Most of the critical world is still forbidden to review it, but Summit Entertainment has given some of their pet reviewers permission to talk about Twilight. So while I’m duct taped to a chair and forbidden from speaking, early reviews for Twilight have started hitting the web.

The surprising thing about what’s being said is that almost none of the reviews are nearly as bad as you might expect. The critical consensus is, so far, fairly middle of the road. It’s not a life changing epic, but it’s not as bad as The Covenant either, a terrible film to which the trailers seem to draw an unavoidable comparison.

Here’s a quick look at some of what’s being said about Twilight so far. Expect reviews on Cinema Blend from both Katey and me, as soon as they let us post them.

“Twilight” will mesmerize its target audience, 16-year-old girls and their grandmothers. – Roger Ebert, 2.5/4

“A supernatural romance in which the supernatural and romantic elements feel rushed, unformed and insufficiently motivated, leaving audiences with little to do but shrug and focus on the eye-candy.” - Justin Chang, Variety

“Although you may not get sucked into the world of "Twilight" after watching this movie, you will at least understand what all the fuss is about.” - Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle

“…a film of intelligent strengths and easily avoidable weaknesses, a modest film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's publishing phenomenon.” - Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

“Catherine Hardwicke’s cinematic vision is blessedly (sorry, hardcore Twilighters) a lot more enjoyable than Meyer’s clunky prose.” - Geoff Berkshire, Metromix.com, 3.5/5

“Hardwicke’s is a very loyal big-screen version of the lengthy book.” - Rick Bently, Freep.com

“There's nothing transporting about the visuals. "Twilight" was a famously low-budget production compared to most traditional blockbusters, but this is ridiculous.” - Christy Lemire, AP

“There’s a playfulness that seems just so right in Catherine Hardwicke’s Twilight.” - Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel