Is 'Twilight' the *NSYNC of Films: Bye Bye Bye in 5 Years?

By Rob Shuter Posted Jul 6th 2010 08:30AM

As 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse' dominates the box office with over $175 million in its first six days, industry sources tell me that like most summer romances, 'Twilight' will be forgotten in a very, very short time.

"The 'Twilight' saga of films are like a cheap soap opera," one studio executive told me. "Yes, we are all jealous about the amount of money they are making, but you will find no one in the industry who is jealous of the quality of the filmmaking, acting or script. Sixty-five percent of its audience is young females who will abandon 'Twilight' in a few years just like they are now ashamed to admit they listened to *NSYNC."

Could this possibly be true? I used to be a huge *NSYNC fan and now couldn't tell you their names if my dog's life depended on it. Will the same happen to Edward, Bella and Jacob in a few years?

This needed expert advice, so I turned to my favorite film critic, Joe Neumaier from The New York Daily News.

"The boy band analogy is spot-on," Joe told me. "Although, I think ultimately 'Twilight' will be like that dark, brooding Goth guy girls fall for in high school and, though they outgrow him, they always remember him. The intense emotions, the striving for another life, the overall theme of a transformation you can't undo -- that all strikes such a primal chord in Twi-hards, it may never be completely buried."

Paul Dergarabedian, president of the box office division of Hollywood.com, has a similar opinion. "Whether or not 'Twilight' stands the test of time from a critical standpoint hardly matters," Paul tells me. "No one creates a franchise like this with the intent of drawing critical praise, the approval of the intellectual elite or to wind up on a list of the greatest films of all time. It's called 'show business' for a reason, and with $1.4 billion in global box office and counting, 'Twilight' is big-time show business."

Bonnie Fuller, president and editor-in-chief at HollywoodLife.com, goes even further, telling me that 'Twilight' is the 'Star Wars' of young women's films.

"It will be remembered," argues Bonnie. "Not just fondly as a groundbreaking trilogy that proved that women were a box office force you couldn't ignore. All young women feel like outsiders and are desperate for unconditional love. It's not easy to express that Hollywood!"

Bonnie believes that 'Twilight' will not only be remembered but will change the face of film with lots of 'Twilight'-esque copycat movies in the near future. "The biggest threat to the reputation of the 'Twilight' series will be all the others that try to copy it but take the 'Sex & the City' route and cheese it up."

I can't imagine forgetting the epic fight for Bella's heart between Edward and Jacob, but then I thought I would always care about Justin Timberlake, JC, the one that did 'Dancing With The Stars' and the other dude that made up *NSNYC!

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Tags: NSync, twilight

Comments

(30)

Tuesday 06 July

By shams

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I am soo not ashamed that I was an NSYNC fan! They were my first concert. As far as I remember all their albums went platinum. And they CHOSE to stop making music they didn't just fade out. I'd still buy they're album if they came out with a new one. Doubt I'm the only one. And I'm very much an adult now. ;) Not a Twilight fan but I definitely get it.

By Nico Toscani

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Is it really necessary to ask if this garbage is a fad or not? OF COURSE IT'S A FAD. Everything tween/teenage girls like is fad. They actually paid somebody to write this excuse for an article?

By Morgan

As much as I would like to just get on here and just write "TWILIGHT SUCKS!"

I do think that this will die down in a few years, at some point the screaming girls and tere moms, will forget about it, sure they be like "oh thats a good book/movie" but im sure they'll all grow up and see how dumb it looks to pick teams over something so silly.
I myself am a guy who hates(!) the whole fad, yes the movies are somewhat of a good watch, could i live without them? yes, but i have to be a good boyfriend and just deal with 2 hours of lovely dovely crap.

Most likely it will end after the last movie. the actors will go on to do other moives, and people will remember it as a fad.

By shay

lmao no one's ashamed to admit they loved nsync. i still listen to them to this day and with pride. and if you were actually a "huge fan" you would still know their names.

Wednesday 07 July

By Leelou

I totally agree with this. I was just telling someone this. I dont mind Twilight and they are entertaining but they wont stand the test of time. They are not Star Wars or Harry Potter. Its just the new "it" movie right now. Why else do you think they copied Potter and split the last two movies into two? Called milking a franchise. Potter is different cause it was a longer series and any age can be its fan base. Plus they are better written and better movies. Twilight is the typical flash in the pan. I dont have anything against the movies but the promoting and products are just overkill. The fans are a little too much too. Course I say the same thing about any rabid fan base. I dont get the Twilight craze honestly but yah, I agree, in 5 years they will be just another vampire movie. I wonder what is the next "it" movie. Was zombies for a while, now vamps. Whose next? Werewolves? Mummies? Aliens?

Friday 09 July

By cryztal_hh

Actually, if it weren't for Twilight/NSYNC, we won't be here debating this topic. Bashing and hating don't get you nowhere. Just accept that Twilight is here right now and immortalized in the big screen. It will be remembered because they are the visual animation of the books. If the acting or the script weren't good enough for some, the thing is...it is one of the most viewed sequels. Live with it.

Saturday 10 July

By solita

i am supprise ,why are people so mad about this film

Sunday 11 July

By Apostate

With any luck,it'll happen a lot sooner...

Tuesday 21 September

By Cait

I see more and more people renouncing the franchise daily. Stalker boyfriends and mindless ninnies parading around spouting, "Ah luv yoos," "Nay, ah luv yoos more!" "Kiss me yoo fool!" does not substitute for plot, acting, and good directing.

Thursday 16 June

By Ernestine

abc

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