by Jen M. Hernandez

Created on: August 02, 2009   Last Updated: August 03, 2009

Often, it is a fair assessment to suggest that film adaptations of novels tend to pale in comparison. When we read fiction works, we enter a world unlike our own. We place ourselves in the shoes of our beloved characters. As we read, we conjure images of what these characters would look like in real life. Furthermore, when we read, we don't think of the millions of others who've descended into these tales, rather, we feel as though their story is a sort of secret we share. We understand the complexities in the characters' life and we share their emotions throughout the novel.

So, when any screenwriter, producer, or director makes an effort to turn this personal memory into a more objective, visual interpretation there are likely to be several readers who are displeased.

I, uncharacteristically, saw the Twilight movie before ever delving into the popular series. This gives me the opportunity to be fairly objective insofar as critiquing the movie without prejudice.

I've never been much into vampire stories, and I never intended to become a fan. I saw the film after learning how popular it had become. I decided to give it a shot and rented the film once it was released on DVD. I was outraged. I couldn't understand what all the hype was about. The characters were flat, the dialogue was ridiculously simplistic, and by the end, I didn't find myself relating to any one character. The end could have concluded in a major characters death and it wouldn't have mustered one ounce of emotion from me. I was appalled.

I immediately ran to my friends to discuss my complete disappointment with the film. To my surprise, many of them had been displeased with the movie. They insisted that the book was incomparable. Finally, I decided I would give the novel an opportunity to make up for the awful film.

The writing was still somewhat simplistic, although I suppose that should be expected from a book targeting young adult readers. As a matter of fact, it may have worked toward the author's advantage, gaining a far bigger audience because of its easy-to-read nature. The descriptions within the novel, however, were fabulous. I found that, not only are Bella and Edward rounded characters, every character was overall well rounded. I was impressed.

While I understand that it's difficult to condense a nearly 500-page novel into a 2-hour movie, there were simply too many integral details left out of the film. The bond between Edward and Bella is not well translated into the film. It doesn't seem undying, and Edward's reactions don't ever seem well intentioned. In the film, Edward lacks an overall desire to be honest with Bella about his differences. When he does, it seems almost forced. On the other hand, in the novel, Edward and Bella transcend a particular period in their relationship and bond with one another where Edward is actually eager to be open about his differences. Although he never becomes comfortable with their differences and always seems to hold her at arms distance, there are times when his barrier weakens, and this is something that isn't understood in the film. Furthermore, Bella in the movie doesn't have the same aloof, awkward, considerate, eager-to-please, and clumsy demeanor that is so lovable about Bella in the novel.

The differences of Twilight the film versus Twilight the novel are countless. And though I understand that some details needed to be left out, their absence changes the whole emotion and reception behind the story. It's absolutely undeniable that Twilight the film pales incredibly, in comparison the novel.

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