Twilight's eternal lovers Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Edward Cullen's (Robert Pattinson) love story is so epic, it takes five big-screen adaptations of Stephenie Meyer's novels to tell it. Fans may not be crazy about the differences between the best selling books and the movies, but they've embraced them nonetheless even if critics have not.
It's no easy task taking on a pop-cultural phenomenon like Twilight, translating every gaze, word, thought, and plot point from paper to the big screen. The end result speaks for itself, but here are five scenes that make Twilight better and five that make it worse.
Worse: Bella & Charlie's First Dinner Together At The Diner
When Bella first arrives in Forks, it's obvious she and her dad Charlie (Billy Burke) have a complicated dynamic. They have a history but are also strangers in many ways. The scene of them grabbing dinner together at the local diner does nothing more to drive this part of the narrative forward. It's a deja vu of the awkwardness that envelopes father-daughter when occupying the same space.
The real purpose of the scene is to introduce Waylon (Ned Bellamy), who factors more into the story later. He's a local whose hovering over Bella comes across as a little creepy. Charlie's annoyance at Waylon's attempt to be welcoming to Bella indicates the two men aren't chummy, especially when compared to Charlie's far more laid-back demeanor with Billy Black (Gil Birmingham). Waylon is jammed into the story like a square peg into a round hole, and his appearance marks the beginning of a mishandled subplot.
Better: Bella Comforts Charlie
When Waylon and Charlie encounter each other in the diner, they don't behave like two old friends. But his death leads to the revelation they have a 30-year-history with each other. This presents an opportunity to see Bella and Charlie engage with each other on a deeper level as she comforts him. Bella and Charlie aren't verbally or physically demonstrative when it comes to their love for each other. When Bella instinctively rests her hand on his shoulder, it's the perfect gesture to let Charlie know she's there for him.
While the movie downplays Bella's role as a caretaker to her father, it's very clearly a dynamic she embraces in the books. This scene brings Bella's nurturing side to the forefront.
Worse: Waylon's Death
Introducing Waylon at all makes more sense once he is killed by James (Cam Gigandet), Victoria (Rachelle Lefevre), and Laurent (Edi Gathegi). It's meant to bring the threat of violence closer to the characters the audience cares about. This is the first look at vampires who aren't as cuddly as the Cullens, but their back and forth banter is cheesy at best. The decision to leave Waylon's grim fate up to the imaginations of the fans undercuts the predatory behavior of these strangers the filmmaker tries to convey.
Keeping Twilight's villains off-screen until they encounter the Cullens would have packed a bit more punch. The main goal of the first film of the tetralogy is to establish a romantic connection between Edward and Bella. Fans want to see that relationship progress, so Waylon's hasty demise is just an unwanted distraction. His death could be handled in any number of more organic ways. Instead, it's inserted between Jacob's conversation with Bella about the superstitions surrounding the Cullens, and her curiosity about Edward's secret evolving into an obsession.
Better: Edward Shares His History
With the big reveal out of the way, it comes down to the details of Edward's transformation. The scene confirms Edward's age which becomes a major sticking point for Bella moving forward. It also solidifies Carlisle's (Peter Facinelli) choice to turn Edward, as it is shown to have been driven by compassion and not something darker. Bella's curiosity about the process hints at what's to come for her character. Edward's description of the pain is easier to comprehend by seeing his face, even if it's just for a few seconds.
While Bella's curiosity is natural, and Edward is relieved to be open with her, there is a lingering disconnect between the twosome. His ongoing inner struggle to suppress his thirst, especially where she's is concerned, is something Bella can't fully comprehend.
Worse: Charlie Finding A Footprint
As the chief of police, it's Charlie's duty to investigate Waylon's death, but Forks' supernatural element and law enforcement never really meet (in this movie). While tracking the "animal" responsible for the attack, Charlie comes across Victoria's footprint.
He's perplexed but aside from briefly mentioning it to some uneasy locals, the whole thing is a write-off. Bella, the Cullens and certain members of the Quileute are already in the know, and nobody is telling Charlie anything. He remains disturbingly inept at his job and contentedly clueless throughout the series.
Better: Bella Tours Edward's Room
It's vital for Bella to see the Cullens where they are most comfortable -- in their own home. Forget "coffins, dungeons and moats" because the Cullens live large and in a well-lit environment.
Most importantly, Bella enters Edward's inner sanctum. Filled with books and music, Edward's room is crammed with relics from his past and everything he loves just like any other teenage boy's room would be. The lack of a bed is something Bella immediately hones in on. Beds are for sleeping, but they serve at least one other purpose, something Edward chooses to forsake along with human blood.
Worse: The Cullens Playing Baseball
The family baseball game is where the Cullens and Bella finally meet Victoria, James, and Laurent, so it's impossible to leave the entire sequence on the cutting room floor. But too much time is spent on the game itself.
From the horrible matching and ill-fitting uniforms to the horrible special effects, nothing about the Cullen's version of America's favorite past time works. Better to cut this to the bare bones, leaving more time for the confrontation between the home team and the deadly outsiders.
Better: Bella & Edward Spend The Night Together
Come for the one very hot kiss and stay for the...talking?! The sexual tension between Edward and Bella is somewhat alleviated, and their physical chemistry gives way to a different kind of intimacy.
While the dialogue is inaudible, it doesn't matter. They are getting to know each other in a more pedestrian sense, moving beyond the confines of Edward's vampirism.
Worse: Jacob's Cryptic Warning
Team Jacob fans have to wait until New Moon for the Edward-Bella-Jacob (Taylor Lautner) love triangle to take shape, but he does show up needlessly just in time for the junior prom. Why does Jacob show up wearing a tie? To deliver a message from his tribe: They will be watching.
It's a bit too sinister, and the threat is hard to take seriously thanks to the goofy smile on Jacob's face. By this time, the stage is already set for friction between Edward and Jacob, but the latter crashing Bella's big night makes no sense except as a way to remind the audience that sequels are in the pipeline.
Better: Victoria's Appearance At The Prom
Twilight fans know there's a long road ahead for Bella and Edward before they reach their happily ever after; however, their dance at prom signifies a temporary fairytale ending.
Victoria has a good reason for showing up, as she is central to the storylines of the next two films. The closing shot simultaneously brings the movie to a satisfying conclusion while leaving the audience with an overwhelming feeling of dread.