The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (An honest review)
This article was first published in the Philippine Online Chronicles.

If you’re a hardcore Twilight fan, you’re going to love Breaking Dawn. If you’re not a fan of the franchise, go ahead and see it but equip yourself with a sense of humour. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1’s tagline says “Forever is only the beginning.”

While it’s apt for Edward and Bella finally getting hitched, it’s also the perfect line to capture the tone of the movie. Some parts seemed to take forever to wrap up. Just get on it with already!, I thought to myself many times during the film. Then I remembered that’s exactly how I felt about the book. It, too, was slow and self-indulgent. It wasn’t all bad though. There was Bella’s stunning hair piece (highlight of the wedding, I must say). The much better chemistry between Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. And of course, a cute little vampire baby. Spoilers follow.

So here’s what happened…

Finally, Edward Cullen (Pattinson) and Bella Swan (Stewart) are getting married. (Cue screaming of Team Edward.) Bella’s best friend, Jacob Black, (Taylor Lautner) becomes distraught at the news, then runs away with his shirt off (cue screaming of Team Jacob.) No worries, he appears again after the ceremony to congratulate the newlyweds, but not without some overly melodramatic moments (Cue the beginning of many yawns).

Bella and Edward spend their honeymoon in Isle Esme, a private island of the Cullens in Brazil. They finally have sex! I’m sure Bella was very happy. Edward apparently wasn’t, despite him saying “it was the best night of his existence.” Because of his super vampire strength, he not only broke the bed, the headboard, and destroyed a couple of pillows, but unintentionally gave Bella some bruises too. Traumatized by how he could have hurt Bella, he takes sex off the table. During their honeymoon. Even if his wife parades in skimpy undies. Meanwhile, Bella interprets the bruises as love. Way to send a good message to the under-18 crowd, huh? While not tempted by her skivvies, Edward eventually gives in to her pleadings after she cries about a sex dream she had of the two of them (Yes, they’re still on their honeymoon while this is happening). Shortly after (literally a day or two after), Bella is pregnant with a monster baby growing at an alarming rate. The honeymoon is cut short and they fly back to Forks.

Back home, Carlisle explains that this vampire baby could possibly kill Bella. Edward develops ill feelings towards “the thing,” telling Bella that they should get rid of the monster before she gets harmed any further. Bella is adamant about keeping the baby. Never mind if her ribs are being broken by the mutant baby. Never mind if it is draining her off her own blood. Never mind if she has to drink blood from a Styrofoam cup through a straw to nourish her fetus. Bella has suddenly possessed a strong maternal instinct and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. She also finds an unlikely ally in former mean girl Rosalie. Now BFFs, Rosalie, who always wanted to have her own child, takes care of a heavily pregnant Bella.

All is not well with the Quileute tribe, however. The werewolf pack believes that Edward and Bella’s vampire child is an abomination, a threat that can grow stronger. They decide to kill Bella before she gives birth, but Jacob comes to the forefront and acts as protector of the Cullens for now. He tells the Sam, the pack leader, he will kill the baby himself.

Back at Home Cullen, Bella shares her baby name selections with the family. If it’s a boy, E.J. or Edward Jacob, to which Edward beams. Seriously Edward? You want to have your baby named after someone who tried stealing your then-girlfriend away from you many, many times? And Bella, selfish much? If it’s a girl, it’s Renesmee – a combination of the baby’s grandmother’s names Renee and Esmee. Here’s where one highlight of the movie comes: Alice, Rose, and Jacob trying to stifle their giggles at how ridiculously absurd the name is. I wonder if Bella ever considered Charlisle (Charlie-Carlisle, see?).

Then Bella’s spine cracks and labour begins. This was the part of the film I was looking forward to the most. Not the feather-in-your-hair sex scenes, seriously, but the labour. It was written so grotesquely in the book I was curious how director Bill Condon would bring it to life. Bella writhing on the floor with broken bones? Edward biting into Bella’s abdomen to perform an emergency Caesarean? Come on! Surprisingly, it wasn’t as gross and as insanely written as it was in the book. At this point of the movie though, I didn’t know what to feel. I think I was numbed by the slow and sloppy pacing throughout the film that I needed this jolt of a bloody birth scene.

