeny-bopper," the movie doesn't seems to be holding up to my expectations. While I think that Robert as Edward will be fantastic, Kirsten just isn't my favorite actress, as with Bella not being my favorite character. Overall, I'll go see it in theaters, but only for my love of a good romance story. (I'm also excited for Penelope - such a good movie!)

Sara Awesome: There's a reason why Stephenie Meyer has Bella reading books such as Wuthering Heights and quoting plays like Romeo and Juliet.

Brinkley

First of all I am a huge fan of all 4 books, or 3 soon to be 4. I will have to agree that the movie may not appeal to the less intelligent people out there who don't read, but I am really excited for the books that I love so much to be brought to life. I think that if you don't read the books first, you will have no idea about the concept of Bella and Edward's relationship.
Please do trash the movie!!! No, it is not a action packed dude movie, and no it is not your typical sex-packed romantic comedy, but regardless it will be seen by the TRUE fans who are literally in love with the characters. And its not just for teens, LOTS of ages read it. My grandma is even reading it. Just because it is mostly about teenagers doesn't mean they are not relatable to adult audiences. Thanks for reading!!! I cannot wait for 12-12-08!

Neil Miller

@Brinkley

This is my point. What I am saying is that there are a lot of folks who will not read the book before seeing the movie. It doesn't necessarily mean that they are less intelligent, just that for some, their first exposure will be through the film's marketing, thus driving them into theaters to meet Edward and Bella for the first time. It doesn't mean that they don't read, just that they've never read Twilight -- and there are people who have never read Twilight, they do exist.

That said, I am a firm believer that a filmmaker who is adapting a book to film should always strive to make the film accessible to all viewers. In a sense, if the film is successful then I shouldn't have to read Twilight in order to enjoy and understand the film. In fact, in this day-and-age of constant adaptation, the film is often the catalyst -- a good film can make people want to go out and read the book. It happened to me with The Mist and Iron Man. Seeing the films made me want to go out and find more.

As well, I have a feeling that there were people who went out and bought the Harry Potter books solely on the basis that they enjoyed the first film. And at this point I am not sure if Twilight is going to be that sort of film -- but I am not ready to stand firm on that as of yet, as we have seen so little up to this point. It does worry me, though.

Sammi K

I was one of those fans that started reading the HP series after seeing the first movie and i can understand Neil's concern, but it still months away. Just the fact that there is this much buzz about the movie already is a good sign that tickets will be bought whether the movie is good or not (and that's the really what Summit cares about). Whether the final project can appeal to those who haven't read the series definitely a big question, but as of right now these trailers and behind the scene stuff are meant to appeal to people who've read the books and wanna see a movie made of it. Who else would know to google Twilight and check MTV blogs for a movie so far in advance? And hopefully if this story intrigues new people they will read the books before Dec. (they have more than enough time). The book is ALWAYS better than the movie!

To Sara's response about the books being 17th century and anti-feminist, I'd like to remind you that Bella is just a human that can only dream of being powerful, strong, etc. like the vampires (and that clearly is the point of the story). Stephenie's response to those who feel that Bella is weak... is: Bella's story is not done yet. And honestly, Bella was ready to sacrifice herself in the third book, how can you call that weak? Bella is also supposed to represent a normal girl in an abnormal situation; if she were anything more than that (like amazing beautiful and popular), she would lose her appeal. Granted you are entitled to dislike the story, but it seems that your idea of Bella isn't the same idea Stephenie had in mind. [sorry when ppl say things like this it really annoys me]

Elisabeth

to Sara Awesome: I couldn't help but comment on your post. I'm not trying to sound like you're not entitled to give out criticism to the book's character. The fact that you find Bella uninteresting is your right. I'm not gonna say anything on that. When you interpreted Bella's character as also being "weak", I did not get that from her character at all. It's hard for me to explain it because English is not my primary language so it's hard to express what I really mean. But as Sammi K said "Bella was ready to sacrifice herself to in the third book". Bella is strong when it comes for her loved ones. She has a low self-esteem and I think that's why you think she is weak because the book is in her perspective but if you look beyond her words you will see what I mean. A lot of criticisms also say Edward is described as too perfect. But most people forget the book is entirely in Bella's perspective.. and she is in love with Edward. When we are in love we go crazy like that sometimes. I think that is the beauty of the book. I just feel like I had to point that out because a lot of people do not get the book at all. I hope I make sense. My English is kinda bad.

Robert Fure

As a member of the Horror Community and someone who hasn't read the books, I can say I have 0.0 interest in this film. Kristen Stewart looks cute though. I will not be in line for this one and I think a lot of real horror fans will see this for what it really is - a teenage romance movie - and stay away.

Roxie

I also have to disagree with Sara's anti-feminist assessment (although you're far from alone, even in the fandom ppl consider Bella to be 'uninteresting').

As Sammi K put forth, Bella is a VERY HUMAN girl thrust into some super human situations. She isn't helpless, she's human. This is also a very frustrating situation for Bella. She states herself that she's tired of not being able to help and can't wait to actually be able to fend for herself.

Also as stated before by Elisabeth, Bella is strong emotionally when it comes to protecting those she loves. She's just no slayer.

Other's point to Bella's cooking for her father all the time as "anti-feminist", which I think is unfair. Bella's not cooking because she's female. Nor does she or her father think she should be cooking b/c she's female. She's cooking if simply not eat her father's "cooking". Now, why dad can't cook, we can totally get into..but I don't see this activity as "anti-feminist"

Now, as to questions about the packaging we've still got 5 months until the release...so it might be just a little to early to judge. To me it seems they're doing a bit of fanservice to get the fans into it and buzzing EVEN MORE about it, word of mouth and all. However, I'm sure as the clock ticks down, it'll get better and more pointed to those who haven't read the books.

I am very excited for the movie as it seems Kristen and Rob have some excellent chemistry. I'm also excited to see how they present the stories that take place outside of Bella's head. I love the stuff I've seen from the film! However, I've seen a lot more than what's posted here b/c I'm such a ginormous fan. You might want to look up the stuff on Twilight Lexicon's youtube channel (which is under some other name, but search for it and you'll find it easily) as well as their (printed) interviews on the site.

Twilight is a love story involving vampires and teenagers. I know that doesn't answer your question, but I have to say the books are much more than just "I'm in love with a vamp and it's sexy dangerous". There's questions about choices and what humanity actually means, what does it mean to have a soul, etc..

Two New Twilight Clips Show Giggling, More Staring

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