The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)

Directed by, Chris Weitz__Starring, Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner 


Movie number two in the new preteen cult classic series, "Twilight", based on the popular young adult novels. The "Twilight" saga, with the release of its second film, "New Moon," has now made it's name by stealing the third place spot for most money grossed by a film opening weekend. So, it must be an instant classic, yes? Well, it fell a bit short of MY expectations, which, were not soaring too high.


The sole reason this film has been so successful, is because it has the undying support of almost every female who ages from 7 to 25 years of age. how does it do it? The answer is simple, it feeds the hormones of young women all too conspicuously, using rippling male abdomens and OVER THE TOP melodrama. 


It was almost too painful to watch at times, and I try my best not to be harsh, (being that i value my life). The acting alone was too dry and bland, the actors/actresses seemed almost uninterested at times, as if they were applying no effort at conveying ANY emotion, and when they did show emotion, it was usually way over the top, and melodramatic. Had this aspect of the film alone been better, then it may not have been so agonizing to watch. But, the acting was terrible, and the script they were reading did not help. 


Now, I am not familiar with how the novel reads, so this is no negative blow towards the author, Stephanie Meyer. But, the screenplay had to be one of the most repetitive, and worst written all around, that i have seen in a while. Not only that, but nearly every time the script seemed to repeat itself, so did the entire scene. When the film continues to drag on the same mind-numbing conflict and dialouge between the characters, it simply grows dull and boring.


Now, looking at the positive elements of the film, there were a few interesting and exciting sequences. The special effects were, surprisingly, the saving point for the film. There were a few very exciting scenes with CG wolves that were done quite well. But, it seemed nearly every time there was a great scene like this, they would cut away too quickly, bringing us back to more dull melodramatic dialouge with Bella (our protagonist). Though there was one sequence that stood out above all others for me. It was a chase scene through a forest, and the contrast was deep and haunting mixed with slow but intense music. I was actually quite impressed at the artistic level displayed among the rest of the film, which was OVER DRAMATIC and agonizingly tedious.


All in all, Same movie as the first, different boy/monster. I found myself quiet at times when I was meant to be humored, and i found myself laughing at the poor attempts at drama. When a studio is making a film for the sole  purpose of targeting a key audience in order to gain as much profit as possible, and therefore putting the art of film aside, you end up with a poor film, that makes big bucks. 


(p.s.- I would not want my daughter watching this. The ridiculous amount of despair that is portrayed over something so small, like "breaking up" with a boy, is not healthy for young, and already highly emotional girl to see, and obsess over.)

My Rating: BLAND