New Moon, opening everywhere Friday, November 20, 2009
November 20, 2009, 12:01 a.m.
These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which, as they kiss, consume.
~ Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene VI
A sliver of a moon hangs high. Stars dot the sky and chill the air with a brightness. The wind rustles the leaves with a delicious expectancy that I’ve been waiting for all night. I eagerly drive to the theater almost 2 hours early. After all, it’s the midnight premiere of Twilight Saga: New Moon, and I know there will be a long line. I pull my jacket tighter and wrap my scarf closer around my neck as I hurry to the doorway. Swarms of both men and women – of all ages - crowd the entryway and spill out into the foyer and onto the escalator. I go to the concession stand and get a small bag of popcorn and a diet coke. I’ve saved my calories all day for this treat.
Zig-zagging through the lines, I find my theater and go inside. Turns out, all the theaters in this 16-theater cinemaplex are showing the New Moon movie tonight. And, they are all sold out. I am grateful that I bought my ticket online at Fandango weeks ago. I find a seat on the top row, and sit there relaxing, while watching as young men and women stream in, filling the seats. Young girls huddle together and laugh, twirling their ponytails in their hands; some play cards, others play on their iPods, cell phones or Blackberries while waiting for the movie to begin. Many of them are wearing New Moon t-shirts as well as “Team Edward” and “Team Jacob” shirts. One young guy and his girlfriend come in dressed as Edward and Bella. Cute.
An attractive 30-something guy in blue jeans and a flannel shirt walks in, looks around and notices an empty seat by me. He approaches and asks if he can sit by me. I say sure. I’m impressed that a 30-something guy would come to this movie alone. He confides that he is a “closet” Twilight lover – that his “dude” friends would think he was silly. I tell him that he’s got great taste – that it’s one of the best series of books I’ve ever read and that the movies – so far – have been wonderful. My new friend Michael and I munch on popcorn and chit-chat about actors, movies and books. I like him.
The time passes quickly and before I know it, the lights dim and previews of upcoming movies pop up on the screen. The first one is the preview of Robert Pattinson’s upcoming movie with Emilie de Ravin, Remember Me, which is due in theaters February 2010. It looks terrific and Rob’s acting is heartfelt and emotional in the trailer. I tell Michael that Rob is destined to become one of the best actors of all time. He agrees. Soon, the screen goes to black and a beautiful, orange round moon appears. New Moon begins.
I am transported immediately back to green, rainy Forks, Washington, the hometown of Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and her father, Charlie Swan (Billy Burke) and her beautiful vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). (This movie was actually filmed in Vancouver, but looks very much like the setting in the first movie, Twilight.)
The movie is wonderful. The actors are brilliant. The pace is slow, deliberate and yet, fast-paced. Slow enough to build emotion and fast enough to move the plot forward. If one hasn’t read the books or seen the first Twilight movie in the series, then you may have a difficult time understanding what’s happening. It would be an enjoyable movie for anyone to see – regardless if you’ve seen Twilight or read the books. But, it is so much better if you know the story because of all the layers of emotions. This Twilight belongs to me – to all of us who love it. I am at home here. My friends are here. My thoughts are here.
The movie opens with a dream. Bella is in the field of wildflowers where she and Edward proclaimed their love for one another. Bella sees herself as old as her grandmother and there stands Edward with them – not a day older than the first day she met him. It’s Bella’s birthday and she’s 18 years old. She’s getting older by the minute while Edward remains 17. She wants Edward to “change” her into a vampire so she can live with him forever. This is a constant friction between the two in the story. Edward refuses to change her – thinking it will take away her soul in the process.
That night, the Cullens give Bella a birthday party and she slightly cuts her finger on some tape. Jasper (Jackson Rathbone) finds her blood too hard to resist and is getting ready to attack her, but Edward and the other Cullens intervene. The other Cullens are: Carlisle Cullen (Peter Facinelli), Esme Cullen, Carlisle’s wife (Elizabeth Reaser), Alice Cullen (Ashley Greene), Rosalie Cullen (Nikki Reed), and Emmett Cullen (Kellan Lutz).
Edward cannot bear the thought of Bella being in danger, so he and his family decide to leave the town of Forks, Washington to keep Bella safe. Edward tells Bella he will never see her again and that he doesn’t want her in his life.
Bella spirals downward into a deep, dark depression. On the screen, she sits catatonic in her bedroom while the seasons change before her eyes. The heartbroken Bella sleepwalks through her senior year of high school, numb and alone. Finally, after her father threatens to send her to Jacksonville, Florida, where her mother lives, she decides to go out with her girlfriend, Jessica, (Anna Kendrick). Bella soon realizes that she can see visions of Edward and hear him when she is about to do something dangerous. This spurs many dangerous acts on her part. Her desire to be with him at any cost leads her to take greater and greater risks.
