Welcome to Twilight Tuesdays!

As a child of the ’90s and early 2000s, I can attest to the profound impact that Twilight has had on my generation, especially those assigned female-at-birth. Growing up in the small town I did, there was nothing quite like the excitement that swept through our community when the first film was released. The frenzy surrounding Edward Cullen and Jacob Black felt like a breath of fresh air for us teenagers who had grown tired of waiting for our own lives to truly begin.

When I was young and living in Texas, the covers of Entertainment Weekly acted as my Paul Revere, alerting me about upcoming major pop culture phenomena. These magazines were like messengers rushing into the dark night to warn me, “A new popular cultural entity is approaching! A new popular cultural entity is approaching!” Since I was shielded from R-rated movies until I turned 16, Entertainment Weekly helped me understand what was trending and what wasn’t.

1. The numerous Twilight covers on Entertainment Weekly left a profound impact on my perception of the franchise. To a 12-year-old like myself, it wasn’t simply a movie; it felt like an unmissable event. The widespread appeal of these books and films was hard to overlook, even beyond Entertainment Weekly’s endorsement. My middle school quickly divided into “Team Edward” and “Team Jacob” factions as the Twilight movies gained popularity. As an observer from the sidelines, it was captivating to see such rapid change in my surroundings, with everything seemingly centered around Twilight almost overnight.

In the 60s, it was important to define oneself as “a Ringo” or “a Paul” rather than just being known as characters from The Beatles. Similarly, werewolves and vampires went beyond their origins in books and films by Stephanie Meyer and became symbols of something deeper and more significant.

Back then, I must admit, I didn’t fully grasp the impact of Twilight. Instead, I found myself joining the internet chorus, poking fun at those who seemed overly captivated by Bella or Edward. The phrase, “Twilight is gay,” was a frequent joke online. Even late-night talk shows had their share of jabs about glittering vampires and muscular werewolves. My Horror Cinema professor even made a joke in one of his early PowerPoint presentations about Edward Cullen not being a real vampire!

In late October 2015, my curiosity overwhelmed me. I yearned for deeper understanding of the universe beyond what I had learned second-hand. With the help of Collin College’s library system, I made the decision to experience the Twilight movies for myself for the very first time. My initial reactions were mostly apathy. However, I did appreciate the unique camera techniques and the intriguing vampire baseball scene in the first movie!

After finding “New Moon” tedious to watch, I skipped the next three “Twilight” films and explored various movies instead. I ventured into watching classics like those on Sight & Sound’s 2012 Greatest Movie list, as well as less conventional choices such as “Frankenhooker” and “Drive My Car.” As my peers, who had once fervently supported “Twilight,” entered adulthood, I noticed a recurring response when asking for favorite movies from people assigned female at birth.

1. “You know, whenever I need a cozy escape, it’s the Twilight movies that I turn to, much like how some people crave comfort food.”

The once popular joke about Twilight’s cheesiness or poor quality, as seen in Smosh contests and low-budget parodies, has transformed into something positive for my generation. Twilight now represents the same nostalgic appeal that Brat Pack movies had for ’80s teenagers. The derisive “Twilight is so gay” joke, which originated from cisgender heterosexual fratboys, has been taken over by Kirsten Stewart and the LGBTQ+ community with pride. Many fans proudly declare, “You’re right, this franchise is gay!” Long-form analyses and video essays have explored the backlash against Twilight, acknowledging its valid criticisms (such as its pro-life undertones) and explaining why it faced harsh criticism upon release. In a 2018 essay for The Guardian, Kate Muir discussed how Twilight paved the way for future female-led blockbusters.

As a 30-something individual who grew up in the late 1990s and early 2000s, I can attest to the profound impact that “Twilight” had on my generation. The release of this iconic film in 2008 marked the beginning of a cultural phenomenon that resonated deeply with teenagers like myself. The allure of Edward Cullen and his band of vampires and werewolves captured our imaginations and fueled countless discussions, fan art, and even imitations.

Recently, I’ve been thinking that it’s past due for me to complete something. I’ve begun the journey through the “Twilight Saga,” and now I feel the need to see it through to the end. After watching countless movies throughout my life, why not include the last three Twilight films in my cinematic experience? Given their continued popularity in pop culture, it seems only fitting. Moreover, there’s an irritating feeling of incompleteness for me, having only seen the first two installments of this franchise. It’s time to settle my score and finish what I started.

1. For the next three weeks commencing August 6, 2024, I will devote each Tuesday to a special series titled “Twilight Tuesdays.” This series will involve in-depth analyses of the Twilight Saga films, specifically The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and both parts of Breaking Dawn. Here’s what you can expect: I’ll share my personal reflections on each film, going beyond traditional movie reviews to discuss the broader cultural impact these sequels had. The transformation of Twilight from an underdog to a blockbuster powerhouse in less than two years is fascinating, and there’s so much more to explore in these films beyond their artistic merits. For example, Eclipse was the only summertime Twilight movie, released 19 months after the original Twilight became a massive hit. Yet, it entered theaters with an extensive marketing campaign that even included Burger King kid’s toys. In just under two years, Twilight had evolved from an unexpected success to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with summertime Marvel and Christopher Nolan films.

Over the past nine years or so, my affection for the initial two Twilight movies hasn’t really grown significantly. In fact, New Moon now feels particularly grating and unproductive. This film exemplifies a problematic pattern in the Hollywood industry. Filmmakers who transformed seemingly challenging source material into movies (such as Sam Raimi, Peter Jackson, James Gunn, etc.) were often granted multiple sequels without hesitation. Interestingly, their filmmaking skills developed and matured in fascinating ways across numerous installments.

1. It would have been fair for the same circumstances to happen to Catherine Hardwicke as well. She dedicated her efforts to the “Twilight” series, transforming it into a cultural phenomenon. Many of its most memorable scenes (like the baseball scene, the blue filter, and the “I know what you are” moment) were brought to life under her direction. Notably, when sequels arrived, Chris Weitz and two other male directors took over. This turn of events is frustrating, especially considering that Weitz’s direction in “New Moon” was less dynamic compared to Hardwicke’s work on the original “Twilight.”

Despite the flaws I’ve encountered, I remain intrigued to delve deeper into the world of Twilight and uncover more complexities in its stories. These nuanced explorations were often overlooked during the early discourse surrounding the franchise due to widespread contempt for anything associated with teenage girls. I’m excited to contribute my perspective as I transition from an observer to a fully invested fan. So, buckle up everyone – Twilight Tuesdays are on the horizon! (Please note that new Twilight-themed Entertainment Weekly covers are unfortunately not part of this scenario.)

2024-07-30 19:45

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