“Twilight”’s 70 million dollar premiere weekend, one of the biggest openings for a chick-flick, proves the buying power of teenage girls and their surprising attraction to vampire romance.  The tweens and adults infatuated with Stephanie Meyer’s characters in the series of Twilight novels, as well as those who had yet to read the books packed theatres to see Edward (Robert Pattinson) thirst for Bella Swan’s (Kristen Stewart’s) blood.  This modern day Romeo and Juliet just has a twist–he might accidently kill her when they are in the throes of passion.  

  Bella Swan is the new, self-conscious girl in the small and rainy town of Forks, Washington, while Edward is a member of the mysterious and strikingly beautiful Cullen family.  The relationship that develops between this predator and prey is unheard of, yet very compelling on the screen and in the novels.  But who can blame Bella for risking her life when you see handsome, intelligent, strong Edward stare intensely into her eyes to discover what is on her mind?  The scenes between Pattinson and Stewart are near perfection; the two do justice to Stephanie Meyer’s characters, without being over the top, even when the film leans toward unwarranted humor.  Stewart’s awkwardness works well for her character and Pattinson’s attraction is so potent because he is brooding but not too confident or arrogant.  Director Catharine Hardwicke remains very true to the novel, much to the relief of fans who feared that the film would loosely adhere to the true plot like the other famous fantasy series “Harry Potter”.  

  The cast, spear-headed by Pattinson and Stewart, are all very talented, especially the blood-thirsty Cullen family.  Ashley Greene, Nikki Reed, Jackson Rathborne, Kellan Lutz, Peter Facinelli, and Elizabeth Reaser–who all play Edward Cullen’s siblings and parents–are a beautiful undead family, but rather intimidating for the common people of Forks.  They are all lovable though, strictly following a “vegetarian” diet of animal blood rather than the usual vampire diet of human blood and welcoming Bella into their home despite her alluring scent.  All of the vampires are not as wholesome as the Cullen family though; the trio Laurent, James, and Victoria, played by Edi Gathegi, Cam Gigandet, and Rachel Lefevre, arrive in Forks and immediately upset the Cullens’ lifestyle and come after Bella.  Besides these dark characters, Bella’s father Charlie, Billy Burke, her Indian friend Jacob, Taylor Lautner, and the students of Forks High School are all relatively light characters, introduced quickly and soon forgotten as Bella spends more time with the Cullen family.  

  The film’s only shortcomings are the action sequences; Edward’s lightning fast running, the vampire baseball game, and the attack on Bella leave something to be desired in terms of special effects.  However, most die-hards barely notice these flaws because of the compelling chemistry between the two lead characters has them waiting for more romance.  Women, because very few men went to the film willingly, who have yet to read the series of novels may be a bit confused because as true as the film is to the novel, there are just one too many characters introduced and a lengthy plot line to fit in between the romantic scenes.  

  With the impressive success of this independent film, the books have even become more popular; books are passing more frequently between females in offices and school hallways.  The love for this series is not necessarily for the supernatural but for the innocent love between Bella and Edward, making many girls anxious to see the next movie, “New Moon”.