Ed's note: Yesterday, Mancouch announced that it was officially anti-Twilight... and challenged readers to submit posts to try and change our mind. Lynnjynh9315 bravely submitted this post on Twilight from a guy's perspective.
A few semesters ago I began noticing an unusual phenomenon at my college- everywhere I looked, it seemed every girl on campus was reading those
Twilight books that everyone has been going on about. This seeming overabundance of female adoration coupled with its nigh exclusive audience of teenage girls had me asking one question:
"Is it safe for guys??"
Then, of course, the movie came out and all the tensions practically exploded with critics and everyone slinging praises at the series, calling it "the next
Harry Potter", and applauding the film as a cult masterpiece... and still, I hesitated. Masculinity, you know, is a horrible thing to lose.
This past weekend though, I finally cracked and decided to go out and rent the movie (very stealthy like, mind you) and figure out what the whole thing was about and whether it was even "guy-friendly". So... what was this guy's impression of the whole thing?
Well- surprisingly good.
First off, let's start debunking the myths:
Twilight is not the next
Harry Potter. The first reason for this is quite simple-
Twilight is for girls...
Harry Potter was more a "general admission" kind of thing. The second reason is that
Twilight is a four-book sequence (I haven't read them yet- likely only a matter of time though) whereas
Potter was a seven-book series. By the time the
Harry Potter movie came out, there were still plenty of unleashed books for the fans to salivate over and feed on. But
Twilight is already over and the main book series is finished.
The first thing I noted about the movie was that the narrator was, of course, a female (Bella) who was still very much enrolled in high school (fear the teenage-girl plot...). As such, the fantastical in this story makes a stark contrast with the mundane. It is, essentially, just a high school romance with a neat twist. That said, I really liked it (manhood check... am I still good?)- sure it's a love story, but that's not to say guys don't like a little romance too.
What's more interesting is that, despite its initial appearance,
Twilight is more than just a tale of star-crossed lovers. This becomes overwhelmingly evident when Bella Swan and Edward Cullen start making out in her room and things quickly get out of hand. Sensing that he's losing control of himself, Edward breaks off and leaps away (fact-check: Edward's a vampire... you figure it out). You can see the torment and anguish in his eyes as he says "I can't lose control with you" and in that moment, our respect for Mr. gorgeous deepens considerably; he's more than just a pretty face- he is very (pardon the pun) human. He doesn't just love Bella- he cares for her... and he's deeply afraid that he could hurt her.
This aspect of selflessness makes for a truly interesting plot. Bella, as critics have consistently pointed out, isn't the one with the pants in this relationship- she's the passive and immature damsel-in-distress waiting for her love to swoop down from the sky and rescue her. While this may be true, let's face it: in a world of uber-power vampire beings, she's only human. It's all too easy to pick on wimpy Bella when she stands shoulder-to-shoulder with all-powerful "gods". She may be the immature one in the relationship- but that's hardly fair when her opposite could in the hundreds or thousands of years old... ... (forgive the age-estimate if I'm wrong- I don't salivate over every random fact in the series).
I suppose what I'm trying to say is that, while Twilight has been lauded as the novel for girls, Edward is a shockingly good role model for guys. He's as suave and handsome as they come- but he's got heart. In a world where chivalry is all but dead, Edward is the kind of guy who hasn't lost track of what it means to love, cherish and take care of the girl who shares his heart. His strong example of love and selflessness drives the story because he truly cares for Bella and he's not going to let anything happen to her on his watch.
I don't know about you, but I like him already.
In conclusion, I would like to attest that, although I might have sold my manhood to watch this movie (or perhaps because I have...), I was duly impressed with what I got in return: a story and a character that reminded me of "what it means to be a man". I liked it (don't laugh) and I was surprised by how well it appealed to an admittedly unlikely audience of males. Sure, my journey into the estrogen-infused plot was uncomfortable at times (much like the look
Movie Gallery employees gave me...), but I can hardly ignore the simple fact that I like Mr. Cullen and even his "pansy"-branded young lover, Isabella Swan. Chickflicks are kind of unfamiliar territory for me (... okay- maybe not that unfamiliar... I've got a mother, you know) but I daresay I actually enjoyed this one.
What do you think- is Twilight completely out of bounds for guys (noting, of course, that my manhood is in your hands...)??
Mancouch says: your manhood is definitely not in my hands.
