Twilight mania is sweeping the nation. The new movie based on The New York Times best-selling novel by author Stephenie Meyer is the first in her series of books about the tortured romance between Edward Cullen and Bella Swan.
The energy that could be felt inside the movie theater on opening Friday night was palpable.
Many groups of women were decked out in full “Twilight” regalia, wearing matching shirts with “Twilight” written in rhinestones or “Twilight” in what appeared to be a customized design, denoting their allegiance to the movie. It is interesting to note these women were well past their teen years.
Fascinated by the long and diverse line of fans, I spoke with several women who were quick to comment about the spellbinding effect the book(s) has had on them.
“It’s a cool old timey love story,” said Jere Lynn, while her friend Crystal Martinez said, “when Edward appears on screen, I’m going to scream out ?he’s mine!’”
Both ladies were there with their teenage daughters. These ladies and their friends discussed parts of the books with an excited reverence that made it clear some impenetrable force seemed to glue them into one collective super-fan status. Another fan, Kristie Hudgens, said she has read the series of book seven times, stating that “they are her most favorite books she has ever read.”
Moments before the rope was released and entry granted into the theater, last-minute instructions could be overheard. These conversations had a militant, tactical tone to them?maneuvers for getting in and securing seats so that all in the group could be seated together (very Cullen-like behavior).
When it was actually time to enter, screams from excited fans erupted from the halls and people descended on the theater doors as what can only be described as a wave of people, colliding and shifting, moving together in an odd form of controlled chaos.
Once inside, scurrying people were laughing and yelling “over here!” and “grab that row!” Pictures were being snapped and in general there was a feeling of communal camaraderie evoking a sense of closeness.
When the movie actually began, the months of anticipation dissolved and then there they all were. All those dreamy, dear luscious characters that have flooded the minds of millions: Edward, Bella, Charlie, Carlise, Esme, Alice, Jasper, Emmet, Rosalie and dear Jacob, standing there perfect in form, reaching across the lines of our imaginations, entering all of our minds, not to mention our hearts.
It’s often said movies are never as good as the books they’re written from, and in most cases it is true. To capture the true essence of “Twilight” in a movie would be impossible, as the book is extremely potent. The movie lacked content compared to the book, but it is no less powerful and remained true to its very nature and central theme. The characters were spot on and the chemistry between our beloved Edward (Rob Pattison) and Bella (Kristin Stewart) was indeed electric and left you breathless and hungry for more. Before you knew it, the movie was over. And as everyone poured out from the theater, it was apparent everyone felt like they had actually visited a little town call called Forks, Wash. Nothing but praise could be heard.
A young fan, Hayley Fitzgerald, spoke to me as she was walking out. “What did you think?” she asked. I looked at this young girl, a stranger, and said, “you first.” In a dreamy tone she replied, “I loved it.” I watched as she and her best friend, Alley Eaton meandered out of the theater, both apparently lovesick, each longing for their own Edward.
