Sunday, November 22, 2009

Thoughts on Twilight and the Craze


To start this post off, I have something to say:

I have seen this movie.

Now, before you judge me, please read the entire post.

Firstly, I did not like the movie or what I read of the books (I probably couldn't say much more on these novels unless I read them all. Of which, I don't plan on doing.). I tend to take an analogy view to Hollywood these days. There is rarely a time I come across a "good" wholesome movie by mine, or others, standards. This is, after all, a secular market. When I watch movies I tend to ask myself these questions "What is the main point that they are trying to get across?", "What are they [directors/writers] using to get that point across?", "What are the positive themes?", etc.

I started to read the book nearly a year and a half ago just to see what the hype was about, but I felt like God told me to stop and I did. I recently watched the movie. I waited nearly a year, mind you, so that I could review it honestly and not be considered part of the "trend". Don't worry, I have no intention of joining the ranks of thousands of screaming tween and teen girls over Jacob, Edward, or the whole Twilight franchise.

Twilight does have some positive messages, like family and sacrifice. But there are some things that I can't just overlook. For example: this is a dark subject. Although the movie wasn't as dark as I had expected, it still deals with a dark topic. Vampires and Werewolves.

Overall, the movie was okay. The acting was terrible, so was the dialogue. Some of the effects were nice, and the character(s) I really only halfway cared for was Edward's family and their close-knit care for each other. I did wish I would've done something else with my time by the end of it. No, I'm not trying to bash those of my friends who enjoy it. It just wasn't for me, topic or cinematic wise.

Secondly, I do wonder why so many Christians are drawn to it--once again, I am NOT bashing, just sharing--I was quite surprised actually. Doesn't God tell us to not be of the world? No, I'm not saying there's something wrong with liking a great movie or anything, because I'd already be condemned if this was the case. It's just when some people--not all of those who like Twilight, I realize this--take it to an obsessive new level. It seems like at least half of the stores in every mall I've been in over the past year are lined with Twilight merchandise and various other merchandise from vampire, zombie, and werewolves movies, games, and books. I've even seen tween girls that fantasize that this [Edward/Jacob/Twilight] is real. What is it with our culture's sudden obsession with the undead?

In the end it all comes down to this: you know your limits, and you know what God has convicted you of not doing, watching, or listening to. You are the ultimate decider of what you subject or expose yourself to. Pray about it. Consider what you do subject yourself to.

Here's a parting verse for you,

"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. "

Proverbs 4:23


Have a blessed day and happy theater going!

-Sarah