Twilight - Why I Like It

[Jzolr0708]

(Search Bar Approved! - I think...)

Yeah, I know, that may seem kind of odd. A 20 year old bachelor saying he admires a franchise basically bent on exploiting the young, naive, and romance-driven brains of 13 year old females everywhere, but I have a decent reason for it!

I got to thinking, and realized just how these past years have been some of the MOST culturally self centered, greedy, and even selfish ever. Nostalgia has reached disturbingly high levels of unprecedented credibility (thanks to all the Thundercats/Transformers/Ninjas/Pirates/Vampire/Monkey/Mummy/every other old beloved franchise/theme/thing from yesteryear fans not wanting to let it go), which of course means easy money for the people in the entertainment buisness (Hence the excessive amounts of remakes/reboots/re-imaginings we see).

But we already know that, so lets not dwell on it.

The thing is, in refusing to not let go of some of the most material or superficial parts of our childhoods, were not leaving a lot of room for new things to be made for future generations of kids.

The older, more financially independant crowd rags on and on and on about some old show from the 80's, which leads to the fellows down at Hollywood or whatever to slap a bunch of expensive graphics and shallow modern humor/wit on the whole thing for easy cash. And of course, most all the "hardcore" nerds and fans (that are ironically enough the main ones RESPONSIBLE for these new, lame iterations being made in the first place) flip out when it inevitably sucks.

Except for when something like the new IRONMAN or New Incredible Hulk or Dark Knight comes out. Then they all cream themsleves over it, even though none of those particular films are any different or better than the rest of the crap out there that they complain about.

But in clinging so desperately to this stuff, were shutting out our kids from having the same kinds of experiences with franchises and movies and whatnot that WE had as children ourselves. Instead they're forced to kind of go along with all the old stuff that WE obsess over, when instead we should be making room for newer stuff for the new generations to enjoy.

Which is why I don't mind stuff like Twilight, or New Moon. No, NO, I'm not saying that I personally think it's good, but then I realize that NOT EVERYTHING IS MADE FOR ME, and I also realize that it's nice that they have something that can really excite them and make them happy, so I can let it slide.

But really, we should be a lot farther along than this. What did, say, I, for example, have to grow up with?:

Super Mario - Sonic the Hedgehog - Banjo Kazooie - Snowbaord Kids - Bomberman - Lion King - Toy Story - Dexters Laboratory - Angry Beavers - Courage the Cowardly Dog - Powerpuff Girls - Looney Tunes - the list goes on...

But when I see kids nowadays - especially my 4 and 11 year old little brothers - they don't have much of that kind of stuff to call their own. Thank GOD for the miracle that was Spongebob (back when it was good, anyways...), and even stuff like Ratchet and Clank and Jak and Daxter (back when THOSE were good, I mean...). That was the kind of stuff that would bring us all together, and we'd have a blast!

What are they going to have to look back on when theyr'e older? High School Musical? The Disney Channel? El Tigre? The Live Action Ben 10 movie!?!?! Twilight? Goodness...

Yeah, I may not care for Twilight myself, but if it can bring joy to those who normally would not find it in these kinds of places, then great!

And honestly, complain and moan about how twilight percieves vampires as much as you want, vampires have always been kind of a silly concept. What with their capes, and blood sucking, and turning into bats, and always living in giant secluded mansions/castles and all... They really don't initially come off as much more serious than mummies, or goblins, or unicorns, at least not to me.


I don't know, maybe it's just me, maybe I'm just thinking too much for the children (in the least pedo way possible, I promise!), but that's what I'm getting from all this. WHat are ya'lls thoughts?...

I sorta agree. I think Twilight is sewage, personally, but thats because it's not my thing. Also:

Ratchet and Clank 2, and Jak and Daxter 2:

BEST
GAMES
EVER.

 

[Sparcrypt]

I dont like twilight at all - I saw the second one at the movies and it was utter crap, a TERRIBLE movie. Haven't read the books and don't really want to.

However... my response now is 'OK I dont like it'. Thats it. I don't care. A billion people can love it for all I care, I'm not interested, the same as I'm not interested in any other movie and book that I don't like.

