Twilight is the best movie series ever made
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When Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart assumed the iconic roles of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan, the result could only be art and pure magic. As someone who has watched the entire series (at least 10 times), I can clearly approach this matter with the utmost objectivity. Universally beloved (of course), this movie series has remained relevant and has stood the test of time since the first movie’s release in 2008.
One is always skeptical when a popular book series finds its way onto the big screen, worried about its execution and proper representation; however, no skepticism regarding this cinematic masterpiece is necessary.
Many may argue that certain aspects of the plot are highly questionable. They may cite certain unhealthy, toxic aspects of Edward and Bella’s relationship; he does, before they have established their romantic relationship, enter her bedroom without her consent to watch her sleep and listen to what she says while unconscious. He admits at one point that Bella is his “own personal brand of heroin” and that every second he is with her, he is actively holding himself back from murdering her, one second away from biting her neck and draining her of her blood. At various points, he attempts to manipulate her into doing what he wishes, using his comparative advantage in knowledge, experience, and strength to achieve his ends.
In the later films, one may reference the pedophilic relationship between Jacob, Bella’s former love interest, and her newborn baby, Renesmee; he, a “werewolf,” or, more accurately, a shapeshifter, “imprints” on Bella’s daughter as soon as she enters the world, and establishes what Bella later terms a “moronic wolfy claim” on her affection. This whole scenario leads to the well-known scene outside the Cullen home, with Bella aggressively responding to Jacob’s nickname for her daughter (“Nessie”), “You nicknamed my daughter after the Loch Ness monster!?” Somewhat concerningly, she seems more bothered by this nickname than she is by his interest in and claim on her daughter. She did marry a stalker vampire, though, which may not be entirely surprising.
Stephanie Meyers, the author of the popular novel series, also presents her somewhat controversial take on abortion and premarital sex. Bella, a modern woman, at least more modern than Edward, who was born in 1901, attempts in multiple scenes to seduce Edward to convince him to have sex before marriage. Seeing her parents’ divorce, Bella deems it an unnecessary piece of paper. He resists on moral grounds, proclaiming that he would like to preserve some sense of dignity and virtue; this, he asserts, is particularly important to him, as he believes that when he was turned into a vampire, he lost his soul and was “damned.” He wins the argument, and they wait until marriage, putting forth a particular message about the sinfulness of such acts.
After they have consummated their marriage, Bella becomes pregnant with a mutant vampire-human fetus; upon hearing this news, Edward is immediately alarmed and concerned for Bella’s health and safety. He takes steps toward an abortion, however, Bella is adamant that no matter the cost, she will not allow her pregnancy to be terminated. In one interaction, Alice (Edward’s “sister”) refers to the growing vampire-human mutant as a “fetus,” to which Rosalie (another “sister”) responds, “Say the word, Alice. Baby. It’s just a little baby.” This political messaging may seem out of place in a series about vampires and werewolves, but it is present—and Bella does end up delivering the baby, almost losing her life, but being saved last minute by Edward’s bite.
Diehard Twilight fans, myself included, cannot honestly deny that certain parts of the series are highly political, simply strange, and downright unethical. So why might you argue that this series is the best-made, the most iconic cinematic masterpiece of our age? My answer to you is the vibes. Need I say more?
The blue-gray-green filter, the foggy Washington state setting, the awkward, mumbling dialogue, the aggressively obvious wigs, and yes, even the weird CGI baby, Renesmee, who leaves the womb with an appearance of a full face of makeup, all contribute to the series’ greatness. The dramatic acting and the ominous and mysterious music, combined with these aforementioned elements, all contribute to a viewing experience of peak hilarity. It is so undeniably ridiculous that it cannot help but be amazing.
If you have not yet viewed this series, now is the time to. If you have already viewed the series, a rewatching marathon is in order. With the wind picking up and the weather becoming more chilly, it is officially Twilight season.