Take a Pass on Twilight?

OK, I’ll admit it. I have not read any of the books in Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight saga, nor have I seen the popular film. As a general rule, I do not comment on works I have not read or seen.

Yet I am aware of countless teens (and even grown, Christian women) who are swooning over the works, therefore I felt compelled to research whether its runaway popularity is a positive development.

A paraphrase summary I found of the film goes something like this: Seventeen-year-old Bella falls for Edward, who is charming, mysterious, powerful, and dangerous but wise beyond his years and, ultimately, a gentleman. The paragon of self-control Edward will not allow them to have premarital sex. The catch is Edward is a vampire.

The abstinence seems to be why many Christian reviewers have heaped praise on the books and movie. I have found two reviews, however, from sources I trust, The Christian Research Journal and WORLD magazine, who think differently.

In CRJ’s review [not available online] entitled, “The Twilight Saga: A Classic Romance Too Mature for Teens,” Stephen Ross takes a fair and balanced look at the series. His review crescendos with this stinging statement: “The Twilight love saga, then, may be the ultimate female coming-of-age fantasy that our biblically illiterate culture can offer, and, as such, this captivating story evokes dangerlously false expectations in young women that no man could ever satisfy. In fact, given that female sexuality is quite naturally rational, far more so than young male sexuality, the comparison that comes to mind is that Twilight is to female sexuality what pornography is to male sexuality.”

WORLD’s review, written from a woman’s perspective, is no kinder.

Of the hit movie, Megan Basham says this:

From the outset, Bella’s love for Edward is based solely on his brooding good looks, while Edward’s affection is based on the desirable scent of Bella’s blood. And it doesn’t grow into a healthy bond from there. Instead, the couple’s ardor for one another resembles nothing other than obsession. Before the two have become more than passing acquaintances, Edward sneaks into an unknowing Bella’s room at night to watch her sleep. And when he tells his new love that he has “killed people,” Bella’s response is an unbelievably selfish and irresponsible “I don’t care.” Like the attitude that infects so many real-life adult relationships these days, Bella and Edward somehow manage to ignore the fact that their romance endangers their family members, so intent are they on “following their hearts.”

Ouch. That hurts more than a vampire bite. These are only two reviews of many, but I would encourage caution before gobbling down the books written by Mormon author Stephanie Meyer, or making it a Blockbuster movie night. But I do not need to tell our blog’s readers that, because you are just about the brightest on the Internet.