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Review: The Twilight Saga: New Moon

It's always "New Moon" day.

Nov

2009

Director: Chris Weitz (The Golden Compass, About a Boy, American Pie)
Screenplay: Melissa Rosenberg, Stephenie Meyer (novel)
Producer: Wyck Godfrey
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Kellan Lutz, Nikki Reed, Jackson Rathbone, Edi Gathegi, Rachelle Lafevre, Billy Burke, Charlie Bewley, Jamie Campbell Bower, Daniel Cudmore, Christopher Heyerdahl, Dakota Fanning, Cameron Bright, Noot Seer, Michael Sheen, Graham Greene, Tinsel Korey
MPAA Rating: PG13
Running time: 130 min.

(3.5/5)

For months the anticipation has been building. After the success of Twilight (our review), it’s not too much of a surprise. The first film in the saga captured fans and non-fans alike and in a whirlwind year, everyone seems to have caught “Twilight Fever” in one way or another. Fans love to share their love and haters their hate but nothing will take down the building monsoon. From the beginning, The Twilight Saga: New Moon was fighting an uphill battle. The change of directors caused a wave of panic and anger amongst fans. There’s also the little fact that Edward, one of (if not the) franchise’s biggest draw, is missing from most of the source material. It couldn’t have been an easy decision for director Chris Weitz to come on board with so many obstacles laid out before him but the burning question is: did he succeed? Does the film live up to expectation? In a single word no, but not for lack of trying.

NewMoonMovieStill New Moon picks up where Twilight left off. Bella and Edward are together and happy but it doesn’t last long. The story starts, in essence, on Bella’s birthday and while at the Cullen’s celebrating the event (an event Bella is not at all happy about), she cuts her finger, causing Jasper, one of Edward’s brothers, to come flying across the room in a blood frenzy. Edward, upset that he can’t keep Bella safe even from his family, leaves Forks throwing the young woman into a catatonic state from which she eventually breaks only out of pity for what it’s doing to her father. She finds solace in her friendship with Jacob and the two form a bond that borders on romance but never quite crosses the line. But all is not well as well as it seems on the surface for Victoria, one of the rogue vampires from the first film, is on the hunt for Bella. The closeness of threat has stirred a long dormant gene in some of the boys in Jacob’s tribe, including himself, turning them into wolves in order to protect their people. A number of events snowball into a final climax which has Bella traveling to Italy to save Edward from death at the hands of the Volturi, a coven which guards the laws that keep vampires secret from humans.

It’s a lot to take in but writer Melissa Rosenberg does her best to cut down and edit the 500+ page story into a manageable size while staying true to the source material sadly, it’s the close adherence to the source material that is to blame for some of the film’s eye rolling moments, particularly the intimate ones which feel bombastic rather than tender. The blame doesn’t lay solely on her as Weitz overplays the romance (what little of it there is) between Bella and Edward to the point where it feels inauthentic. But New Moon has never been Edward’s story. The novel and film center primarily on the relationship between Bella and Jacob and in that respect, the film is a great success.

NewMoonMovieStill2 Taylor Lautner wasn’t given a whole heck of a lot to do in Twilight but the young actor outshines nearly everyone else in New Moon, including his co-star Kristen Stewart. He’s a revelation; his scenes are wonderfully nuanced and even with Stewart, who often comes across as a deer in headlights (a problem that didn’t seem as apparent or glaring in the first film), he manages to salvage every scene. The chemistry and spark that was so ripe in Twilight between Pattinson and Stewart seems to have evaporated and for the most part, the two seem awkward together (Pattinson in particular who often seems uncomfortable in his own skin). As for the rest, their roles are so small they’re nearly not there but it’s worth mentioning that Billy Burke once again knocks in out of the ballpark with his portrayal of Bella’s father while Michael Sheen is outstanding as Aro, the leader of the Volturi. He’s as flamboyant as the character was described and though it first feels odd to have a character so gloriously happy in a film which is mostly shrouded in pain and sorrow, he brings Aro to life and creates an unforgettable character.

