There Will Be Blood ~ Movie Review of ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1’

‘Breaking Dawn Part 1’ is probably the best of the ‘Twilight’ films thus far.  For the purpose of full discloser I admit I am a fan of the books and movies, but I’m not a super fan.  However I did see ‘Breaking Dawn’ at a midnight showing (my first midnight showing of any film ever) the evening included a large group along with food and drink which would have made the night fun even if the film turned out to be lackluster which was far from the case. 

 

           Much like the previous ‘Twilight’ theatrical releases, I thought the film improved the storyline from the novel.  It has been a few years since I read the book, but I distinctly remember it went a bit off road * Spoiler Alert *  with the birth of Renesmee as a vampire human hybrid whose gestation almost kills her mother – I guess it does kill her mother, but as fans know….  ‘Breaking Dawn Part 1’ ends with the birth of the child along with the transformation of Bella.  The introduction of Renesmee reveals little of her nature except for the fact that a certain werewolf won’t be howling at the moon alone for the rest of his furry life.  Thankfully the movie addresses in a humorous manner the awkwardness of the name Renesmee.

 

           Another aspect I recall after reading the novel, which was a month or so before the first film debuted, was wondering how would the producers and director would address the storyline since some of the scenes in the book were graphic.  The film had to find the right balance with staying true to the Stephenie Meyer’s vision while maintaining the PG-13 rating that would allow younger fans of the series to see this film incarnation.  Listen, Edward and Bella have pent up sexual frustration when they finally exercise their passion it results in destroying a bed.  In her books Meyers made it clear that there was no sex before marriage but after wedlock watch out all bets are off!

 

           I thought director Bill Condon did an amazing job.  ‘Breaking Dawn’ seems like an odd project for him since his previous efforts included the musical ‘Dreamgirls’ along smaller films such as ‘Gods and Monsters’ and ‘Kinsey’ – all of which were excellent.  I applaud his bravery in taking the helm of the last two ‘Twilight’ franchise films since failure to produce could bring with it the wrath of millions of obsessed fans.  Did you see the Hollywood premiere?  It was an Occupy Wall Street operation except with people dressed in wedding dresses posing with cutouts of Edward Cullen in his matrimonial tux.   

 

            Another thing Condon and screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg (she has authored all of the ‘Twilight’ scripts) did right was inject a lot more light humor into the movie which offered a great counter balance between the love triangle angst and the blood craving baby mama drama.  The film used the already established humorous elements of the supporting characters to add filler to the story.  Billy Burke as Bella’s father Sheriff Charlie Swan makes a heartfelt toast at the wedding reception reminding the crowd (he obviously isn’t overjoyed that his 18 year-old-daughter is getting hitched) that he knows how to hunt and use firearms.  Anna Kendrick continued her ‘Twilight’ streak of stealing all of the scenes she is in with her sly delivery of passive aggressive quips.  Further, and this might be because I just watched again Part 1 of ‘Harry Potter and the Deadly Hollows’, the cinematography of ‘Breaking Dawn’ was such that even in night scenes a viewer could see everything.  One of my problems with the last films of the ‘Potter’ series was that they were so dark at times it was hard to distinguish the action.

 

             I thought all of the actors did a fine job.  Kristen Stewart seemed to have curbed some of her acting ticks (such as when she bites on her lower lip).  I thought she deftly handed a scene where she displayed a comedic wit and awkwardness as a bride who wants her husband to ravish her…again.  Taylor Lautner continues to project likeability into a character that through most of the story doesn’t have too much to be happy about.  As for Robert Pattinson, all I have to judge him are some of the other film roles I have seen him in (recently in ‘Water for Elephants’) and I think his acting style is stiff which helps him as a vampire, but may not serve him well in future acting endeavors.  Of the three leads, I fear for his future in films the most.  I think Lautner holds the most promise while Stewart has displayed a willingness to take on challenging parts such as Joan Jett in ‘The Runaways’.

 

             Another happy edition to this latest ‘Twilight’ offering is that the scenes with the werewolves are much more intense than they have been in the past.  The inner dialogue they have does border on corny but the CGI saves these scenes which under different conditions could actually be downright frightening. 

 

           The only drawback I can think of for the film is that as of this writing ‘Part II’ isn’t set for release until November 2012 which I think is way too long in between pictures.  I write this more as an observer of movie trends than as a ‘Twilight’ fan.  I think a year is too long an interval for a film that is divided between Part I and II.  I felt that the recent ‘Harry Potter’ films prove my point.  Last year on November 19^th ‘Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows’ was released then on July 15^th ‘Deadly Hallows Part II’ debuted.  Frankly I was lost for a lot of ‘Potter Part II’ because ‘Part I’ wasn’t fresh in my memory and ‘Part II’ felt anti-climactic because of it.  I fear the same fate for ‘Breaking Dawn’.  Besides the lapse of time, I think it is a gamble for the studio (Summit) that the fans will still be invested (I imagine they will be, but these sorts of phenomena have a shelf life, ask any boy band) and second what if something tragic or displeasing happens to one of the cast?  There are a million different contingencies that can happen within a year.  For instance, 9/11 caused studios to rethink films in development or on the cusp of theatrical debuts (movies dealing with terrorism or had shots of the World Trade Centers in the New York skyline).  Not to mention that the mood of the American audience had changed.  If ‘Breaking Dawn Part II’ is complete then just show it a few months in the future, perhaps timing it with the release of the DVD.  I’m sure it would burn up the Spring box office.  

 

            I would recommend ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1’ if you are even remotely a ‘Twilight’ fan.  I don’t think that the film would hold up on its own if you aren’t acquainted with the ‘Twilight’ universe, so do take that into consideration.  Although it was fun to see in the theater I don’t necessarily feel that it is a movie you have to see at your local Cineplex, however some of the scenes probably need to be seen on a large screen to fully appreciate them.  Overall I think ‘Twilight’ fans will be very pleased. 

 

Westerfield © 2011