The people who jump up and down going "TWILIGHT IS SO TERRIBLE CAUSE I DONT LIKE IT" - grow up, people have different tastes then you and if they want to enjoy something that both you and I can agree is terrible... how does this effect you? I mean what's your argument, someone changed how imaginary creatures work?

As for this..

My issues with the twilight series stem from the fact that it's a carefully crafted marketing machine, precision targeted to prey on the fantasies of impressionable tween girls while glorifying unhealthy and emotionally abusive relationships, and negative role models.

It is the Mary-sue fantasy of a teenager with low self esteem, and we shouldn't be feeding that crap to young girls.

-m

Well I suppose I TECHNICALLY agree with you... sorta. First, you can't fault it for being a success at marketing.. these people are in it for the money remember? If noone wants it noone buys it and they do other things.

And have you ever read a romance novel... like, EVER? That is what they do. The women are unhappy yet beautiful, unfulfilled, lonely etc. Enter the guy - rugged, chiseled and handsome. Sometimes there are a couple of them - the utter gentleman and the bad boy who treats them terribly but it's all out of 'love'. They compete and the girl gets all emo about her feelings. It's been done this way for a LONG time.

What Twilight does is nothing new and there is nothing wrong with fantasy. Want to tell me you have never fantasied about being with the perfect fantasy girl? Or guy, if that's your thing. If not, you're either lying or different from most of the population. And you are DEFINITELY different from the target audience of Twilight, ie, teenage girls.

So yes - I think the film was horrible and didn't enjoy it at all... but I really don't care if other people like it, it's just another (very bad) romance story.

 

[Godavari]

My complaints about Twilight aren't about how they killed the vampire. Stephanie Meyer can do whatever she wants with them, they're mythical creatures. It isn't like vampires haven't been tampered with before. No, my criticism lies in the theme of the series. One who looks into the shallow end of Twilight would call the theme "love conquers all", but for those of us swimming in deeper waters it becomes much more sinister. Attempting suicide to get attention, falling in love instantly, marrying young, and pedophilia are some of the messages sent out by this book. You may like it as something to read on a lazy day afternoon, but beneath the amusing story lie messages that teenage girls everywhere are picking up on subconsciously. A world without Twilight would be, plainly, a better world.

 

[achilleas.k]

No new franchises > bad new franchises

Besides, it's not like it's the ONLY new thing - there's a new "thing" every other day. A new fanbase. A new movie concept. A new world. A new game. A new band. Hell, every time I look at a music website there's a new (sub)genre spawning, let alone artists to go along with it.

There's more new "things" per day now than there ever was, especially compared to when we were kids. I am very much aware of the commercial success that remade franchises are receiving, but even if they occupy half the space of the population of "hit stuff going on in the world", there's equally as much that's new. Being new shouldn't automatically win when pitted against a rehashed old, however "done-to-death" the old franchise may be.

I won't comment on how good I believe the Twilight franchise to be, in any of its incarnations. I am commenting on your (OP's) opinion that new should be accepted regardless of whether it's good or bad (which I believe should have been the main point of this thread, not Twilight bashing/loving explicitly).

Also, I believe the main reason franchises are being brought back all the bloody time has just as much to do with the producing machine than it does with the consuming machine. What I mean by this is that it's OUR turn (the generation of 70s - early 80s) to go out and make stuff. The people who are remaking franchises are the people who grew up with them and always dreamed of making their own version. Sure, we go nuts whenever we see a logo or theme tune that takes us back to our innocent years spent melting in front of the TV, I'm not denying that and I'm not saying it's good. But the creators are not only exploiting that, but sharing our enthusiasm for the era.

But the reason for all the remakes is besides the point here. My main point has been explained in the first part and I believe the first line sums up my post as briefly as possible.

 

[Zepren]

Youve painted a target on your head for the Flamers lol.

I personally hate it.... with a vengence. And I'm not one of these hypocrits whos hasnt read or seen it. I was forced to watch the first one. I really wish i was drunker because i can unfortunately remember all of it and how shit it was. There was so many retarded moments. Out of the 3 of us who watched it, one fell asleep (no joke at all), one attempted many a time to get as drunk as possible to make it enjoy able (that was me) and the other whos bright idea it was doesn't blame me when i randomly tell him i hate him from time to time. Usually after i have vietnam style flashbacks of the precious vampire subgenre being raped over a small red pickup truck. Very bad writting, Bad direction, bad acting and just generally shite.

