I LOVE Twilight. I LOVE the book series. I LOVE the movie (not as much as the books, but still a lot). I LOVE the whole thing. So, it's not unusual that I would get a tad bit defensive when people bash it. I shouldn't care about others' opinions, but I feel like they are bashing it for the wrong reasons. It's fine if you just don't like Twilight, but if you hate it because it doesn't follow traditional vampire mythology or because millions of teenage girls do, those are the wrong reasons.
First and foremost, Twilight is an epic romance. It is not supposed to be a series about vampires. However, the vampire/immortal element is incredibly vital to the story. What could be more epically romantic than everlasting love? And, of course, what epic love story isn't about two lovers from different worlds? Add in rivalry between vampires and werewolves and you've got conflict and also your love triangle. What I love most about Twilight is the love story, not the vampires.
Secondly, who cares if Stephenie Meyer made up her own vampire mythology? That's what fiction writers do—they make shit up! So, it doesn't follow traditional vampire rules—who's to say that those are or should be the ones followed in any vampire related fiction? True, the sparkling in sunlight thing was a bit weird—especially for someone who loves Buffy as much as I do and was expecting Edward to explode in a puff of dust. I can definitely understand having a hard time getting past the new vampire mythology if you are a true vampire fiction connoisseur. But I still think the love story is more important than any license Stephenie Meyer took with vampires.
I recently saw a comment from someone saying that Twilight wasn't written well—really? I couldn't put it down. Books that keep you reading for hours on end are well written books in my opinion. Books that you can't wait to get back to and books that you are sad when they're done are extremely well written books. The entire Twilight series is extremely well written. But, then again, that is my opinion and I shouldn't be surprised that someone doesn't agree with me. However, it is also my opinion that this person discriminated against the series because it doesn't follow traditional vampire lore and because it's so popular with the mainstream. But, I also have to acknowledge that there is the possibility that some people just plain don't like the books.
As for the movie, it's definitely not as good as the book—but what movie is? However, I think the casting was incredible. I cannot imagine two people more perfect for Bella and Edward than Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. The rest of the cast is amazing as well (although I don't honestly believe Forks is as diverse as Catherine Hardwicke would have us believe). And there were some silly choices like having the vampires climbing trees like monkeys and Eric's hair, but I digress. It was still a really good movie and I am super excited for New Moon.
I know not everyone in the world likes Twilight, but I do wish more people would give it a chance and not dismiss it as a teenybopper book about vampires that sparkle. Ever since my sister got me hooked on these books, I've been in love with them. And I am not ashamed to say that I am a 32 year old Twilight fan.
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