But hey, rejoice! It’s a baby girl! Renesmee is one healthy little bub, but mother Bella has flat lined. Edward injects his venom straight into her heart in an effort to still save her. While he tries to revive her, Jacob plots to kill the baby as a result of it killing Bella. But as he approaches the baby, something happens. He imprints. To millions of hardcore Twilight fans (including this former hardcore Twilight fan), this is another much anticipated moment. So that’s how werewolves imprint. Imprinting is finding your soul mate. Imprinting means he is obliged to love Renesmee forever and protect her at all costs. This was the love of his life, today and in the days to come, and his role as protector begins. As he looks into Renesmee’s baby eyes, he sees her future and the future they will share together. No wonder Jacob was always drawn to Bella. No wonder Bella felt “complete” with Jacob around (even with hubby Edward present). He was connected to her on a biological level. His soul mate, apparently, is the daughter of his first love. Yes, Stephenie Meyer’s storytelling is twisted like that.

The werewolves pack cannot attack Renesmee, as werewolves cannot harm someone from the pack has imprinted on. The truce between the Cullens and Quileutes is revived.

The film wraps up by showing Bella’s transformation from broken human to ethereally beautiful vampire. Apparently, Renesmee isn’t the only newborn in the family. Bella opens her eyes and reveals blood red pupils – the mark of a newborn vampire.

This former Twihard’s thoughts in a nutshell

The negatives: Clunky script. Schizophrenic soundtrack. Stilted musical montages. Stephenie Meyer cameo (She already had a cameo in the first movie!). Brazilian street party (the point?). Super leaden pacing. I can’t blame the movie for how bad it was though because the book it was based on pretty much sucked.

The positives: Bella’s sapphire-studded heirloom hairpiece. Bella’s life flashing before her eyes as she transforms into a vampire. (I loved the throwback to the first three movies and most especially, the family shot of Charlie, Renee and baby Bella at the end). Most of all, Charlie Swan’s reply to Bella when she asks him not to let her fall as they walk down the aisle (“Never.”). *sniff*

So that’s how Part 1 ends. What’s in store for the second, and last, installation? Well, there’s the Volturi, who learn about the marriage of Edward and Bella (and maybe even more). There’s the introduction of more vampires. There’s Bella’s adjustment to the vampire life. How will she tell her parents? Can she and Edward finally have unbridled sex? And of course, there’s Renesmee. What kind of trouble will she bring? What’s her future with Jacob going to be like? We will have to wait till November of 2012, or you can read the book and find out what happens. But just as I said in the beginning of this piece, equip yourself with a sense of humour. And patience. Lots and lots of patience.

What I liked about it:

• There’s more energy in Eclipse compared to the first two. Finally! It started off really slow, but it picks up towards the end.
• I like how David Slade puts in this “30 Days of Night” feel as the movie starts. It’s grey, dark, ominous.
• Riley! I think Xavier Samuel was perfectly cast. I just wish there were more of him, but then again the book doesn’t have much of him. A “Where is he now?” story would be great, but well, you know what happens to him in the movie. Darn it.
• Finally, more chemistry between Edward and Bella. In the first two films, I didn’t feel spark between them. Yeah yeah, that’s not how majority of Twihards probably felt, but this my review, okay? Whatever it is that David Slade told them, it worked. I felt more connection between the two of them. FINALLY, I felt that they belonged together, and that Jacob was a third wheel. I think it’s because they finally share a giggle or two. It’s not all intense staring at each other anymore. It finally feels like a real relationship.
• Edward struggling with Bella’s individuality. “If I ask you to stay in the car, would you?” (Bella goes out of the car.) “Of course not.” Haha. Again, more of a real relationship coming to surface here. They’re both still dazzled by each other, but it’s not all glitz that’s keeping the two together now.

• Jessica’s graduation speech. Was that in the book? I think she was great. It makes me more interested in her! I want to know where she goes after Forks. I want to know if she moves on to bigger things. I didn’t realize she was that smart. I was thinking Angela would be valedictorian.
• The proposal. Very literal translation from the book, which I liked. The ring was gorgeous!
• Jasper and Alice. There’s a moment in the book (not sure if in Eclipse or the first two) when Bella said she felt like an intruder when she was with Alice and Jasper. Their love for each other was just so intense she felt she was interfering in their moment. That’s how I felt when Alice snuggled up to Jasper after he told Bella his story. Go Team Jasper-Alice!
• The tent scene. This was a very important scene for me to watch, as it was one of the most intense in the book. I’m glad it stayed the same in the film. “I’m hotter than you,” goes Jacob. Him telling the duo it would be better without Bella’s clothes, thinking manly thoughts that annoyed Edward… Hey, did he crack the space heater joke? I don’t recall.