The Twilight Saga: Lets make vampires gay. That should really be it's actual title

But i aint phased, i know many girls who too like it . Evidently its not until now tht vampires have appealled to them in some way. Even then though, i've had arguments over who would win in a fight, blade or edward. Blade ofc hands down, But apparently the ability to sparkle makes edward a superior vampire? wtf. now im jus ranting.

 

[Sindaine]

What Matt-LRR said. It disturbs me that girls get into this. Just wait, in ten years I forsee a drastic increase in spousal murders, because these girls got into abusive relationships that they were taught was normal. They never report the abuse, the violence escalates, they die.

 

[Treblaine]

(Search Bar Approved! - I think...)

A 20 year old bachelor saying he admires... Twilight... but I have a decent reason for it!

*big snip*

No, NO, I'm not saying that I personally think it's good, but then I realize that NOT EVERYTHING IS MADE FOR ME....

Well this turned out to be a big waste of time. So you didn't find any redeeming features or new perspective, just that we should be tolerant of those that do like it? Ugg.

 

[Fappy]

I can't get over how poorly its written personally :/

 

[Versagen]

And honestly, complain and moan about how twilight percieves vampires as much as you want, vampires have always been kind of a silly concept. What with their capes, and blood sucking, and turning into bats, and always living in giant secluded mansions/castles and all... They really don't initially come off as much more serious than mummies, or goblins, or unicorns, at least not to me.

That's one version of vampires. There are a few different myths regarding them, including origins, fears, natures, things like that.

For example, the Adze takes the form of a firefly, hunts children, can possess people, pass through walls, and eats coconut water, palm oil, and blood.

It's not the vampire legend we're familiar with, but the point is that vampires are a worldwide legend. And of course vampires aren't scary anymore! Look what has happened to them. They went from murderous, blood-sucking beasts, to poem-writing, sparkling, halfwits who weep, and barf their "tragedies" all over each other.

Stephanie, however, ripped Anne Rice off, who followed the whole Count Dracula crowd, and had her vampires defanged but kept the vampiric temper tantrums. Granted, Rice isn't much better - Armand is a whiny little ***** and Lestat can't do anything but weep and get angry - but at least her vampires had fangs, metaphorically, and ate people.

That being said, Twilight can be used to get kids to read better, more challenging books. They can be used as a stepping stone, but sadly a lot of older women are too busy squealing over sixteen year old Jacob to realize that their children are modeling their disturbing behavior.

 

[Cody211282]

I say for every twilight movie/book there should be 5 30days of night or daybreakers made

 

[Pyromanaical]

You're entitled to your own opinion-'Nuff said.

 

[person427]

Between your reasoning and Movie Bob's, it's pretty clear that twilight was a good idea. It was both the first work in the sci-fi/fantasy genre made specifically for females, and it brought creativity to the decade of remakes and sequels. I respect Meyer for coming up with the idea, but I wish she told it to somebody else who could have written it better. However, from what I heard the writing in the book isn't as bad as in the movie.

 

[Ertis]

The fourth book was worth it just for the Jacob-perspective chapters. His and Leah's sardonic bitterness are a really refreshing (and IMO hilarious) change from the rest of the series' "ILU" "NO ILU MOR" idiocy.

 

[Slycne]

But in clinging so desperately to this stuff, were shutting out our kids from having the same kinds of experiences with franchises and movies and whatnot that WE had as children ourselves. Instead they're forced to kind of go along with all the old stuff that WE obsess over, when instead we should be making room for newer stuff for the new generations to enjoy.

I can sort of see where you are coming from, but the core of your argument seems flawed to me. Why can a new viewer not have a new experience with something they have not been exposed to? Are the Mona Lisa, Pyramids or any other great work of art or culture any less significant because they were not made during our lifetimes? And the same could be said of lesser media, granted in this specific case you are referring directly to old media being remade.