THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON
DIRECTOR: CHRIS WEITZ
STARRING: KRISTEN STEWART, ROBERT PATTINSON, TAYLOR LAUTNER
Overview. If I were a 13-year-old girl I would love New Moon before I’ve even seen it, but I’m not so lets look at it from a different perspective. New Moon’s predecessor ‘Twilight’, the first instalment of the saga was a massive worldwide success making Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart household names. They both had a lot to live up to. With new director Chris Weitz behind the camera, there’s no doubt that his vision maybe different and characters may have been changed so Taylor Lautner gained 30Lb’s of pure muscle to secure his role as Jacob Black.
The story. Bella (Stewart) has just turned 18 and Edward (Pattinson) has invited her to his home to celebrate with his family. On opening a present Bella cuts herself, which invokes jasper who can’t contain himself and lunges for a taste of the sweet delicious blood. Edward comes to Bella’s rescue and keeps the blood hungry jasper at bay. This act forces Edward to do the hardest and most soul destroying thing, and leave Bella, his true love for her own safety.Bella falls into a dark and lonely place in her life and has nightmares of being alone in Edwards’s absence. After months of loneliness and deep depression Bella finally leaves her room to see her friends. After a sudden rush of adrenaline, Edward appears to Bella and in an instant disappears. This leads her Jacob (Lautner) who she spends time with her, consoling her and trying to lift her spirits. After spending valuable time with Jacob she finally finds out Jacob’s true identity, as on the hunt for Bella is the bloodthirsty vampire Victoria, Jacob jumps to her rescue transforming into a werewolf. Edward thought to have seen Bella fall to her death he has no reason to live so in turn provokes the Volturi into killing him. Bella in a race against time rushes to Edwards aid to save him. Reunited Bella pleads with Edward to change her into an immortal.
The verdict. Hardcore fans will have enjoyed New Moon as it sticks to the book by Stephenie Meyer. Although not the entire book is within the movie, it doesn’t leave it at a loose end. Werewolves and vampires, I thought defiantly a blend for some kick ass action scenes, however it failed to deliver. The film does become very tedious and unexciting due to lengthy spells of nothing happening, it felt like it dragged on. Looking at my watch every 5 minutes as the boredom was kicking in. New Moon is no match for its predecessor and more superior ‘Twilight’ and is essentially a thumps down from me. Stewart is a very talented actress, but out of all the actors, Pattinson has the most promising career ahead of him.