3 out of 5 stars (average)
Note: the “Twilight” saga is one of the most fascinating franchises I have ever viewed. Its characters are fascinatingly uninteresting, its “romance” fascinatingly creepy, and its “message” fascinatingly bizarre. However, I liked it at one time. This review was written at a time when I wasn’t allowed to see a great number of vampire movies, meaning that I found the action scenes in this to be great (they are decent at best). Therefore, please take the following review with a grain of salt, and know that a current evaluation of this film is coming. Enjoy!
It seems not too long ago that we were first introduced to Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) when the Twilight saga began, along with the rest of the characters from the book series. Bella is still “Ms. Angst” and Edward is still speaking in Shakespearean-type prose.
Bella is upset because it’s her birthday. Why? Because Edward never ages and she is afraid she will grow old and useless while Edward will remain young. At Bella’s party at the Cullen’s, Jasper almost bites her because of a paper cut. Suddenly, Edward announces that he and the rest of the Cullen’s; Alice, Rosalie, Emmett, Carlisle, and Esme are leaving the tiny town of Forks because “people are noticing Carlisle hasn’t aged one bit.” He tells Bella he’s never coming back: it will be as if he didn’t exist. Bella, being the goddess of angst she is, goes into a deep depression. This leaves her father Charlie (Billy Burke) confused on what to do for his daughter.
But, when Bella discovers that when she is in danger, Edward will appear in a vision and speak to her, our idiotic Juliet immediately goes to her childhood friend Jacob seeking help. She begs him to help her fix up a couple of motorcycles so she can see her undead Romeo by taking a ride on the wild side. As she and Jacob work on the motorcycles, Bella gradually comes out of her depression and develops great feelings for him. Later, when Jacob starts exhibiting very strange behavior (i.e. disrespect, anger problems, and avoidance,) Bella wonders what is going on.
As it turns out, Jacob and several others on the Indian Reservation have a deep secret inside. (It seems Bella can’t find any normal human boys to like.) What is the deep dark secret? How is Bella involved? Will she and Edward ever make out again? To find out, you’ll have to see this exhilarating thrill ride or talk to one of the ten thousand screaming girls who have read the book and would happily kiss Robert Pattinson had they the chance.
Speaking of screaming girls, my friend Meagan saw the midnight viewing the night the movie came out and I interviewed her the next day at school. Here’s what Meagan had to say:
K-What did you think about New Moon compared to Twilight?
M-New Moon is definitely more adrenaline-rushing.
K-Who do you think is a better love interest for Bella?
M-Edward
K-Do you think the director stayed close to the book?
M-No
K-Do you think that Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson will continue to play Edward and Bella?
M-I hope so.
K-What did you think about the actress who played Jane?
M-She was really good.
K-Who do you think is a better director?
M-The first one.
I disagree with Meagan about the movie staying close to the book, which embarrassingly I’ve had the pleasure of reading. I thought the film stayed pretty close to the book, most of the time. My mom felt the Jane character in the book was totally different then portrayed by Dakota Fanning in the movie. (Jane is a Vulturi Vampire who enters the story in the end of the movie and book.) I thought this director had better pacing than the first movie, which seemed a little slow for me. The camera work in the beginning of New Moon was terrible though-I was sick of seeing the back of Bella’s head as the camera revolved around her during her many months of depression.
I think, and please don’t hurt me for saying this, that Jacob is a better love interest for Bella than Edward because he’s more relatable. I know they don’t end up together but I enjoyed watching their chemistry anyway.
If you want more action, more comedy and more Jacob, go see this action packed film which surprised me by staying close to the book. Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action