• Edward’s annoyance with Jacob was funny. “Doesn’t he own a shirt?” Haha. I like how emotions are FINALLY breaking through Edward’s cold, cold surface. Thanks RPattz. I think you’re better here than in the first two films.

• Save the best for last: Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black. From a happy-go-lucky Jacob in “Twilight” to the angsty one in “New Moon” to the all-grown up, still angsty, but more passionate wolf in “Eclipse,” he was the highlight of the movie. I could feel his love for Bella. I could feel his anger and helplessness. I like how Taylor Lautner shows his emotions without having to look constipated like Edward. Sorry Team Edward, I know that Rob is fine and all, but his Edward is just a bit too stone cold in acting to me (to think this is an improvement over the first two films).

What I didn’t like about it:

• The newborns weren’t scary. If the newborns are a SUPER threat, couldn’t there have been more of a struggle when the Cullens and the wolves were fighting them? Easy, breezy, that’s how the fight seemed to me. Newborns are supposed to be creepy strong kind of scary. I didn’t feel their hunger or thirst in the film at all. I liked how Eclipse had more action than the other two films, but I wish there were more newborn action.
• Victoria. Sorry, I like you Bryce Dallas Howard, but Rachel Lefevre just made a creepier Victoria to me. The new Victoria just wasn’t sinister enough to be the main villain here.
• The Volturi. It’s been years since I’ve read the book, so I can’t remember how threatening they were. I do remember that while reading I went, “Uh oh, they’re coming to Forks and Bella isn’t a vampire yet. What’s gonna happen???” Well, I didn’t feel that same tension in the movie. They seemed like “by the way’s” to me. I like Dakota Fanning and company, but wish there presence was more relevant to the plot.
• Happy ending. Well, again, you know I’m on Team Jacob. Of course the movie just had to end the way it did. In the book though, it ends with Jacob’s perspective. He receives the wedding invitation through the mail, transforms into a wolf, howls and disappears into the woods. Now, that’s dramatic. THAT’S what the “eclipse” is all about. At the end, night time always wins even during daytime.

Overall, I think David Slade did a fine job. Is he directing “Breaking Dawn?” I don’t think so. I wish he were. Did “Eclipse” eclipse the first two films? You bet it did. Will I watch this again? You know what, if it’s on STAR movies or HBO, I would. Twilight comes on now and I just zap channels. But if Eclipse does get shown on TV, I’ll make time to watch it. Watching it in the movie house though? Nah. Once is enough.

What did YOU think of the movie? Share your thoughts! There are no right or wrong opinions here, so comment with no fear of being judged.

All images from Photobucket

I’d love this for our library. It won’t be for the baby. It’d be for ME!

Here’s the official movie overview from Fandango:

Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob — knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life.

ECLIPSE is my favorite book from among the four in the series. It’s action-packed, the tension between Edward and Jacob is more palpable, and Bella isn’t as whiny, as far as I can remember. Oh yeah, I have issues with our heroine. I’m still watching the movie anyway!

Here’s the official movie trailer:

I think you can bring your man with you when you see this film because of all the action. Well, I’m just judging based on the trailer. It has more energy than the past two films don’t you think?

ECLIPSE is directed by David Slade, the same guy who directed 30 Days of Night. I like the latter film a lot, and ooh it was a vampire movie too, so I’m curious how he’ll make Eclipse come alive.

June 30! Woohoo! Are you looking forward to this film too?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you may have heard of the book Twilight. It’s about a “vegetarian” vampire (i.e. doesn’t drink human blood) named Edward and a clumsy human Bella who are head over heels in love with each other. Thanks to Stephenie Meyer, the world of vampires and werewolves became more fascinating to me.

Recently, I became hooked on yet another vampire-centric book series. “Hooked on” is putting it lightly. “Addicted” is more like it.

Dead Until Dark is the first book in Charlaine Harris’ The Southern Vampire Mysteries. Here we are introduced to the telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse from Bon Temps, Louisiana, how she becomes romantically involved with a vampire named Bill and deals with a couple of murders in their small town.

I loved this book! I immediately read the next one, Living Dead in Dallas, and the next one, Club Dead. I don’t have any of the books that followed so I can’t wait to get to a bookstore soon!

The HBO series “True Blood” was adapted from these novels. I’ve started watching Season 1 and am thrilled with how they brought the characters to life. Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer as Sookie and Bill are spot on!

I can’t wait to know what happens next to Sookie. Don’t tell me though because I’m only up to the third book! I’d have to cover my ears and go “La la la la la!” if you tell.