Men and Women of Mancouch: are you swayed by Lynnjynh9315's arguments in favor of Twilight?
Comments (120)
I think Twilight sucked so hard no matter what gender's perspective I look at it from.
I read Twilight and saw the movie too and I thought it was interesting and captivating too, bit different for a "vampire"movie, overall I'd recommend it and I'm reading the next books after it too.
I didn't like the book. I read it, but only because I'm a voracious reader who doesn't stop reading until a book's finished(first only, mind you).
Stephanie Meyer is a so-so writer. I don't like her liberal use of adjectives. I get the point already, geez. As for the movie, I'm still not watching it. I won't. Not because I'm not open-minded, but because I don't want to waste my time on an adaptation of a book that I did not like.
More blog posts about Twilight, please. I don't think Xanga and Mancouch's had enough of them lately.
I loved the books. Hated the two main characters. They annoyed me. I'm not obsessed. Its not all I talk about. But I loved them. The movie as a movie I liked. Not the best but I did like it. The movie compared to the book -- not as good. But are they really ever?
I read the books, and I'll admit I enjoyed them thoroughly. I wouldn't recommend them as I do believe (on the whole) they're not very well written (compared to what I normally read), and are beyond cheesy. If you're looking for romance, it's pretty awesome in that department. Just don't go looking for good literature in Twilight because you probably won't find it.
The movie, however, I found even cheesier and had me laughing the whole time. <_<
Thank you! I loved it too and liked Edward Cullen for pretty much the same reasons you did. He's a great role model for guys. As to Bella, I don't blame her for taking on the role she does when she's surrounded by beings far older and more powerful than she is. She's wise to respect that; not whimpy. And I don't see where she's at all whimpy amongst her own kind.
twilight is still shit. poorly written. bad character development. no matter how you look at it, it is crap.
@Zombies_Ate_My_Neighbors@xanga - You don't say? Next thing you know, HardestLevel will be talking about the latest Twilight Game for the Wii.
I think twilight should be out of bounds for everyone.
*vomits*
Edward is a good role model for guys? WTF?
Okay, read all the books before you go making up your mind. Edward turns out to be a stalker, a manipulator, and a pimp (he offers his wife to another man for sex in the fourth book... yes, you read that right).
If guys start trying to be like Edward Cullen, I'm swearing off them. Good role model, my ass.
@passingpluto@xanga - Awesome! I can't wait!
Aww, i love that a guy has read twilight. I think that all guys should be like edward, he is what every girl dreams of in a guy...i love the books they are totally amazingg. (however i am a total hopeless romantic) I don't think you have lost your manhood at all,
well done for reading, <3
Gay.
Haha, my boyfriend liked the movie too!! lol.
the books are better than the movie. I love twilight and amazingly i'm not 12. the movie is super cheesy, but it's consistent with the story.
You just have bad taste in movies.
My 13 yearold sister was addicted after reading the books before the movie came out. I took her to see it in theaters when I was visiting home. She was extatic about seeing the movie. I didnt think it was a bad movie, but I didnt see it as being the best thing of all time.
Perhaps it is a generational thing... and a gender thing.I think the book was great EVEN THOUGH people say it was poorly written. I don't think that's the case at any rate. The MOVE, however, sucked ass. Probably the worst movie I ever saw.
Grow a pair. The series is basically bad fanfiction that's been published. It's highly unoriginal and the characters have NO DEPTH.
-Kunoichi
Twilight from a guy's perspective??? wtf
Like wearing bras, shaving legs,etc let the girls have what's rightfully theirs. It's a book written by a female intended for female audience. No need to overanalyze it.
the only way i can understand female adoration of Twilight is to equate vampiric high-school romance to porn.
@KrazeeKunoichi009@xanga
you said it!
My boyfriend has watched the movie more than me I think. And he's actually excited for new moon to come out. It's really cute to talk about it with him. haha..
twilight is awesome, I loved it, the book was better though. for sure.
I love how everyone said it was poorly written. Come on, its a 7th grade level book. How can you poorly write a 7th grade level book.
Plus it was the authors first book, and it WAS a hit even though alot of people dont like it.
I personally thought it was a cute love story and it was written to let girls dream a little.
Stop saying that it was written poorly! It was the authors first book, and it was ment for a 7th grade reading level!!! Sheesh
nah, can't see Edward Cullen as a role model:
not when there are real people that are this tough.
i've seen anime characters with more depth than what you described.....