Nov 30 2008
Vampire or Werewolf?
So, today’s post is a little different…mostly inspired by my recent viewing of “Twilight“. I’m not quite sure whether the movie was a flop that promised more than it delivered, while leaving me still waiting for the big climax OR a superb movie that set up a perfect foundation for a very promising sequel, while purposefully leaving me thirsty for more. Hmmm…
Honestly, it doesn’t matter. I love vampire stories, so I had to check this one out. It may very well be geared towards teenagers or it could be the beginning of a nice long journey into adulthood and beyond. I’m not sure about that either. I probably should read the book. Anywho, if you like vampire stories, you will still want to watch this movie too, with all its faults and perfections.
Sooooo–I have a confession. Ever since I can remember, I have wanted to be a vampire been fascinated by vampire stories. Now, don’t get scared. I know the difference between fantasy and reality… myth and history… imagination and life. So, my fascination is no more than a display of my love for sci-fi. I don’t go around sucking blood, sporting fangs, avoiding the sun or garlic….hey wait a minute…that part about avoiding the sun and garlic may be true. My point is that I have a somewhat skewed view healthy grip on reality with an interest in exploring the wonderful world of fantasy.
What in the world does this have to do with “Twilight”? Well, my husband I left the movie discussing the underlying tension between the wolves and vampires in the movie and how we would have loved to have seen that part of the movie expounded. Of course, the movie would still be going on now if it went deeper into that story. Hence, the reason we know there will be a sequel…that and the fact that the movie is based on a series of books (written by Stephenie Meyer).
Ever since “Fright Night”, I have read and/or watched every vampire story I could get my hands on. Yes, I know. Looking at that movie today, is indeed frightful. But, my love for it waaaaay back then led me to my absolute favorites: “Interview With the Vampire”, “Van Helsing” (unfortunately, the writer of this movie favored werewolves, but I’m willing to overlook that), and “Blade”.
My husband, on the other hand, has been sucked into believing werewolves are the kings and queens of the fantasy underworld ever since he watched…you ready…”Teen Wolf”. LOL I know. It’s absurd. Werewolves playing ball. What a joke!
Anyway, we’d like you to join our debate. If you can let your hair down for a moment, set aside the pressures of your 9-5, and just walk into the world of fantasy… Which would you fancy–a strong, fast, hypnotizing, powerfully blood-sucking immortal vampire OR a hairy, can-only-change-with-the-moon, mere animal werewolf?
We’ve been arguing about this for nearly four years now. We’d like to know what you think.
If you’d like to read a more detailed review of “Twilight”, check out Rocket Scientist ’s page.
Well based on that synopsis I must be crazy to pick the mere animal werewolf, but that’s who I’m going to vote for. The idea of vampires willingly preying on people has always made it difficult to root for them in the movie theater. The eternal damnation thing didn’t help either. Not that I root for the werewolves tearing into people anymore, I just have been able to better stomach the idea that at least most werewolf stories involve characters who do things out of compulsion, instead of by choice.
Also, I hard time getting behind sneaky characters who seduce other characters to later rip them to pieces, either figuratively or literally. These characters are far more common in vampire stories than werewolf stories. Most vampire stories involve characters who tell their victims come down this dark alley with me and let me kiss you on your neck, when the whole time their plan is to devoir this unfortunate person. Granted you must be a pretty dumb character to get in this predicament, but I feel sympathy (probably because I know a few village idiots) and wouldn’t want even these people to end up as lunch for the sneaky vampire man or woman.
One other note, if vampires are supposed to be a variation of humans, and werewolves a variation of wolves, I’m guessing the Wolfman would put a hurting on Dracula in hand-to-hand combat. I can’t think of too many people who would be willing to go toe-to-toe with their own puppies, let a lone a wild wolf. Just my thoughts.
I have to give my vote to the vampires. A good vampire story has always been able to hold my attention. I’ve read all of Anne Rice’s novels, loved Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and have read Twilight. It might be because while reading, it’s so easy to fall in love with the vampires. They’re always good looking, sexy, and seductive. I’ve never had that same connection with werewolves. However, I’m in no rush to see Twilight because I’m always disappointed when I’ve read the book first.
It’s interesting that you bring up the two in comparison. In the past, I’ve been underwhelmed with the concept of vampires as protagonists (though I’ll admit, I haven’t been exhaustive in my search for those). Within the confines of the *Twilight* series, which I have no completed reading, I readily favor the vampires, particularly those of the Cullen family that eschew hunting humans.
The standard only-change-in-the-moon werewolf, however, has also not interested me much. However, shapechangers HAVE interested me a great deal. In fact, my current novel-in-progress involves shapeshifters (no vampires, sorry) as protagonists.
My husband has also pointed out to me, technically speaking, the notion that vampires have to kill humans even if only human blood would do doesn’t make much sense. A, there’s no reason to assume vampire could actually ingest more than a couple of pints at a time and most people could readily survive that. Secondly, it’s hardly a smart plan for vampires who, one would assume, would like not to be too noticeable. A string of drained murder victims is hardly a way to stay off the world’s radar. Serruptitiously draining a pint here or there and making it look innocent is something entirely different. It was the “living dead” notion, that souls were forfeit, that I think has added to the fear factor at the vampire notion. And, Vlaad the Impaler killed many many people, but he didn’t do so by draining their blood (really, having one’s blood drain away was a fine end compared to the ugly bottoms’ up impalement Vlaad favored. Who’s scared that I know those kind of details?).
Thanks for the link, G4F. Since I write fiction and actually have had a story published on shapeshifters, I’m including a link for the curious from my website: “Cauchemar”. And, since my linking hasn’t been desperately effective on comments, here’s the link for C&P if the other doesn’t work. http://www.dragonfaerie.org/bete.html
I’ve never been a fan of any of that, I don’t like scary stuff, but I will admit, that when the tv show Moonlight was on, I was enthralled. And I am really sucked in by the Twilight books. I’ve read the first 2 and am trying to hold out on the 3rd and 4th for Christmas gifts…
Now, supposing that vampires and werewolves operate as they do in Twilight and the show moonlight, I think I’d prefer to be a vampire. Not only are the capable of controlling their thirst allowing there to be good and bad vampires, the are apparently gorgeous, smell wonderful and are dazzling to everyone.
They can run super fast. They can jump out of windows, scale buildings, have keen senses of sound and smell and some of them have extra super powers like mind reading, seeing the future, adjusting the moods of those around them, etc.
I think that is so much cooler than phasing from human to wolf.
Not that it wouldn’t be cool to be able to have extra strength and the ability to rid the world of the bad vampires, but come on. In comparison, the wolves can’t hold a candle to the vampires.
~Kelly
http://www.30somethingandsearching.today.com/
Oh man- I typed a long response, but hit the wrong button and it got erased!
Let me say this-vampires. I was a big fan of the Lost Boys when I was a kid and the Anne Rice novels. I loved that the protagonists had the ability to kill, but the ability to resist that temptation. Tortured personalities get me every time!
I’d have to go vampire….the whole werewolf thing is just way too hairy for me
Thanks for the comments! You all make very good points… except for you, Danny. Just kidding.
I wonder if it’s a gender thing. We women may gravitate more towards stories of love and romance, protection and chivalry, seduction and sensuality…
Whereas, you guys are just brutes, who think simplistically like animals and only want to be one-dimensional characters who, without thought or reason, change with a full moon and run through the street aimlessly killing…and shedding hair as you go.
Hmmm. Makes sense.
Davida