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Review: Twilight arrives on DVD with bloodless bonus materials
Anyone expecting more from a home-video version of Twilight than the chance to watch the movie ad infinitum may be disappointed by Summit's two-disc DVD/ one-disc Blu-ray, both out March 21. Even though the set seems designed as a deliberate thank-you to fans, its bonus materials fail to reciprocate the thought, time and energy that the series' hordes of followers put into examining every aspect of the Twilight universe.
As a bona fide cultural phenomenon, the technical and artistic merits of the movie itself have already been determined by its fans and detractors. Sadly, this new release does little more than reinforce those initial impressions, be they good or bad.
The commentary tracks, featuring director Catherine Hardwicke and stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, offers superficial or technical insights at best, unless you count the discovery that Stewart's own relentless self-consciousness makes her an ideally suited Bella. Otherwise, Pattinson spends much of the time lampooning his character's self-seriousness, while Hardwicke marvels at the end result without providing any sense that her sensitivity and insight into teenagers from one film to the next is more than mere coincidence.
A seven-part documentary purports to delve into the production itself, but despite a wealth of behind-the-scenes footage that is virtually indistinguishable from making-of material on any other effects-laden epic, no one, not even Twilight creator Stephenie Meyer, manages to qualify why this series struck such a nerve. That said, the "Comic-Con Phenomenon" featurette certainly documents the overwhelming, Beatlesque mania that accompanied the cast and crew's appearance at the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con.
But for those unsold on the meaning of the self-conscious longing of Bella and the forbidden romanticism of Edward Cullen, the set might have served a greater purpose had it bothered to look a little deeper or ask these rabid fans more serious questions than "How much do you love Robert Pattinson?"
Ultimately, it's safe to assume that most people who love Twilight will at least like this DVD/ Blu-ray release. After all, it almost literally thanks them for their support and patronage, citing them as the reason for the film's success, not to mention the fact that it provides them with what must be all remaining footage via two collections of extended and deleted scenes. But for people who believe that there is something more substantive in these books than a series of dreamy-eyed exchanges between two people with perfect complexions, it would have been nice to see something included that could convince others of that depth or meaning as well.
By Erebiel at 2:20 PM ON 03/17/09
I just want them to do a crossover - "30 Days of Twilight" to see these little emo-metrosexuals get slaughered by more voracious vampires...
By Auddie at 2:54 PM ON 03/17/09
"30 Days of Twilight"... "emo-metrosexuals"... i havn't laughed that hard in a while. I was not a fan of the movie. after the first 10 minutes, i was ready to go home. BUT, my 12 yr old liked it, so i'm getting the movie. at least i don't have to watch it... again.
By Twilightaholic at 5:22 PM ON 03/17/09
Wow, this is a really ridiculous review. It's one thing to state your opinion on something, but a wholly other thing to sit there and completely bash not only the movie and the DVD, but the books. And if you read them at all, you would know that the "dreamy eyed exchanges" barely even touch the depth of the book.
By Selek at 10:47 PM ON 03/17/09
"barely even touch the depth of the book."
Ha!, now that's funny. There's more depth in a puddle than in any of the craptacular novels that you think is worthy of that retort.
To each his (or her, considering the demographic for these books are tweens, the mothers of those tweens and gay men -which I am, but am smart enough to dumb, pointless crap when I see it) own.
By katie c at 5:33 AM ON 03/18/09
oh just shut up
some people like it, some people dont. pointing that out to the fans is just asking for an argument.
stop being so harsh on something YOU dont like. others do. respect that, dirtbags.
By katie c at 5:38 AM ON 03/18/09
oh, yeah, and this is a review of the dvd, is it not? why bash the book?
some people these days.
way to ruin my morning.
By mm at 2:29 PM ON 03/18/09
yeah...like what they said if for you some things are not good or dumb it's okay that you cite your opinions and say what you have to say but please respect the fact that some people like these things that you think are dumb or not good...not all people are the same not all people have the same tastes so please respect other people's likes and if you feel that it's not right you can always talk nicely not bashing other people how dumb their tastes are..what if it's you in their place what will you feel?
By jen at 3:35 PM ON 03/18/09
Actually, I disagree with some of the above comments - I don't think this review criticizes the books at all.
He's acknowledging the fact that SOME people think the books aren't substantive (a perception that Twilight fans know exist) and argues that this DVD is insufficient in providing compelling reasons to convince these non-believers why there IS more to the Twilight story than they might think.
By JamieBoo<3 at 11:43 AM ON 03/31/09
how could you say that about him i hope he sees all of this you just ruined my day by all of this this mvoie is the best movie ever in the world .
By Kewlguy21 at 10:32 AM ON 04/03/09
The movie itself was a hit for like 4 days and than it kind of dead off, but twilight only stayed in the theaters for only a week or maybe 2, and Dark Knight was in the theaters for 3 months; that tells you somthing! But if a kids movie like Bolt or Monsters vs.Aliens can stay in a theater longer than twilight i guess it isnt good of a movie or book. A The heroes in twilight didnt even make TIME magazines hero list printed April 2, 2009. Anyways the vampire race isnt made to have romance in its culture, or in its storys, therefore like Blade, Dusk till dawn, John Carpenters Vampire. See vampires are meant to be horror and not romance, so twilight just ruined that horror.
By Twilight is Garbage at 10:59 AM ON 04/04/09
After watching the movie to see what all the hype is about, I can only conclude that the script was 12 pages long. If the book is as deep as people claim, then fans should be absolutely outraged. Most 30 minute sitcoms contain more elaborately written dialogue than Twilight had in its entirety. Seriously lacking movie. I don't care what was in the book, especially after wasting time watching that, ahem, 'movie.'. The movie screamed do not waste any more money on the books or any subsequent sequels to this 2 hour nap. I suppose this could be quality entertainment, for a 6 year old with developmental issues.
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Twilight is Garbage:
After watching the movie to see what all the hype is about, I can only conclude that the script was 12 pages long. ...More »