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Reviews
The Vampire Diaries: Let the Right One In (2010)
Best episode yet!
After watching 'Haunted' and seeing the ratings fall after the CW toys with this show like a chew toy, you'd assume that the Vampire Diaries has given all it has to offer.
But the writers never fail to surprise you with this show! This episode sees what you'd expect of a vampire show - a hell of a lot of staking, blood and evil.
Stefan and Elena are a couple for the times, but fans will be surprised at his transition. The once gentle, loving vampire has taken a desperate turn to become an addicted vampire, and one sees the real murderous side of him. To top it off, there's a little chemistry between Damon and Elena as they attempt to get Stefan back, who's been tortured by the vampires who seek revenge for over a hundred years being stuck underground.
Pearl and Anna: I really hope these two stick around. You'd think they'd be as happy as the Brady bunch, but Anna's been alone for a while now, meaning she's breaking out of the good daughter role, which angers her mother. It'll be interesting to see if they can regain what was once theirs, especially since Jeremy and Anna take a step deeper into their relationship. Of course, it might turn evil now that Anna's seen Jeremy's true intentions.
Which brings us to him. Normally you'd just see this quiet loner boy in the background, but now he wants to be a vampire: everything his ancestors fought against. He's a little whiny and desperate in this episode, but it really brought out everything he's been repressing since Vicki's death.
I mentioned Haunted was one of the best episodes of the season, because of Vicki's death. You'd think they'd never bring her up again, but they do when Caroline discovers her body. This brings a tremendous amount of impact on Mystic Falls, and kudos to the writers for bringing this back. Now you'll just have to wait and see they hysteria this will cause.
Matt and Caroline need a mention. BORING! Although, you see some tension between him and Elena (right in front of Caroline!) at the end. And Kelly's failed casserole attempt won't be happening again, you know since her daughter's been found dead.
Overall, this is the best episode of the season and hopefully the ratings will reflect this. So many twists, turns, staking and blood, which is more than you could ever expect. I still find Stefan's addiction to human blood and him bringing out his violent side to be the best part of the episode. MUST WATCH!
The Vampire Diaries (2009)
Changes the perception of vampires!
Since the release of Twilight, fans have been under the perception that vampires have marble hard skin and sparkle in the sun. Although I am an avid Twilight saga fan, the Vampire Diaries brings with it an accurate characteristics of vampires with crazy twisted plot lines and a star studded cast. Although it strikes similar comparisons to Twilight, it has originality where Twilight does not (sorry to disappoint Meyer fans!), and does not just feature some weak damsel in distress falling in love with a vampire.
In this series you get to know Elena (Dobrev), the golden girl who seemingly had it all until her parents died. Enter Stefan (Wesley) and later Damon (Somerhalder), causing mysteries deaths in the town of Mystic Falls. Unbeknownst, Elena falls in love with Stefan and falls in trouble when she finds out he's a vampire (in Lost Girls). Episodes 1-6 deal with their budding relationship, and problems surrounding her friends, from witchery to love triangles (Caroline - Damon - Elena, Matt - Elena - Stefan), and is an excellent start to Episode 7, where vampirism escalates.
This series surprises you by killing off Vicki in a cliff hanger episode from Lost Girls, and is the standout episode of the season. To further complicate the whole vampire issue, Damon kills Lexi, Stefan's long time friend. Alaric is introduced, with a hidden agenda, and in Episode 10, a whole new mystery plot in introduced whilst Elena and Stefan reach a new point in their relationship. However, things take a turn for the worse when Elena discovers the truth about Katherine (Damon & Stefan's ex).
All the episodes are very well executed, as there is always something to be surprised about. Once you're hooked in, you can't miss a single episode otherwise you'll just get lost. This series proves you can integrate accurate vampire lore (and not be afraid to scary up vampires' faces!) with a mysterious love triangle (we all know it was Bella & Edward) and still have enough going on to include the subplot of Elena's friends (Mike, Jes & Ang get about 5 minutes of movie time right?). And the best part is, Elena has the emotional strength Bella lacks, so it doesn't look as pathetic.
Overall, I was somewhat disappointed at first that it doesn't follow the books' events, but the directors and writers compensate by creating and excellent series!
Twilight (2008)
Worthwhile and compelling film!
Twilight, being dubbed as the next Harry Potter, is the modern day Romeo and Juliet. Bella Swan, an ordinary girl, grudgingly moves to the small town of Forks WA to live with her father Charlie while her mother travels. To her surprise, all the boys vie for her attention, but she is drawn in to the one exception: the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen. Initially utterly repulsed by the strongest scent he's smelled in his 108 year existence, Bella uncovers his secret and they soon fall in a forbidden love. When 3 nomadic vampires arrive, including a tracker who makes it his mission to kill Bella, Edward and his family fight to protect her.
To avid fans of the novel, Twilight will not disappoint you despite weaknesses in the movie. E&B chemistry may seem quite awkward, and Jacob & Esme are just faces in the movie - no personality, no story, no lines. The Quileute scenes are somewhat disappointing because they have been scrambled and lack appropriate time. The biggest disappointment was how Alice's past was never mentioned, and how can that possibly be written in NM? The special effects of a sparkly Edward were exceptional, which compensated for the insignificant meadow setting and emotionless scene. However, I enjoyed the E&B tension and chemistry, as well as the Ballet Scene (exceptional acting!). Viewers are sure to laugh at the characters (Emmett & Alice in particular), and the baseball scene is a personal favourite. For those who haven't read the book, Twilight will fail to disorientate you with the arrival of the nomads as they are given a good back story.
Overall, despite missing significant scenes, characters and the E&B tension that allures readers, Twilight is my personal favourite, and is a worthwhile experience to see the movie which follows suit to the book despite its flaws.