So many elements in those are good, imo (the score and soundtrack, the cinematography, production design etc) that I find there's enough to enjoy to make up for what is lacking (plot? two leads who are quite boring. Unintentionally amusing dialogue)
I will say, unequivocally, that I thought the films were crap. The only thing they had going for them, imo, was the scenery (which was gorgeous
( ... )
I think what I was trying to get at is they're like junk food, or lollies - they look nice, but there's no substance.
The dialogue is terrible but for me personally it cycles around again and becomes amusing because it's so bad.
The whole issue of Bella Swan basically being the most boring human on the planet and how Bella and Edward's relationship is portrayed as ideal when really, it's quite unhealthy, is something I don't really judge the films for. It was like that in the books (at least, the two I read). The movies were clearly a cash cow - they knew people loved the books, so why mess with a moneymaking formula, I guess.
I do think in the movies characters like Anna Kendrick's (Jessica, I think) and Bella's father Charlie come off as more likeable. I don't think they were unlikeable in the books, but all your perceptions of characters are clouded by Bella's whiny first person bullshit. Without the filter of her thoughts it's easier to see that they're actually some of the most likeable characters.
I found most of the dialogue hilarious. There were certain parts where I actually had to pause the movie because I couldn't hear over the sound of my own laughter. They're mindless entertainment, the kind of film you don't have to think about at all, and they're not bad in that sense (I might've even liked them for that if I were at all interested in the plot or characters).
I actually quite liked all of Bella's human friends. To me, they actually seemed like teenagers, which is pretty rare in films.
And my point about the message being 'damaging' is that it is inherent in the books, and I wouldn't at all expect the films to change that (they couldn't possibly without a complete rewrite). The films were essentially fine on a superficial level (all the things that are unique to the film and not carry-overs from the book).
And I didn't hate the films (even though I thought they were atrocious). I actually had some fun watching them, as long as I didn't try to wade to deep into the murky waters of the plot.
Comments 10
Reply
Reply
The dialogue is terrible but for me personally it cycles around again and becomes amusing because it's so bad.
The whole issue of Bella Swan basically being the most boring human on the planet and how Bella and Edward's relationship is portrayed as ideal when really, it's quite unhealthy, is something I don't really judge the films for. It was like that in the books (at least, the two I read). The movies were clearly a cash cow - they knew people loved the books, so why mess with a moneymaking formula, I guess.
I do think in the movies characters like Anna Kendrick's (Jessica, I think) and Bella's father Charlie come off as more likeable. I don't think they were unlikeable in the books, but all your perceptions of characters are clouded by Bella's whiny first person bullshit. Without the filter of her thoughts it's easier to see that they're actually some of the most likeable characters.
Reply
They're mindless entertainment, the kind of film you don't have to think about at all, and they're not bad in that sense (I might've even liked them for that if I were at all interested in the plot or characters).
I actually quite liked all of Bella's human friends. To me, they actually seemed like teenagers, which is pretty rare in films.
And my point about the message being 'damaging' is that it is inherent in the books, and I wouldn't at all expect the films to change that (they couldn't possibly without a complete rewrite). The films were essentially fine on a superficial level (all the things that are unique to the film and not carry-overs from the book).
And I didn't hate the films (even though I thought they were atrocious). I actually had some fun watching them, as long as I didn't try to wade to deep into the murky waters of the plot.
Reply
Leave a comment