Penultimate sunset on Twilight Saga
Vampires, wolves and babies, oh my! The Twilight saga continues with the new film The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn–Part 1. With a more seasoned cast and faster ?plotine, the newest addition to the Twilight saga keeps the audience entertained.
Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson, Water for Elephants) and Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart, Adventureland) finally decide to tie the knot. Arriving late to the event, Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner, Valentine's Day) attempts to ruin Bella's wedding-day bliss when he learns that she and Edward plan to consummate their love as human and blood-thirsty vampire, respectively. Despite Jacob's warning, Bella and Edward leave for their honeymoon on a secluded island. After a few days together on the island, Bella becomes violently ill and discovers she is pregnant. Edward rushes Bella back to the Cullens' home, where both he and Jacob believe Bella should abort the baby before it kills her. While Bella decides what to do about the baby, the wolf pack makes a vow to kill the baby as soon Bella ?gives birth.
The bulk of the movie relies on the acting of Stewart, Pattinson and Lautner. While Pattinson's previous performances of Edward exuded emotions only of anger and angst, he manages to show a softer side in this film. Bella's love for Edward no longer feels unrequited, as Pattinson finally manages to sell his affection for Stewart's character really well, not to mention he makes every girl in the audience jealous. Stewart also improves her acting since Eclipse, as she manages to deliver more emotion than the "confused, half-open mouth" look. Her connection with the cast is apparent, and they come to see her as a true heroine despite her situation. Unlike Stewart and Pattinson, Lautner's performance seems to have plateaued. His facial expressions and body movements only portray the two emotions of anger and disgust, making Jacob's love for Bella implausible. His main contribution to the entertainment is his sculpted physique constantly revealed throughout the movie.
As for technical aspects of the movie, the director Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) is heading in the right direction. The lighting, sound and plotline for this film all are majorly improved since the last Twilight films. The lighting contributes to the tone of the film from the beginning scene of the budding romance between Bella and Edward to Bella's sickly bedridden state. The movement of the plot in this movie is the best so far for the Twilight series as it moves rather quickly. The movie jumps to the main conflict rather quickly and keeps the audience anxious as the ?ending approaches.
With better acting and plotline, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn–Part 1 is an entertaining movie that Twilight fans will enjoy.
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