"TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON" MOVIE REVIEW

http://www.mannythemovieguy.com


Previously on "Twilight," Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), the human, falls in love with Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), the vampire. They fight bad vampires and they live happily ever after.

Well...almost.

Now is the dawn of "New Moon," the sequel to the super-popular franchise based on a series of books by author Stephenie Meyer. The sequel begins with Bella's birthday and ends with her quest for immortality. At the center of the film is a love triangle between a human, a vampire, and a werewolf.

The movie's first five minutes is vibrant and full of life. Ironically enough, Bella's mortality is the crux of the film. In her dream, more like a nightmare (and she has many of those), Bella gets very old while Edward remains dashing and gasp, young!

Told in three acts, the first chapter involves Edward leaving Bella because he wants to protect her; The second act features Bella slowly falling in love with her best friend, Jacob (Taylor Lautner), who, as we all know by now, is a werewolf.

The third chapter of the film, and my personal favorite, involves an organized coven of vampires known as the Volturis headed by Aro played by Michael Sheen. The actor has now officially played both vampire and werewolf ("Underworld" films) roles. There's also a fun bit with Dakota Fanning as Jane, the bratty vampire who can inflict pain without even touching her victim.

There's been a lot of buzz about the two camps -- Team Jacob and Team Edward. Well, if you like your man tanned with a sunny attitude and you believe that friendship can turn to love, then heck, Team Jacob is for you.

If you love your man pale with a brooding attitude and you subscribe to the theory of love at first sight, then by all means, stake a claim to Team Edward.

But be warned Team Edward members, there's not a whole lot of Edward in the film. In the middle part of the movie, Edward has been reduced to being a "ghost of Christmas past" warning Bella of possible dangers.

Director Chris Weitz replaced Catherine Hardwicke, but honestly, I didn't notice any difference. The "Harry Potter" franchise has used different directors before and you could tell Mike Newell's ("Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire") style over Alfonso Cuaron's ("Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"), for example.

Hardwicke abruptly left pre-production last year and Weitz stepped in, and I thought, okay, this is interesting, let me see his take on the franchise. Well folks, there's not a whole lot of difference, just perhaps a bigger budget and better Edward glitter (vampires glitter under the sun).

I've read the first book, so logic tells us that I should be able to get into these characters right? Well, I still can't empathize with any of the main characters.

The acting borders between so-so and good, more in the so-so category. I've seen Stewart and Pattinson in other films before, and I've admired their work, but there's always something off-key with their performances in the "Twilight" films.

Once in a while, there's a burst of good acting that can be detected, and this time, Stewart out-broods Pattinson. Her character is the one with a lot of baggage in the new film.

Like the last film, I'm blaming the script by Melissa Rosenberg. Although it matched the book's tone, including some of the hokey dialogue, it failed to match its spirit. There's also the pedantic melodramatic Romeo and Juliet plot twist near the end.

But I'd be lying to you if I told you I wasn't entertained. I was interested in the mythology that Meyer created with the series, and most of these myths are reflected on the sequel.

And it was delight to see bad vampires and fierce werewolves!

I also love the great soundtrack and the peripheral characters. The standouts are Billy Burke as Charlie Swan, Bella's dad; Anna Kendrick as Jessica, Bella's friend from school; Ashley Greene as Alice, Edward's sister and the closest to Bella.

Even Nikki Reed as Rosalie Hale showed some depth with just a couple of scenes.

But who are we kidding here, the teenage girls will enjoy this film. And I think, that's one of my main concerns as well. The movie caters to its demographics way too much that it alienates other viewers -- here comes Edward in his slo-mo sexy walk (teens scream), or Jacob takes off his shirt (teens scream again!).

And the teens will definitely scream in the end with its cliffhanger finale. It will also get you, because it will make you want to see the third film. And isn't that the whole point?

Bottomline: Forgive its pandering to its demographics and you'll have a great time. Of course, if you like the first film and you enjoy the books, you will love this movie.

RATING: 2 1/2 Vampires vs. Werewolves kisses

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• manny
• movie
• guy
• twilight
• saga
• new
• moon
• review
• stephenie
• meyer
• kristen
• stewart
• robert
• pattinson
• taylor
• lautner
• bella
• swan
• edward
• cullen
• jacob
• black
• vampires
• werewolves
• romance
• love
• story

[hackensac]

Did Michael Sheen Play David Frost in Frost Nixon and the Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland?

[mdelar]

@hackensac Yes he did! He also played Lucian in the "Underworld" films...thanks for watching!

[Sarzz515]

Love that giggle of yours, btw! Your giddiness is clearly and apparently infectious in your interviews with the actors! :]

[mdelar]

Thank you :)

[aykutminiklii]

im %100 sure most of girls love twilight saga just for half naked men. i dont believe how could they say this is a "vampire movie". wtf edward isn't a real vampire >.> real vampires burn to ashes in sun! film makers targeted girls and they succeded. horny teen girls liked this movie.

[TheNyxis]

Here's my review: Boring, boring...bella and cullen break-up - unconvincing and no connection to the audience..then some boring, boring, boring and I didn't know if I should fall asleep or simply turn off the tv...some sappy comedy scenes...boring boring ...The Volturi arrive, I wake up and avoid sleep 'til the end of the film..

Conclusion: no acting of whatsoever and I blame everyone involved in it (including Stephanie Meyer 'cuz the book wasn't that good)-I'm glad I ddn't buy a ticket!

[TwiVampFan]

Anyone seen any video reviews or read any online reviews about the e-book

April Curran Meets the Vampire of Crimson Cove High School?

[tmriddle2]

And Harry Potter staked Edward Cullen. the end

[TheKrustaceox]

va se fuder

[shadowkid1993]

blade quote : sparkling vampires. easy targets since 2008

[GigaTotanes2]

It's a Halloween Special!! Top 5 Vampire Movies!! Did your favorite get on the list? Let me know @ Gigatotanes2's Homepage !!

[DRealfriknKeenan]

I want to see a girl review these movies. As a guy, it is hilarious to make fun of twilight because I understand every sentiment that other guys have. however, I want to know what girls thought about it. legit movie critic girls... if they exist. if they don't, I would like a unicorn to do so instead

[AthillaMeraniver]

Oh. Watching this I've noticed a SECOND (Yaaaaay) part where Christian acctually shows emotion. I personally loved the books and really felt the emotional depth in it... but the films are somewhat an exploit of it. When she screams in bed because of the nightmares, that would have shows SOME emotion, but oh? She covers her face.

Jeeze, That actor really needs to practise some. I hate staring at her ugly face which is the same throughout the movie.

[Johnlindsey289]

@lovelylizzie333

Of course, movies like Lifeforce, Near Dark, Innocent Blood, Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter, The Keep, Planet of the Vampires, Rabid, Omega Man, Last Man on Earth, Lair of the White Worm, I Am Legend, Thirst (2009), Def By Temptation etc. all portrayed unconventional vampires.

But no sparkling allowed.

[Johnlindsey289]

So you think vampires are the same creatures with fangs, wearing a fabulous cape, suicking blood, burning in sunlight etc.? that's where your wrong, i urge you all to rent these movies: "Near Dark", "Lifeforce" (Alien energy vampires from space), "The Hunger", "Lair of the White Worm", "Innocent Blood", "Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter", "The Forsaken" etc. those will show you vampires aren't the same stereotype.

[escuchara]

@aykutminiklii

well it´s fantasy you know.. no documentation, just like any other movie as well....

and just so that you know: vampires are not real : )