Twilight movie debate: Part 2 -- the debaters go head to head on questions 3 and 4

December 6, 7:10 PMBook ExaminerMichelle Kerns

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Attention Twi-hards! If you missed the Twilight movie debate team's answers to questions 1 and 2, take a look at them in Part 1 of the great Twilight debate.

Now, on to question 3:

Were the scenes that were added into the storyline for the benefit of the film adaptation effective?

Team Loved It goes first this time:

Ms. Raelynn Coombs: Ok, here is where I flip flop just a little. For someone who has read the books several times each, I personally did not need the added scenes. However, for those who have not read the books, I do feel that the added scenes introduced a necessary image that supplemented nonreaders with a must have background.  The field trip gave the movie audience a little more insight to  Edward and Bella’s  “I’m in love with you, but I’m too dangerous for you to be around” relationship, where the book went into a lot more detail! The kitchen scene was a nice way to introduce the personalities of the Cullen family, especially Rosalie’s bitchyness, Emmett’s humor and Esme’s accepting qualities. Although the “Clean It Up. Now!” comment, was a little out of character for Esme to me.  And Alice, well she’s just perfect in my book! The way she walked across the tree limb into  the kitchen window was just so her.  The Nomad killing scenes,  I think needed to be added for film just because the film version needs to have more visual additions in order to get the true feel of how vicious the Nomads really are.

Mr. Patrick Black: Overall, I think the changes/additions scene wise were well done and helped explain things to those who had not read the books.  The biggest example of this I think is the scene with Victoria watching Edward and Bella at the prom.  This definitely clues in non-readers of the books to the fact that while it might seem like the prom is the "happy ending" to the story, it isn't really the case.

Other scenes that worked well were things like Bella being supportive of her dad when his friend Weylon is killed, which also gives Billy a chance to try and warn Bella about Edward, gave opportunity to show more depth to the relationships than might otherwise have been possible.

On the changes to the Nomad's storyline, I'm of mixed feelings.  While their addition to the story much earlier in the film does allow for some character development as noted above, I wonder if maybe the screen time spent on them hunting might not have been better spent on developing more of the Cullens' characters or even adding more layers to the relationship between Edward and Bella.

 

Ms. Alexa Rae: I thought the additional scenes were great. They didn't take anything away from the book and didn't add anything new which initially had me worried. I think each additional scene just gave the viewer more insight to the characters and their relationships with one another. Like the telephone conversations between Bella and Renee and the diner scenes with Bella and Charlie. They also helped fill in the blanks for the people who didn't read the book. Bella and Edward's extra scenes really just gave background information on the Cullens and aided in the plot development.

What did you think, Team Disappointed?

Ms. Jen Koeller: I can understand the "need" to develop the concept of Victoria, James, and Laurent being a real danger, but I can't say that their previous "meals" really added much to the storyline. In my opinion, few, if any, of the added scenes were necessary...and the time they took up in the movie should really have been spent on developing more of the characters. So much of the books depends on what Bella is thinking, and her thoughts could have been translated into some scenes that would have really furthered the story more.

Mrs. Mary McGill: Surely I wasn't the only one craving some new scenes in the film adaptation. I thought that the original story could use some sprucing up for the big screen, as most literary works do. While there were a few scenes that helped Twilight virgins get up to speed quickly, there were several unnecessary additions that could've been scrapped to make room for original material that was left out, such as the wholly entertaining and enjoyable blood-typing scene. Also, the replacement of Bella's kitchen prowess in favor of nightly visits to the local diner was a major buzz kill, not to mention perplexing.

