I'm sure by now haters will just not bother while fans will be waiting to catch it irregardless of reviews. Twilight's film franchise has grown from strength-to-strength, and with favourable reviews for Eclipse, expectations are high for the adaptation of the final book, Breaking Dawn. Split into two sections due to its length, we will be treated to Part 1 first, followed by Part 2 next year.
So we start off with Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Bella (Kristen Stewart) finally tying the knot with a grand wedding as poor Jacob (Taylor Lautner) can only watch.
The newly-wed couple then go honeymoon-ing off Rio in Brazil and after exhaustive persuasion, Edward agrees to make love to Bella in her human form. All's fun and laughter until the impossible happens - Bella gets pregnant. The unborn baby then starts a chain of havoc. Edward and Jacob want to get rid of it quick as it may actually kill her by draining from within, while the Quileute wolf clan wish to kill Bella to rid off the fetus, which they believe is a demon that will unleash terror upon the clan and folks of Forks - ending the peaceful treaty they have with the Cullens. Yet Bella wishes to keep the baby, irregardless of the consequences. With all the tension mounting, how exactly will this end?
First off, this installment marks a departure from the TV-movie feel the film franchise had since the beginning. With improved cinematography, the movie looks and feels great. Fans wishing to know how the much-anticipated wedding scene turns out may sigh in relief as it is nothing short of beautiful. With the lush romantic setting, heart-tugging music and that oh-so-gorgeous wedding dress, it will bring many a tear to viewers.
In my opinion, it was good that they showed this highlight, as it contrasts well with the tense scenes that follow later. There were also many nods to the book (which fans will have fun spotting) and even a blink-and-miss cameo by Meyer herself.
Acting-wise, it's pretty much the same, although it's evident that the actors were getting more comfortable and confident in their roles now. Kristen Stewart deserves special mention here as it was pretty much her that keeps the film together this time.
The emphasis on Bella in Breaking Dawn - her nervousness in getting married, losing her virginity, facing pregnancy and determination to deliver her child no matter what - is all portrayed with such believability. And wait till you see how she looks when pregnant! I'm glad Stewart's finally getting the chance to truly spread her wings in this movie. As for Edward and Jacob, they seemed a little less restrained this time while the rest, particularly Charlie Swan (Billy Burke) and the gorgeous Alice Cullen (Ashley Greene) seemed to have been fully absorbed into their characters. I rather enjoyed the fact that the other humans, vampires and wolves received more screen time too.
There are also notably more laughs this time around and that quite balances the serious tone the film undertakes later on.
It should be warned too, that due to our censorship guidelines an important scene gets snipped... TWO scenes in fact. The second was cut-out almost entirely, so you'll be left trying to figure out what just happened, although I believe the ending pretty much explains it to you if you pay attention. There's really not exactly much of a choice here, but I really am curious as Breaking Dawn: Part 1 gets a PG-13 rating in the States, just as it does here.
The storyline on the other hand, or rather evident lacking of it in the middle, does affect the pacing a little.
The honeymoon chapter seemed never-ending, enough to even make you wonder if they stretched this in order to make two movies possible, but I was told that this was a part described in much detail in the book. Do check out the neat chess metaphor though.
Things also happen rather predictably, and if you've seen the trailer, you can pretty much know what to expect. Most is forgiven though, due to the brilliant second half, which blends tension with anticipation, coupled with the aforementioned performance by Stewart. It all leads up to an well-laid, heart-thumping ending which will leave you hungering for the next, and final installment of the saga. Bring on Breaking Dawn: Part 2!
And oh, stick around a while after the credits or else you'll miss the ending.
3 1/2 Stars (out of 5)
1 comment:
Wow, its good to know that you can actually write. The review is really good. Now i feel like watching the movie...:-)
Keep writing dude!
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