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Taylor Lautner stars as Jacob in TWILIGHT: NEW MOON

Posted: November 20, 2009 at 3:02 pm   /   by   /   comments (1)


newmoonTHE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON is the second movie in the film series, derived from the popular novels by Stephenie Meyer. This time around, the audience is introduced to more action than the first film – and fans of the series are given more of the love story that they have been waiting for all year.

The main conflict of the film centers around age, and Bella’s insecurity as she gets older. Meanwhile, Edward is over 100 years old and looks a year younger than her. The movie starts out with Bella having a nightmare about introducing Edward to her grandmother. When they meet, Bella realizes that it is actually her as an old lady – and Edward still looks exactly the same. This leads into the day of her Birthday, where she tries to forget about getting older and is basically depressed during the entire day. Even though she tries to tell everyone, including the Cullens, not to get her gifts – they do anyway.

The evening of Bella’s birthday, her and Edward go to his house and are met with an unexpected party that his family decided to throw for her. She reluctantly celebrates with the clan, opening presents and, against her will, starting to have a good time. Until one of her packages gives her a paper cut upon opening it, and cutting her finger. A single drop of blood falls to the ground, and a room full of vampires are immediately stricken with grief. Jasper, lacking the self control of the others due to his short time away from human blood, immediately starts sprinting towards Bella. Here we see time slow down, and Edward’s lighting quick reaction as he pushed Bella out of the way and sends Jasper flying across the room with a single blow. Edward returns to check on his wounded companion, only to find that she has cut her arm pretty badly. The rest of the Cullens have to leave the room – as the temptation is too great. Only he and Carlisle, father of the clan and town physician, stay in the room. Carlisle tells Edward to find Jasper, while he attends to Bella’s wounds.

Bella and Carlisle’s conversation, along with the occurrences that evening, are what set the rest of the movie into motion. Bella asks the doctor how he can control himself around human blood and fight the temptation. He explains to her that he has had a lot of practice, and that it is not easy at first. As he repairs Bella’s wounds, she asks him why Edward will not turn her into one of their kind. She wants to know why he will not help her avoid encounters like the one she just suffered from, and let them live together while never aging. Carlisle explains that they are living without souls, and that he is surely Damned to Hell. The last thing that Edward wants to do is to take that from her. He finishes wrapping her cuts, and Edward drives her back home. In an emotional confrontation, you can sense that Edward is devastated about what has happened, and Bella becomes only more angry about why Edward will not change her. She tells him that he can have her soul, and they she only wants him. The tension between the two of them grows, and Edward walks off into the night.

The film gets off to a slow start. It is most likely something that only fans of the series can appreciate, as it follows the book closely. But as the move progresses, it gets more and more interesting. It is intriguing to watch the interactions between Edward and Bella, as they both struggle with their emotions. Bella fears getting older, and knows that they can never grow old together unless she becomes a vampire. Edward on the other hand truly loves Bella, and does not care if she gets older or not. He knows that he will never leave Bella, no matter how old she gets; something that Bella can not convince herself of. The on-screen chemistry between the two is better this time around, but still lacks a certain something that would make it seem completely natural. But there is a lot of conflict throughout, and you do feel the tension.

The actors have surely grown since the first film, and the film actually becomes easier to watch. Kristen Stewart has had more acting experience over the last year, and seems to have no problem pulling off the tormented and depressed role that she has to portray in NEW MOON. Robert Pattinson has more of a glossed over look during the film, as Edward tries to stay strong and do what he thinks is best for Bella’s well being. We do not see much emotion from his character, but he pulls off the role that we expect him to be able to. The actor that really portrays the widest range of emotions in the film is Taylor Lautner, who plays Jacob. Jacob is there for Bella when Edward is not, and the two become best friends. When Bella is tormented by her nightmares, being with Jacob puts her at ease. Both Jacob and Lautner have grown since the first film, both maturing as a young adult and actor respectively. We see Jacob struggle between his friendship with Bella and the feelings that he has for her. We also see his struggle with becoming a part of something that isn’t natural for his character. He probably stands out as one of the most prominent characters on screen. The rest of the actors do a fine job, with a couple of standout performances. Peter Facinelli as Dr. Carlisle Cullen does a great job in the role. Michael Sheen also adds another style of acting the the film, as Aro – the leader of the Voturi vampires.

Overall, the second film in the second film in the TWILIGHT SAGA delivers exactly what you would expect it to, and will not leave fans disappointed. The story drags at times, but moves much faster than it’s predecessor. There is more action this time for the guys, and more of Jacob for the ladies. If you are a fan of the genre, the movie should be entertaining if nothing else.

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON gets a C+