Ms. Maria Renteria: First off, the book itself has so much material I don't know why they added scenes that weren't in the book, especially, scenes that didn't move the story anywhere. For instance, Bella getting a drink of water in the kitchen and her Dad asking about her mom, clearly Bella is upset but we saw that already in the last scene but why is this scene important. Also, why did they add a scene where Bella buys a book from the bookstore she would NEVER go into. What was wrong with Bella just getting lost and walking down an deserted street. That’s suspenseful. And the very important scene that they skipped through was the scene at La Push. Jacob is suppose to tell Bella the Cullens are vampires! This is a key point to the story and the stories to follow. The really rushed through that part. They focused a lot on the bad vampires ,which in turn, doesn't grab you when they actually meet the Cullens like in the book. They knew they were around and bound to run into them sooner or later and the fact that they know this is going on and yet still decide to go have a baseball game, sure a security guard got killed and the police chiefs friend, its safe, NO NO NO. Also there were a lot of music montages which were pretty but didn't add to the story. I would have like to hear the conversations that were going on. And finally, the scene in the end where Victoria is at their prom staring down at them, come on, you don't think Edward would have noticed? He can read minds and has super senses!

 

Question 4:

Do you think the Twilight movie will encourage people who have not read the books to read them?

What say you, Team Disappointed?

Ms. Maria Renteria: I don't know. It's hard to say. For me, if i had never read the book and saw the movie, I would go out and read it. Only because I always hear that movie adaptations are never as good as the book. But that's me and I do for most books that are made into movies. I think the movie will generate some peoples interest only because its so out there and over publicized. It’s hard to get away from it.

Ms. Jen Koeller: I went to see this movie with one friend who had read the book, and two who hadn't. Although I was definitely a little disappointed in the movie adaptation, the non-readers have since picked up the books, so I would have to give that question a resounding "yes".

Mrs. Mary McGill: Oh, sure. Despite my hunch that this movie is not going to be on any non-Twihard's top ten list, I think the target audience that is making the film all those buckets of cash, i.e. teen girls and younger women, will definitely pick up the book, if only because of Robert Pattinson's Edward, who so easily improves the film with his intense smolder and gentle delivery. And I think it's safe to say that, just like myself and so many others, these said girls and women will get hooked on the books not just because of Edward, but also Bella and the rest of Stephenie Meyer's intricately woven cast of characters.

Here is Team Loved It's take:

Ms. Alexa Rae: Definitely. I think Catherine left out just enough to keep the viewer wanting to know more while still conveying an excellent portrayal of the book. I have friends who saw the movie and then went to read the books. They know the whole book couldn't be used for the movie and they liked what was in the movie and they want to read what they didn't see. The end of the movie with Victoria storming out all angry also leaves the viewer wondering "Wow I wonder what's gunna happen next?" And you know everyone wants to know if Bella's going to be turned into a vampire.

Ms. Raelynn Coombs: Yes, I do. I have seen the movie 4 times and two of those times I went with someone who had not read the books.  Both of these people walked out of the theater  professing to start reading the books tomorrow.  The movie is  made so much like the book, that it naturally leaves you wanting more! And everyone knows that the books are always better than the movie because they are more detailed!

Mr. Patrick Black: I think that depends on the viewer's reaction to the film.  If they are drawn into the emotional story of Edward and Bella, then they will definitely want to read the books afterward.  Books will almost always provide a better view of emotions than is possible on film.  Well, maybe not better, but more  personal maybe since I find I tend to "feel" the emotions more when I read them.  Not to mention that books can give you a look at the thoughts and feelings of the characters directly, things that might be difficult if not impossible to portray on film.

If the viewer came to the film looking for anything other than a romance, they might not pursue it further.  While there is action, and plenty of it, as the series of books progresses, if you don't care about the relationships then there won't be any draw to go further into the world of Twilight.

Just as an aside since it is sort of relevant, I notice that the 4 books in the Twilight saga and the boxed set of all four hold 5 of the top six spots on Amazon.com's bestseller list today.  The other book in the top six is "Tales of Beedle the Bard" by JK Rowling.

What do you think so far, Twi-hards? Whose side is carrying the day: Team Loved It or Team Disappointed? Take a look at the debater's answers to the final question and weigh in with your own opinions!

 If you'd like a recap, you can find the answers to questions 1 and 2 here.