Thanks to Eper for the link lead!

Classic line from the New Moon book: “Did you know you’re sort of beautiful?” *insert fan girl shriek* Go Team Jacob!

I still have shivers from watching it the first time.

What ran through my head as I watched the trailer (thoughts are in chronological order, and don’t read unless you’ve seen the trailer!):

1. New Moon trailer? This is different from the MTV Movie awards teaser?
2. Oh, it looks the same. Was this in the book? I can’t remember.
3. Woah. Kissy kissy.
4. Robert is hot. Kristen is hot too.
5. Aliiiiiiice!
6. Hey, Esme has new hair.
7. I love the look of this movie. So much cleaner than Twilight.
8. JASPER!!!
9. Damn, Robert Pattinson is so hot in that forest scene.
10. Aw, Bella on the forest floor.
11. Kristen Stewart is soooo pretty. I like her look better here.
12. JACOB IS THE HOTNESS.
13. JACOB IS THE HOTNESS.
14. JACOB IS THE HOTNESS.
15. Weeeeeeeeeeee! Wolfie!
16. November 20 is far toooooo far!!!

Repeat 5x.

Are you excited for New Moon too?

Jacob is hotness. ’nuff said. (via JoBlo.com)

Thanks to J. Ana for the link!

New Moon News: So Catherine’s out, Chris Weitz is the rumored new director, a new Jacob could be cast, the budget slightly increased to $50 million, and pre-production is slated to start on Dec. 15th. (source) Rushing much?

Seeing your favorite fictional characters from a book come to life in a movie is magical. The first time Edward Cullen appeared on-screen, I couldn’t help but give a silent squeal. I think I squeezed my husband’s hand extra hard too. It was quite surreal seeing Edward Cullen in the flesh, golden eyes, grimaces and all.

Overall, I found the movie entertaining. If you don’t want to find out what happens in the movie, please do not read any further. I’ll be sharing many details from the film. Consider yourselves warned! Spoilers alert!

I enjoyed the movie. It wasn’t perfect, but it was okay. Top three things I enjoyed the most about it are the Cullen family, cold, damp Forks and the Edward-Bella scenes that made me want to squeal like a tween. Here are the details!

What I loved in/about the movie:
1. Casting was awesome.
Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen. Wow. Robert Pattinson is really good-looking, that has to be said. And he played that tortured soul really well. Those grimaces, the look of desire to eat/kiss/eat/kiss Bella… Pattinson WAS Edward. That penetrating stare was scary and sexy. Another thing I liked about Robert Pattinson was how he made Edward seem so ironically fragile. He was strong and fast and again, really good-looking, but also disgusted with himself. He made this vampire Edward seem vulnerably (and desirably)… human.
Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan. She’s got that simple but ethereal Bella charm. My husband thought she was sensual and hot! Another male friend thought the same thing. I also enjoyed how she brought Bella’s awkwardness to life, how she didn’t want to be seen as the new girl, the first parts of the film.
Billy Burke as Charlie Swan. This was a revelation! In the book, I saw Charlie as more of an “in the background” kinda guy. But man, Mr. Burke really brought a lot of heart in to Charlie’s character. He really showed how much love he had for Bella, but in that non-demonstrative way. Charlie was quiet, but you could feel how protective he was of his daughter. One of my favorite Charlie scenes was when Bella pretended to break up with Edward and walked out on her father. It was heartbreaking seeing Charlie try to comprehend what was happening. Again, he didn’t say much but wow, you could see in his eyes how lost and heartbroken he was. Charlie was my favorite character in this movie.
Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black. It worked for me! 15-year-old Jacob kept a low profile in this film, but the last scene he had gave a little teaser into the coming rivalry with Edward. New Moon here we come!
The humans! I loved the humans. I thought the casting was really good. Mike Newton was charming, Angela, the quiet one, was endearing, Jessica was cute, Eric was refreshing. They’re such a fun circle of friends, why go hang out with a bunch of vampires? *a picture of Edward Cullen flashes in mind* Oh, right.
The Cullen family. I could feel the kinship! Carlisle stole the show here. Peter Facinelli gave the doctor a take-charge attitude and was really fatherly.
Robert Pattinson-Kristen Stewart as Edward and Bella. They look really good together.
The Quileutes. I liked Billy Black! Sam and Embry too even if they were there for not more than ten seconds. Darn it.

2. The moments when Edward would put his arm around Bella. Oh man. Gush, gush, gush. That little gesture just made me swoon.

