Tabulating a trio of 'Twilight' movie adaptations

We see the Tabulating a trio of 'Twilight' movie adaptations

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, which already has set records after its opening Wednesday and is expected to set off box-office fireworks this holiday weekend, is the third film based on Stephenie Meyer's four-part chronicle about a vampire, a werewolf and the human girl they both love. The franchise has made stars of the actors. Here's how the three films stack up:
'ECLIPSE' REVIEW: Keep your shirt on, it's not that great
Film: Twilight
Release date: Nov. 21, 2008
Plot: Awkward teen Bella Swan moves to the little town of Forks, Wash., to live with her police chief father after her mother remarries. She is drawn to Edward Cullen, an exquisitely handsome boy in her class who acts strangely toward her. Turns out he belongs to a makeshift clan of vampires who have settled in town and have sworn off human prey. Naturally, they fall head over heels, placing her in danger when a gang of less-civilized vampires hunt her down.
Director: Catherine Hardwicke (The Nativity Story)
Budget: $37 million
Box office: $192.8 million in the USA; $392.6 worldwide
Breakout stars: This first film sparked a fan frenzy over Kristen Stewart, now 20, who plays Bella, and Robert Pattinson, now 24, as the tortured vampire in love. Speculation over whether they are a couple off-screen continues to fan the flames of tabloid interest.
USA TODAY's Claudia Puig's take: "Despite questionable casting, wooden acting, laughable dialogue and truly awful makeup, nothing is likely to stop young girls from swarming to this kitschy adaptation."

Film: New Moon
Release date: Nov. 20, 2009
Plot: When the Cullens throw an 18th birthday party for Bella, things go very wrong when she cuts herself while opening a present. Edward and his family decide to leave Forks to protect Bella from further vampire attacks. The heartbroken teen finds solace with childhood friend Jacob Black, a member of the Quileute tribe who has a secret of his own: He's a werewolf. Introduced are the Volturi, ancient enforcers of vampire law and based in Italy.
Director: Chris Weitz (The Golden Compass)
Budget: $50 million
Box office: $296.6 million in the USA; $709.7 million worldwide
Breakout stars: Ab-tastic Taylor Lautner, now 18, and the other chiseled and often-shirtless members of the wolf pack. Unlike most earlier screen versions of werewolves, these computer-generated beings look like their real-life counterparts but with human eyes. Lautner soon was creating his own gossip headlines with country singing sensation Taylor Swift.
USA TODAY's Claudia Puig's take: "Edward has a habit of making his entrances in dramatic slow-mo, unintentionally eliciting laughter. In contrast, when Jacob, a member of the local Quileute tribe, appears — often shirtless — his ultra-fit physique draws squeals from young female audience members. Even gloomy Bella comes out of her funk long enough to comment on his newly buff bod."

Film: Eclipse
Release date: Wednesday
Plot: The Cullens are back in town, and Edward wants Bella to marry him. Not so fast, she says. She wants him to make her a vampire so their love can be eternal. Both of these desires place them in direct conflict with Jacob, who loves Bella and wants her to remain human. Meanwhile, an army of vicious newborn vampires led by the vengeful Victoria are heading their way, forcing the Cullens and the werewolves to forge an uneasy alliance to fight them.
Director: David Slade (Hard Candy)
Budget: $65 million
Box office: $68.5 million in its first day
Breakout stars: Too soon to tell. But Xavier Samuel, 26, got the most screen time as Riley, the newbie-in-chief. Loyal to Victoria, who "changed" him in a Seattle attack, he leads her rabid minions to Forks for the film's climactic showdown.
USA TODAY's Claudia Puig's take: "This is pretty much the 'same old, same old,' stealing a line from Jacob after Bella reports that blood-thirsty vampires are after her."

Sources: boxofficemojo.com; USA TODAY research








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