Twilight:New Moon Review. Better Late Then Never

Twilight:New Moon Review. Better Late Then Never

By-Windy City Gal

I know the review is a few weeks late. But better late then never is what I say.

Want to thank Windy City Gal for another great review and be sure to come back soon for her review on Sherlock Holmes and It's Complicated.

Also Make sure to check out her one of a kind Blog Here.

Author's Note: I am over 30, in a relationship, have no children, and am a self-proclaimed Twi-hard who has seen New Moon five times as of writing this article. Writing a review for "New Moon" is no easy task, as there are two points of view to take: the craftsmanship (i.e. Oscar) point of view, and the Twi-Hard point of view. Therefore, I comment from both perspectives below.
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"What I've realized over the last week is I won't necessarily get good reviews for this movie. Having swallowed that, this was made for the fans, and if you don't get it, then you don't get it." - Chris Weitz, Entertainment Weekly


New Moon starts out as a call to Team Edward fans: a slow-motion shot of Edward walking through the high school parking lot, perfect hair, perfect walk, perfect smile, as Bella offers a smile in return that seems to say "God, I love this guy." Team Jacob fans, don't fret. There are many shots aimed right at you (e.g. the famous clip of Jacob taking his shirt off to wipe blood off of Bella's forehead).

Weitz manages to make both the vampires and werewolves realistic enough for Twilight fans, despite reviews claiming otherwise. This film did not have the budget for Avatar-level CGI, and Weitz did the very best possible with what he was given. The fight scenes between the werewolves are enthralling, as is the fight scene with the Volturi (the vampire "Royalty").

Slow-motion is used frequently in the film to capture both the visual complexity of fight scenes and also to add a dramatic effect to emotional scenes such as Bella drowning in the ocean.

The film is well paced as Bella tries to grapple with the reality that Edward has left her, while at the same time trying not to chase her best friend, Jacob, away by showing her grief. Bella's character is not lacking for honesty. She is honest with everyone, including herself, about her feelings. Her three-month scene sitting in her bedroom chair shows her tortured soul as she narrates and writes undeliverable e-mails to Alice explaining her deepest despair: "When you left, when he left, you took everything." There is no doubt that Bella is hurting. Kristen Stewart portrays Bella's depression superbly, particularly during her night mare scenes. Bella is also honest with Jacob, letting him know that she is "broken" and can't be fixed. Jacob, loving Bella as both a friend and more, accepts this reality so he can spend time with her.

When Bella first discovers Jacob is a werewolf (or shapeshifter as noted in the books), thoughts immediately turn to how she can't get a break. She loves a vampire and her best friend is a werewolf. Again, being honest, Bella alludes to this in another narrated e-mail to Alice.

Watching Bella deteriorate into an "adrenaline junkie", one can't help but think that if Edward doesn't return, Bella won't be able to go on. The only thing in her life that makes the hole in her heart feel almost healed is Jacob, and the majority of the movie focuses on their growing friendship and affection for one another.

Victoria, played by Rachelle Lefevre, is re-introduced in this film as the antagonist, looking to avenge her lover's death. The werewolves set out to protect Bella and kill Victoria. One of the best scenes in the film is the chase scene between the wolves and Victoria, set to Thom York's "Hearing Damage." Without a word, Rachelle Lefevre effortlessly (and acrobatically) portrays Victoria's determination to kill Bella.

When Alice returns and Bella sets out with her to save Edward in Italy, is where the movie fails for the book lovers. In the book, on the plane ride to Italy, Alice and Bella have significant bonding time which solidifies their friendship and "sisterhood." On the way home from Italy in the book, Bella spends all night cuddled in Edward's lap, each talking about how much the other means to them, Bella afraid to close her eyes for fear Edward will disappear. Again, this part of the book adds significant weight to the feelings Bella and Edward have for each other. Both of these scenes are left entirely out of the movie, leaving a gaping hole in the strong bond between Bella and the Cullens, particularly Alice and Edward.

This movie affords plenty of screen time for Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner and the hilarious Billy Burke. However, the Cullens, and particularly Edward, are absent for much of the movie. Some people still aren't sure whether Robert Pattinson can act beyond a sexy stare and a brooding brow. In the next film, Eclipse (out June 30th) , we see much more of his acting, along with the Cullens, and the audience will have a better idea of whether Robert is a pretty face or a pretty face and a good actor.

For those of us who want to know about Robert's acting ability beyond Twilight, look for us in theaters in 2010 watching "Remember Me," "Bel Ami," and (likely) "Unbound Captives." Similarly, Kristen Stewart will appear in "The Yellow Handkerchief," "The Runaways," and "Welcome to the Rileys.'

7 out of 10 Sandwiches as a Twihard

Also Read Windy's Review Of "Up in the Air"
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