Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn- Part 1, directed by Bill Condon, stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz, Nikki Reed, Jackson Rathbone and Anna Kendrick. Grab your bag of blood and get ready to continue the epic saga of Twilight. Haters beware I'm a reviewer, vamp lover and Rob obsessed woman BUT I'll try in the name of Science (sure why not) to give this the most honest and neutral review I can. The fun begins now! ***Caution may contain spoilers***
Plot:
In The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1, Bella and Edward, plus those they love, must deal with the chain of consequences brought on by a marriage, honeymoon, and the tumultuous birth of a child...which brings an unforeseen and shocking development for Jacob Black. The project, based on the fourth novel in author Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series, illuminates the secrets and mysteries of this spellbinding romantic epic that has entranced millions.
It's time to get hitched, vamp style! Alice pulls all the stops getting Bella (Kristen Stewart) ready for her big day. With the feel of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream Bella takes her vows and marries Edward Cullen (Robert "my dream boat" Pattinson) surrounded by close family and friends. Some major changes were made in the dialog from book to movie and some new bits are added both for the good and bad. SPOILER. Bella's mom making comments about a family hair comb heirloom she can pass down to her daughter, and Charlie making comments about Bella's mom being old. SPOILER END. While one's a funny playful bit of banter the other is some definite foreshadowing of things to come. I did like that an added scene of guests making toasts to Bella congratulating her was both funny and endearing. Emmet's was by far the best.
Then it's off to the honeymoon where the two will finally do the "brown chicken brown cow" and get this party started! Beds are breaking and babies are making without anyone knowing what to do and where to go next. Some pretty cheesy CGI happens while the two love birds make out in the ocean, which is a big part of the story. With a budget this big you'd think we'd get a nicer quality of effects but I guess not. Summit likes to make the green.
Bella's feeling backed against the wall and turns to the one person who she thinks will take her side, Rosalie. And while the movie doesn't tell viewers why Bella does this the book goes into great detail about it. Rose of course wants to be the baby momma should anything happen to Bella during the pregnancy. But again folks who've not read the books won't know this. Thus a lack of connection from book to movie.
Jacob's forced to leave the pack or kill his best friend and someone he truly cares deeply for. Not much of an option. While I love watching the actor who plays Seth, he's cute and a perfect fit for the lovable little wolf, I felt he didn't get enough screen time. A lot happens with Seth, his sister and Bella. Seth is a big part of Breaking Dawn pre-baby and him not getting his due was a bit disappointing.
As the baby's coming closer Bella's getting sicker and the one thing Kristen did solidly was portray a very sick and ailing woman who would die for the child inside her. As a mother I get it 100% but the younger crowds probably won't. SPOILER. Just like the birthing scenes which turn into a blood bath, kids have no idea about any of this so in this way the movie tailors more toward the older crowd. END SPOILER. And I hope if for nothing else this series detours the young kids from jumping into an early situation...but back to the review. Now I swear I saw a little boob shot with some nipple action from Kristen but maybe it was a camera trick, it's only a few seconds but Isle Esme sure gets hot! SPOILER. You will also notice that whole time they are on the island Edward only sparkles once. All that Rio sunshine and they only added that one time. Summit's slipping. END SPOILER.
If you're not into the books or the series as a whole then don't waste your time on the film. The movies are for those of us that loved the books and want to see this dramatic story come alive on the big screen. For all its faults there's an amazing story of unconditional love, friendship, caring and reaching beyond yourself to find what strengths you hold. Again, a good message to the YA crowd: wait for the right guy, get married THEN have a baby. That's the clear message here dolled up in a sparkly bow and fed to us through blood, fur and chiseled abs.
If you enjoyed the books and could care less about sparkles and growls then you'll enjoy the latest edition to the franchise. Stay in your seat till the end after the credits roll you can check out a few extra minutes of footage. PS the movie ends right where it should, anything less would have done an injustice to the saga.
Getting 3 and 1/2 feather Sheep
KD