3. Baseball scene! Loved the action here! Those lightning strikes, jumping around, the music! Fun, fun.

4. The biology scenes. That first shot of Edward alone at the lab table was awesome. It was a beauty shot, definitely. And his hand on the nose thing that made Bella discreetly check herself? Funny! And the second biology scene when Edward introduces himself, ooooh, the tension begins! Prophase and anaphase never sounded so compelling.

5. The music. I love the soundtrack! Favorites played during the movie were the songs during the baseball scene, the “Bella Italia” scene (that’s Rob singing!) and the gazebo scene (word is Kristen Stewart suggested that song). Whenever Robert Pattinson’s songs were played during the movie, I wanted to squeal.

6. The first time the Cullens walked into the cafeteria. Oh man, I was thrilled!!! Here were my favorite vampires! Rosalie and Emmett (and their white make-up), cute Alice and Jasper, and hot Edward. Loved the smile he gave when Jessica said something about him not dating anybody. Eeee! First Edward smile!

7. Forks, Washington. Oh wow, I loved how cold and damp this place is! It’s all grey and wet, you totally get why the Cullens like it there. I also enjoyed the cinematography. That aerial shot of the forest was beautiful.

8. That scene where Bella falls asleep on his chest. Damn. That look of utter devotion on Edward’s face as he gazed at his sleeping lady? Perfection. So tortured, so desiring yet in control. Robert Pattinson, you rock.

What I didn’t like in/about the movie:
1. I missed the build-up of Edward-Bella loving. First of all, I felt that the movie was choppy and rushed. Because of that, I didn’t get the crescendo of passion between the two. It was there eventually, but it was the gradual awakening of the love that made the love story so thrilling. More specifically, I felt Edward’s desire for Bella. Now Bella’s desire for Edward… more on that later.

2. Jasper’s trying-not-to-eat-Bella acting. He’s good-looking, yes. But the times when he was supposedly trying to control himself from getting too close to Bella… er… I thought he could’ve showed it much better. It was as if he always in shock, not struggling. But if shock was the intent, then he delivered.

3. The make-up threw me off at first. The vampire white make-up was a bit of an exaggeration for me at first, but I got used to it eventually.

4. The nomads weren’t menacing enough. Since Victoria, James and Laurent were the main antagonists, I was expecting them to be really vile and creepy. They’re all sexy and gorgeous, but not menacing. I didn’t feel creeped out a single bit.

5. The effects. Maybe it’ll be better in New Moon, which will probably have a bigger budget.

6. Not enough Cullens. Aside from Edward and Carlisle, I would’ve loved to see more of Emmett, Rosalie, Esme, Jasper and Alice.

I’m on the fence with…
1. Bella’s desire for Edward. The earlier parts when she was trying to get the hang of the new school and her new home, I enjoyed that. She was a little fidgety, angsty. I felt that. But as she got to know Edward, I couldn’t feel her falling in love. Intrigued about the vampire, yes, but not in love. Apart from the kissing scene (which should’ve been longer!), I didn’t get her very human desire (you know what I mean) for Edward. It’s like she was holding something back all the time. I didn’t catch any smitten, lovelorn vibe from her. I did from Edward, but not from Bella.

Maybe it was the script. Because I do like Kristen Stewart. Maybe a little more passion from Bella would’ve been good? Or was it tempered so the film can cater to a younger audience? I don’t know. I’m half and half on this one.

2. The lullaby. Oh no. Edward humming Bella to sleep? Edward on the keys and saying, “You inspired this one…” It wasn’t there! Unless you’ve read the book, you wouldn’t have known there was a lullabye moment at all. Just a gorgeously composed piano piece. I was happy with how the lullaby sounds, but sad that it wasn’t considered a key scene in the film. Oh well. You can’t have everything.

And so…
The Twilight film is special in its own way, so let’s not compare it with the book. And does this make me excited about New Moon? Yes! Go Team Jacob! Will I watch the movie again? I sure will.

This quote from the movie “10 Things I Hate About You” best captures how I feel about the film:
Chastity: “I know you can be overwhelmed, and you can be underwhelmed, but can you ever just be whelmed?”
Bianca: “I think you can in Europe. “

And I think you can in Twilight. I’m not ecstatic about the film, but I’m not disappointed either. I enjoyed it. I was… whelmed.

Now don’t go throwing tomatoes at me! These are my opinions. What did you think of the film? Feel free to share! I’d love to hear your thoughts.