Bella finds also finds comfort in her old friend, Jacob Black, (Taylor Lautner) who falls in love with her. Jacob is a member of the mysterious Quilete tribe and has secrets of his own that Bella doesn’t know about. Mainly, werewolves. They are: Sam Uley (Chaske Spencer), Embry Call (Kiowa Gordon), Quil Ateara (Tyson Houseman) and Paul (Alex Meraz). The two elders are Jacob’s father, Billy Black (Gil Birmingham), and Harry Clearwater (Graham Greene).
Bella’s high school friends are back: Jessica (Anna Kendrick) – who stole every scene she was in; Mike, (Michael Welch) – who also stole every scene he was in; Eric (Justin Chon) who didn’t have much to do in this movie and Angela (Christian Serratos) who also didn’t have much to do in this movie either. It was nice to see them though. Taylor Lautner, of course, starred as Jacob Black and he was excellent. Sweet, lovable and the kind of friend you’d love to have. Bella’s father, Charlie Swan, is played by Billy Burke. As he did in Twilight, he steals every scene he’s in. I love him.
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My favorite scenes were the ones with the Volturi in Montepulciano, Italy (Volterra, Italy in the books). British actor, Michael Sheen stars as Aro and he is absolutely brilliant. Another British actor, Jamie Campbell Bower, is beautiful as the pale, blonde Caius. And, then there’s Marcus, played by another Brit, Christopher Heyerdahl. Dakota Fanning stars as the cunning Jane and her twin is Cameron Bright as Alec. Noot Seear is Heidi, the Volturi vampire that hunts for humans to feed on. Other Volturi members are Charlie Bewley as Demetri and Daniel Cudmore as Felix. The action scenes are tense and will have you on the edge of your seat. And, Montepulciano, Italy is absolutely gorgeous.
On the vampire scene, Edi Gathegi is back as Laurent and Rachel Lefevre as the gorgeous, redheaded vixen, Victoria.
The way that the actors have all grown together and have blended harmoniously in their roles in the Harry Potter movies, the Twilight actors are doing the same thing and it’s obvious in New Moon. Robert Pattinson has matured since the first Twilight and he brings this maturity, this understanding of his character, Edward Cullen, into this movie. He is strong, sensitive and soulful, never overplaying his part, but holding back just a bit to let the emotions completely take hold. He is brilliant. Kristen Stewart brings the same intensity to her role - spiraling into her depression and feelings of unworthiness. And, Taylor Lautner is adorable as Jacob.
I am not going to give away any plot secrets in this review – in case you have not read the books. If you have read them, you know the story. For those of you who haven’t, it will be more fun for you to be surprised. And surprised, you will.
In essence, the movie is about losing your love – your heart and soul – and trying to learn how to live without that love. It’s about not caring if you live or die once that love is gone. This loss is something that most every boy and girl past their teenage years can identify with. (Sorry, tweens and teens, you’ll probably experience this sometime in your life.) Questions like: What do you do when someone breaks up with you? Leaves you? That’s what makes these Twilight books and movies so appealing and so wonderful. They’re about relationships – about love.
Twilight was lush and romantic; New Moon is heartbreaking and action-packed with the introduction of all the werewolves and the Volturi coven in Italy. And, New Moon brings out the question about the soul. Not only is this movie about love and relationships, but it posits a more profound question: Do vampires have souls? Where do they go when they die? New Moon deals with Edward’s belief that vampires do not have souls and that humans do. Edward thinks that by leaving Bella, he’s doing what’s best for her. I like to believe that anything living has a soul. Animals have souls. Beings have souls. Actually, I believe we are souls who have bodies. Not the other way around. So,yes, Edward, you have a soul. You are soul!
To recap: This movie is wonderful and will not disappoint fans. Directed by Chris Weitz, (The Golden Compass), he takes the action scenes to a new level in New Moon. Melissa Rosenberg adapted the screenplay from Stephenie Meyer’s book, New Moon. Rosenberg also wrote the screenplay for Twilight.)
The music is quite good, although I have to admit I miss the original "haunting" score from Twilight. Leading off with Death Cab For Cutie's infectious "Meet Me On The Equinox," New Moon's fifteen tracks are good, covering indie moods and attitudes. Some of the best material comes from unknown acts like Lykke Li whose sensuous "Possibility" is breathtaking. Anya Marina’s “Satellite Heart” is whispery and soulful; Bon Iver and St. Vincent perform a memorable song, “Rosyln,” and San Francisco’s Black Rebel Motor Cycle Club performs the wonderful “Done All Wrong.”
As the credits start rolling on the screen, I come back and remember where I am. I’m back from Forks, Washington…back from Montepulciano, Italy…I’ve said goodbye to Bella and Edward and Jacob…for now…
Michael loves the movie as much as I do. He and I leave the theater. He asks me if I’d like to get an early breakfast and discuss the movie. Sure, I tell him. After all, the stars are still bright, the air is crisp…and love is in the air. I put my arm through his and we head off into the night…
Bella, Edward and Jacob, see you next year in “Eclipse.”
