by Brittany Kaelber

Created on: June 20, 2009

Mix a little imagination with the unparalleled story-telling skills of one Stephenie Meyer and you can never do the world of Twilight any sort of justice on film. Twilight, the film, is an adequate companion to the book; however, it in no way stands on its own.

In case you are new to the scene of Twilight, here is a little information you might need. The story follows Bella (an independent 17 year-old girl who seems wise beyond her years) and Edward (a vegetarian vampire who not only abstains from drinking human blood, but breaks all the rules of vampire cliches). Edward has a special gift, he can read minds. This gift is what first draws him to notice our young heroin; Bella being the first creature he has come across who's thoughts are a mystery to him. However, his fascination quickly turns to something akin to hatred when Edward realizes that Bella's blood "sings" for him. Which in so many words means that this one, small, seemingly insignificant girl could ruin all his years of discipline.

His need to drink her blood combined with his desire to keep himself from becoming the monster he knows is lurking inside of him draws them together with an animalistic force that neither one can resist. The closer Edward and Bella become the more she becomes to him. His love for her soon outweighs his instinctual desire for her blood and they quickly form an intensely emotional bond that is constantly passionate in the way that near-death experiences make you.

Now, onto the differences between the book at the movie that I thought were key.

BELLA's LULLABY

In the book, Edward (when sleeping over at Bella's house) often hums a lullaby to her as she falls asleep. When he finally takes Bella home to meet the family he plays her the song on the piano telling her that she inspired it- therefore, Bella's Lullaby. However, in the movie when Edward plays the piano for Bella there is no mention or implication that the song is inspired by and intended for her.

EDWARD's EYE COLOR: THE MEANING

Perceptively, Bella notices in the book that Edward's eyes change color; the darker his eyes get, the darker his mood is. We find out that his mood is darker because he is more thirsty and therefore has a more difficult time being near her; she relates this to how men are grumpier when they're hungry. Bella comes to expect certain things from him depending on the color of his eyes. While Bella mentions to Edward that she notices his change of eye color in the movie, it is never explained

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