We are not surprised the “Twilight” saga is still eliciting “Harry Potter” levels of fanaticism out of women of all ages, but we would be lying if we said it has not had a profound impact on our faith in humanity.
Twilight” is the kind of trope-filled trash that Harlequin romances are made of. And even with all the potential excitement it could draw from monster folklore, it is probably the only vampire-centric series of stories that could put Bram Stoker to sleep – if he could stop rolling over in his grave.
Even though it’s only a movie, “Twilight” is symptomatic of the increasingly bland direction the media are taking. Since “Harry Potter,” everyone has been trying to mystify the world with simplistic fantasy stories. It was bad enough when kids took it too far and wished they were actually students at Hogwarts, but it is a tad more outre when women fantasize about their paramours being dead or sharing half their DNA with a dog. Give us a break.
There is a reason high-school English teachers force Hemingway and Faulkner down students’ throats. Their novels are generally thought -provoking and offer some sort of commentary on the world. They stand on their own as works of art, unlike “Twilight,” which bolsters its flimsy plot by becoming a money machine that cross-promotes with car companies and fast food chains.
There is always room for escapism, especially when it comes to summer blockbusters. But please refrain from fooling yourself into thinking “Twilight” is anything other than a quick way to get money out of “Harry Potter” tweens as they enter adulthood.