UPDATE: The Twilight Saga: New Moon has topped the performances of The Dark Knight and Harry Potter to record the biggest midnight opening in movie history. It earned a massive $26.27 million in 3,514 theaters to beat the previous record of $22.2 million, held by Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Thank you, Stephenie Meyer for these wonderful books!
Comments
Excellent and unique review of the movie. Can't wait to see it!
I have read all the twilight books at least seven times each and absolutely adore them. However, I saw the movie and was a little disappointed. It was overall great and the actors performances improved but I felt certain crucial scenes were left out.
Movie was great. Even my husband liked it. I've never seen a movie that I liked better then the book. Having said that I understand the limits making a movie has on time and information that can be squeezed in. Movie was great. I think none readers will enjoy it as much as readers!!! Looking forward to Eclipse!!!!
congratulations on the dumbest sentence ever--
"the pace is slow, deliberate, yet fast-paced"
uhhhh sorry that doesn't make one bit of sense and is completely contradictory.
other than that--nice review. lol.
I saw it midnight release. It was fantastic. Chris Weitz did an amazing job, and he did New Moon Justice, and I can say that I don't think he left anything out. New Moon was intense, romantic, emotional, scary and insightful. Some people laughed at the newly released trailer where Jacob (lautner) transforms into a wolf. On t.v. I didn't look so well, but I must say in theatres, it completley blew me away. All the wolves were scary and terrifying. The acting has improved tremendously, along with the make up. I was very impressed in the transformation in Kristen Stewarts acting from Twilight to New Moon. For those of you afraid to see it because of a few bad reveiws, i would said ignore the reviews. For those of us Twilight fans, New Moon will sink in deep. The CGI effects were amazing and alls I can say is I am seeing it again on Sunday
I LOVE TATLORL. HIS IS SO GOOD IN THIS MVIE HONESTLY AND HE KICK THE ASH OF ROB PATTINSN,REALLY IAM VERY GOOD CRITIC COMPARE TO UGLY AMERICAN CRTITIC.KRISTEN AND TAYLOR SAVE THE TWILIGHT SAGA NEWMOON WITH TATLOR AND KRISTEN THE MOVIE ILLUMINATE COMPARE TO ROB AND KRISTEN WHICH MAKE FALL ASLEEP HONESTLY T WATCH MOVIE SINCE T WAS 12 YRS OLD AND IAM ON MY 60 HONESTLY TRUTFULLY JACOB AND BELLA SAVE NEWMOON...THANKS I LOVE YOU BOTH...
I loved it, I'm 45 years old and it makes me feel like i did when i was in love in high school.You feel your life is over if you break-up with some!
i love kristen and taylor the sreen illuminate when they are together kris and rob bores me to drath there chemistry suckes....
"But, it is so much better if you know the story because of all the layers of emotions. This Twilight belongs to me – to all of us who love it. I am at home here. My friends are here. My thoughts are here."
I completely agree. I think a lot of the haters out there have never read the books and have never been into the twilight craze. I can see how they might not enjoy the movie the way we fans do. I also feel that this movie was made for the fans. We totally get it, understand it, and feel it. It was a great opportunity for friends to get together and let their twilight flags fly. And we loved every minute of it. Thanks to Chris and the entire cast for working so hard to truly make a movie for the fans.
To Ed: About my statement: "the pace is slow, deliberate, yet fast-paced"...The pace is slow regarding the way Kristen reacts to Edward's breakup...It lets us feel her emotions. The pace is fast regarding the excitement of the werewolves and their intense fighting scenes and the scenes with the Volturi. You have a juxtaposition of slow pace (emotional, depressed, slow moving...) and the fast pace (quick fight scenes, on-the-edge of your seat anxiety)...Hope this explanation helps. And it is the contradiction that's so interesting.
I really want to see the movie!!!!!!!! I hope I do!!=]
Great review!
fantastic review. you really captured the mood!
the movie is breath takingly good good chemistry beween Bella n Jacob. All the characters are expressing thier unique set of emotions. fine review
Excellent review. I live in South Asia (Bangladesh) and unfortunately I don't get to see the movie until DVD is out. But I am a huge fan of Twilight, both the books and the movie. So I was trying to savour my desire to see New Moon by reading reviews.All the reviews that I have read till now were mostly about how bad the movie was.I was really starting to lose my heart.But your review made me more eager to watch the movie.I am a huge fan of Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.Many are complaining about their acting talents.But I think those who read the books will be able to understand the subtle emotions more clearly.Looking forward to watch it.
Great review, my thoughts exactly. How was your breakfast, I liked that part of you review :)
To Amanda: My breakfast was delicious and my new friend is wonderful. Turns out, he is a music and movie buff like I am. We have a lot in common. And he's soooooo cute! Will keep you posted on the turn of events.
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