It’s been 14 years since “The Twilight Saga” film series concluded, but fans continue to revisit the movies while younger viewers are climbing aboard the Twihard bandwagon. Though they were never critical favorites, these films managed to hit the spot with their demographic. They may not be for you, but they have a massive following and are generally unproblematic (which is something we can’t say about the “Harry Potter” series anymore). My encounters with Twihards at several San Diego Comic-Cons were always pleasant, and when Bill Condon seized the reins of the final two installments, I kinda got the appeal.
So take your “Twilight” derision elsewhere, I say! Or, better yet, maybe give the movies another shot. At least read the plot summaries of the first three, and then give Condon’s “Breaking Dawn” two-parter a go. You might not become a Twihard, but perhaps you’ll find there’s a let-‘er-rip melodramatic component that’s difficult to resist. If you’re inclined to check these movies out again, I’ve got sparkling good news for you: The entire series has begun streaming on Netflix starting today, just in time for the spooky season. Even if you wind up finding these films totally silly, there are things to admire once they find their footing.
Watch Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson become superstars as Bella and Edward
When Catherine Hardwicke’s “Twilight” opened on November 21, 2008, I sat it out. None of my friends who cracked the spine on Stephanie Meyer’s first novel could bring themselves to read the second book, so I had a feeling the film adaptation was not for me. On a whim, I watched and reviewed the second installment, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” and confirmed my suspicion that I would not care for these movies. At all. (Sadly, my pan is no longer online.) So I skipped the third film, but circled back for “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part I” because I’m a huge admirer of Condon’s work. Lo and behold, he imbued the movie with a campy appeal that was lacking in the previous entries, which I finally got around to watching in anticipation for “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part II.”
One of the most compelling reasons to watch the series is to witness Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson grow as performers. They seem to resist the material in the first two films, but throw themselves into the final three installments. I had no doubt Stewart was the goods when I saw her in “Panic Room,” but Pattinson struck me as somewhat vacant. His maturation was a joy to behold, and now he’s considered one of the best actors of his generation. As for co-star Taylor Lautner, he sure is a handsome lad, and I’ll leave it at that.
So in the build-up to Halloween, maybe slot “The Twilight Saga” (which has some comedic pleasures to it) into your viewing queue. If you wind up hating them, I’ll be glad to take the brunt of your opprobrium. Just leave the Twihards alone.
