The theatre was full, a mix of local celebrities, media and hard working marketing executives, but most of all, it was packed to the rafters with the fans of the Stephanie Meyer Saga: Twilight. While the host for the preview screening couldn’t really rile the crowd up to ear-pitch deafening levels, the fans were more than self-sufficient in that particular department once the movie started.
The second instalment of the vampire series, New Moon had a new director take over its helm, giving it a new visual feel that was beautifully shot and had an almost music-video like appeal. Taking over from Catherine Hardwicke’s dizzying shots, Christ Weitz (American Pie, Golden Compass) manages to smooth over the rough edges from the first film but ends up breaking the tension totally, living it to limp to the finish line. There were times in the movie where I wished it would hurry up already, even if that particular lingering shot of Edward and Bella was particularly poetic.
It was easy to see why Team Jacob was out in full-force yesterday considering Jacob substitutes Edward’s main role for this film. Buffed-up and adorable with a bad-boy edge, who is gratuitously shirtless for most part, Taylor Lautner worked hard to retain his role after speculation that he may be cut due to not looking right for the role. It paid off evidently, as he settled into his role nicely and was easily one of the best to watch, with his vibrant and funny manner. And there it is, the very anti-thesis of Bella’s love affair with her vampire.
As per usual Edward, played by hobo-esque Robert Pattinson is the brooding sensitive soul, who decides to make a tough decision without consulting all parties in order to keep Bella safe. Ever-pale and ever-anguished, Edward’s role is almost idolised but then again the story revolves around Bella’s perspective, whose intense connection to the sparkling boy-wonder is particularly heartfelt, if not overly-dramatised.
Chris Weitz drives the allusion of Romeo & Juliet so hard that it is definitely hard to miss and draws a parallel as to how Bella reacts to Jacob and Edward, one where she’s able to make a stand for herself and the other always consumed and submissive towards her vampire. Kirsten Stewart as Bella also plays a perfect damsel in distress/awkward as hell teenager. Too well in fact, because half the time I just wanted to slap her out of her whiny, self-indulgent and inspid ways.
Mostly I was waiting for Dakota Fanning to make her entrance, as the cool and edgy Volturi minion, Jane, who with just one scene stole the scene away from Robert and Kirsten. Show em’ how it’s done, honey! In fact, the secondary characters managed to cut through the bizarre love triangle with their endearing personalities, such as Anna Kendrick, who plays Jessica and the rest of Bella’s high school chums. I also might be one of the few who say this, but the casting for the main Volturi members was spot on. I could go on and on about Charlie, Bella’s dear ol’ Dad and I’m awaiting more action from the handsome Quileute boys.
In any case, actors, cinematography and music (the soundtrack is definitely worth picking up) aside, the issue pretty much stands that Twilight and its sequels are mostly for its fans, mostly ranging from pre-teens, teens and romance fanatics. The plot is a tangled , blown-out-of-proportion romance and these teenagers (even if Edward is 109, he’s really just 17), need a lesson in Communication 101. If you have not read the books, you’ll hate the show because of its incredulous premise and if you have, you’ll probably like it for its aesthetics, even if the sparkles have dreadfully-corny sound-effects.
Yep: The kickass soundtrack that is definitely worthy of laying down some green for.
Oh: There are several things: The slow pace, corny sparkly sound effects and Bella.
Verbatim: Charlie to Bella with regards to Jacob: Sometimes you gotta love what’s good for you.
Alice to Bella: I’ve never met anyone with more life-threatening idiocy
Thumbs: 2.5/5
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