I’ll start with a warning: if you have not read Twilight, the first book in Stephanie Meyer’s best selling vampire love story, I would close this issue of the Charger Bulletin up, run to the local Barnes and Noble, and get to reading. Spoilers are rampant in this review! However, if you have already read the first book of the phenomenon keep reading: I won’t spoil anything beyond that!

The highly-anticipated movie version of Twilight catapulted itself to the big screen Friday, Nov. 21, entrancing audience members and squealing tweens with its fast-paced love story. The entrancing Robert Pattinson (Cedric Diggory from Harry Potter) took on the role of vampire Edward Cullen, the gorgeous heartthrob of Meyer’s tale. Kristin Stewart, known best for a tiny role in Panic Room, played the quizzical and understanding Isabella “Bella” Swan. Together, Bella and Edward start a Romeo and Juliet-like love story that drives their family, friends, and lives to the brink of disaster.

Director Catherine Hardwicke (Lords of Dogtown) made sure to keep the story as close to the book as possible. Not a page was left unturned as Bella and Edward set out on their love story. They met in biology class, noticed each other from a car accident, and fell in love underneath the shining midday sun of Forks, Wash. Yes, Buffy fans out there, these vampires can live in the sun without being burned, and Edward’s sparkling diamond skin led to one of the coolest visual effects in current PG-13 movies.

The Cullens, a family of “vegetarian” vampires, bring Bella under their wing as rogue vampires threaten not only a new love, but their very survival. An epic battle with James (Cam Gigandet, The O.C.) seals the love affair and sets the stage for the movie versions of the sequels Eclipse, New Moon, and Breaking Dawn.

The actors chosen to star in Twilight were incredibly well-placed for their respective parts. Billy Burke played a likeable and believable version of Charlie Swan, Bella’s father, and Nikki Reed (another O.C. alum) was an almost perfect portrayal of the rude and snobbish Rosalie. Peter Facinelli, Taylor Lautner, and Ashley Greene also delivered great supporting roles that will only help to build their characters in the movies to come. The characters were funny, interacting with humor to add a spice of real life to Meyer’s book. The human characters, like Jessica and Mike, also interacted well with the leading cast.

For those of you who have yet to read the book, I should warn you, the movie may be a tad bit on the boring side. Some of the interactions between characters, particularly Bella and Edward, are awkward and fumbling at points. Without Meyer’s prose to keep it moving, it at times feels as if you’re watching a reenactment of your first days of high school. But, if you make it through the beginning, the final battle and a gripping argument scene between Bella and Edward will keep you on the edge of your seats: and possibly get you to read the book, too.

While the movie had its faults here and there (rather lackluster dialogue and silly visual effects at times), it was a perfect interpretation of Stephanie Meyer’s bestseller. Any fan of Twilight will more than enjoy the movie of the same name.

For those who haven’t read the book yet, look out for the movie version of the sequels. There will be werewolves, more fights, and the two ultimate questions: should Bella stay a human, or become a vampire and which side are you on, team Edward or team Jacob? You have to read, or watch, to find out!