Film review: The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Rating: **1/2 (out of 5)
Review by: Alexa Williamson
For those who like the Twilight book series, by Stephanie Meyer – or the movie series – this is a fair attempt at a vampire teen flick. However, it is sadly, too cheesy and melodramatic. The continuing plotline of vampire Edward Cullen and human Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) being in love is captivating. However, Edward comes across too angst in this film as his family chooses to leave town after his brother Jasper cannot control his thirst for Bella’s blood after she cuts her hand at a birthday party.
Then, left on her own, Bella goes in to a terribly black depression until she starts hanging out with Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) – who is now at the turning point for becoming a full-fledged werewolf.
As she develops an intense friendship with him, Bella comes out of her deep funk and learns how the werewolf clans ‘live’ in Forks, Washington. Meanwhile, she is still being hunted by Victoria (a ruthless vampire from the first movie) (Rachelle Lefevre), who is out to kill her as Edward killed her partner James in the first movie.
And, one further twist, Alice Cullen (Ashley Greene) (who has visions) sees Bella hit her head after a cliff dive, and then, as Jacob then tells Edward that a funeral is being planned, Edward thinks Bella is dead. With this in mind, Edward goes to the Volturi, an organized coven of vampires, and enforcers of law, in the vampire world, to end his life. They refuse and instead ask him to join them. And, when they find out about Bella (as she comes to the Volturi HQ in Volterra, Italy, to stop him killing himself – and learns about them), things get more complicated as they force her to become a vampire or destroy her.
With a lot going on in this film, it is not as detailed or as exciting as the first and seems more to try and push through as much of the plot, from the book, as possible. The first film had a lot more action, fighting and special effects – as well as romance. And, although this screenplay is also written by Melissa Rosenberg (as is the first), it is not as strong and has too much melodrama and teenage angst in it.
Worth seeing this movie if you are a fan of the Twilight books, but not the best vampire movie you could see.
Further information:
Twilight: New Moon (IMDB)