I have a confession to make: I read Twilight. I tried reading the second book in the series, but I just couldn't get into it. I thought that Edward and Bella were admirable for their restraint (okay, Edward's restraint) and I thought that the display of sacrificial love by Stephanie Meyer through her characters was downright Christ-like. But, in a rare twist for me, I thought that the film version was decidedly more exciting and entertaining than what was sometimes a slow, page-turning thriller.

The colors, cinematography, and score lay down a perfect backdrop to a well-acted (and of course, well-scripted) story that plays out part-love story, part-horror/thriller. Bella's (Kristen Stewart) world is rainy and dark, painted in shades of grey and blue, but with Edward, there are hints of color and a charge that shines through their scenes together. And the world that Bella encounters in Washington at the high school in Forks is one that would play just as easily in any standard, run-of-the-mill movie about teenagers growing up. But the difference is definitively the vampires.

The Cullen family, fronted by Edward (Robert Pattison) but led by the patriarch Carlisle (Peter Facinelli of Fastlane and others), are cast perfectly, and portrayed excellently. Each member plays his or her role, and the tension of vampires trying to live peaceably amongst humans while struggling with their blood lust remains the difference-maker for the novel and the film. Equally well played, the traveling "normal/evil" vampires led by James (Cam Gigander) are just as thoroughly translated from page to screen, and the drama and violence of their confrontation with the "good" vampires is that much better displayed.

Still, the main drama remains the denial of blood lust, just like the novel. Carlisle reminds Edward to remember who he is, and encourages him to "find the will to stop" when he's put in the situation of needing to save Bella while at the same time freeing the lust. Bella's desire to save Edward from being persecuted and his desire to take the pain of infection from her shows that the love they've experienced rises over even the greatest addiction. I imagine that the allegory will prove tough for some and redemptive for others: addiction is not some trivial moment so easily danced with and dismissed. But the beauty of Twilight is that the love of goodness and the willingness to take responsibility for yourself refuse to succumb regardless of the external or internal pressure.

I hope that audiences will give the DVD a chance. It's a great discussion-starter with your children or others about what love looks like, as well as determining the worth of a person from appearances or someone else's opinion. And it's entertaining and triumphant as well, as we see the battle between good and evil played out, with one not so subtle reminder to the forces of evil: the Cullens will forever be waiting, so take your best shot.