A couple of thoughts on this great evening. I am very excited for the next Twilight movie, New Moon. I am excited because they have a new director, a substantially bigger budget, and most of the original cast is back. These changes make me hopeful forthe real slam-bang movie Stephenie's stories deserve. Don't get me wrong - Twilight was a good movie. I emphasize good. Well all know it had cheesy parts - remember the scene where Robert Pattinson looked like he fell in a glitter bucket? But those were things I had no say in. For example, I had some huge issues with Robert Pattinson playing Edward (would have much rather had Henry Cavill) but since he's still marginally good looking I can deal. Catherine Hardwicke was completely out of her league with a special effects intensive movie, thus my happiness about Chris Weitz of Golden Compass fame taking over the helm.
For this new movie, I am still upset that Taylor Lautner is still playing Jacob. I know I'll get hung up by my toenails by his legions of fans, but if all his fangirls will re-read the book, Jacob goes through a DRAMATIC change in appearance. Stephenie says that he ages like 5-7 years over a course of a month or so. And its not only the aging process but Jacob grows substantially taller and muscle bound. Mr. Lautner, I'm sorry - for one, you look 14 years old, not 25. For another, you can't physically make yourself grow taller. With snappy camera shots and standing on boxes you could very well make it look like you grew taller (Tom Cruise does it all the time!), but walking next to Kristen Stewart, we'll all see that in bare feet, there is no change in tallness. Muscle bulk can change so I'm reserving judgment until I see production stills of your new physique.
As for the rest of the cast, I have been waiting eagerly to see how they fleshed out the rest of the cast. I am happy to announce that according to Stephenie's website, all of the true Native American actors from the first movie and a couple of additions will all be playing our favorite Quileutes. Yay! As any of my family and friends will tell you, I am all for having actual Native Americans playing Native Americans. Maybe because real Native Americans really look like, well - Native Americans. Go figure. I won't go on about Taylor because well this post will be much longer than I intend. Read all about it.
On to the vampires. Thankfully all our favorite veggie vamps are returning as well. We also get some new additions. Go HERE to look at pictures of them.
I agree with some, neutral on others and sort of torked on others. I think it brilliant to have Dakota Fanning playing Jane. She is an amazing little actress and getting to play the bad guy, I'm sure, will be supremely fun for her. I liked Rachael Lefevre playing Victoria, all two minutes of her movie time. I'm hoping she's got the acting chops to pull off a main character role. A surprise casting was Jamie Campbell Bower of Sweeney Todd fame. He does make a good pick for a vampire with his semi androgynous look and he's the age I think would be appropriate for a vampire - the twenty something. The two that had me kinda irked was the additions of Michael Sheen (The Queen) and Christopher Heyerdahl (SciFi's Sanctuary). Aren't these guys too old to play vampires?? Both are in their 40s somewhere. And before people get me wrong, I don't think being 40 is old. But my thought process was that most folks that became vampires would have turned at a younger age, with very few being older than their 30s. But that's me. My brother pointed out to me that probably the casting director and Chris Weitz were looking for an authority look. Michael Sheen is a great actor and he's played a Prime Minister so he is able to exude authority. So in that way, he is a good choice for Aro. He would also be a good counterpoint for Caius's hotheadedness (Jamie Campbell Bower). Marcus (Christopher Heyerdahl), besides the age issue, is a neutral opinion for me. I've seen him in Sanctuary, he's good actor and its not like Marcus does a whole lot other than be bored.
I always reserve final judgment until I see the final product. But as the movie-phile that I am, I can't but help wish they had done some better casting in some places, and I completely give them a standing ovation for others.
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