Weitz did away with Hardwicke’s clean and muted palette for a more traditional, romantic one. Low lighting and warm tones permeate through the film, accompanied by a much more subdued score from legendary composer Alexandre Desplat. There are also mild changes to the character designs most of which work to the film’s advantage. Weitz’s experience with effects is put to good use and for the most part, the vampire and wolf effects are good, though not spectacular. Sadly, they aren’t all improvements and some of the problems from the first film persist: the make-up is still laughable as is the apparently “improved” diamond skin effect which is still laughable (though admittedly less glaring).

Yet, as with Twilight there is still much enjoyment to be had. Non fans may not find much to like about New Moon aside from Lautner’s excellent performance and the film’s beautiful design, but there is more than enough fodder for those of us who are fans to dig into. New Moon stumbles in a few places but overall, it improves on first film and raises the bar for the third installment. It’s up to David Slade to elevate the franchise into awesomeness. I have no doubt he’s up to challenge; we’ll find out if he succeeds in seven months time.

Click “play” to see the trailer:

Links:
IMDb profile
Official Site
Flixster Profile for The Twilight Saga: New Moon

40 response about Review: The Twilight Saga: New Moon »

I agree with most of what you said and your review is more or less what I expected from most critics. Somewhere right in the middle. I’m quite fond of the series myself, but even I can see that by being faithful to the source material, Weitz and his crew hamstring themselves. Especially with the dialog.

Where I disagree is with Kristin Stewart’s performance. I think Hardwicke’s directorial “choices” showcased all of her ticks and it distracted from the rest of her talents. In New Moon, Stewart is completely believable as an emotionally bereft young woman struggling to find her way and hold on to what(and who) she loves. It’s truly heartbreaking.

Taylor Lautner’s performance as Jacob was a real surprise. It was as if he played two different characters in before/after transformation Jacob.

Not a perfect movie by a long shot, but enjoyable. The fans should be pleased. I thought it was an improvement on the first movie.

That said, why is this movie getting so trashed by the critics? I mean really trashed. I love reading reviews, it’s like an education, but these are all over the map; I am hard pressed to find a common argument.

Comment by Wray — November 20, 2009
Hilarious: http://www.filmfreakcentral.net/screenreviews/newmoon.htm

Comment by Kurt — November 20, 2009
That was a great read. I still like Devin’s review better.

http://www.chud.com/articles/articles/21614/1/REVIEW-NEW-MOON/Page1.html

Comment by Marina Antunes — November 20, 2009
I don’t know about Jacob vs Edward but I’m definitely Devin > Chaw. Team Devin! Just please no pictures with his shirt off.

Comment by Rusty James — November 20, 2009
I totally agree that adhering to the source material is one of the things that makes the film not work as well as it could (and should) have. In Twilight they cut out stuff from the book and added new elements and both worked. This time the kept it close to home which made for too much content and barely anything new to enjoy.

I think Taylor Lautner was great, when he was great but had a lot of times where he was just ok, and I thought Kristen Stewart was amazing. The score totally didn’t work for me.. at all. But loved loved loved Billy Burke and Michael Sheen.

We are going to have so much to talk about…

Comment by Shannon the Movie Moxie — November 20, 2009
things not always work as we think . i thought Kristen will depict her character more than in Twilight movie. but breaking my hopes Kristen did not depict her character very well. but over all movie was perfect. i love that movie
source.

Comment by brad — November 21, 2009
This made 73 million yesterday. Jesus christ. I thought people being underwhelmed with the first would have taken a bit of a hit out of this one, but I guess teen girls really don’t give a shit.

Comment by Goon — November 21, 2009
It’s funny, the biggest entertainment phenoms of the years are both singeled out for their gratuitous socially regressive ideas.

I guess since it’s “traditional” (and therefore nonthreatening) social regresivism will always be bigger business than progressivism. Still, it would be great if JJ Abrams could find a way to fit Gene Rodenberry’s trademark liberal humanism into his huge summer blockbuster franchise.

Comment by Rusty James — November 21, 2009
maybe I’d forgive Twilight for being ’socially regressive’ if it managed to get the basics of moviemaking done right.

Comment by Goon — November 21, 2009
I love Twilight and all the teen girls who like it. I think it’s cool if it teaches them horrible things – being taught the right things suck ass – and the fact that somebody like Goon of all people, have taken it on himself to actually care about it and attack it, makes me like it so much more. What is the big deal? He’s hot. Girls go nuts. Get over it.

Comment by Henrik — November 21, 2009
Contrarianism for contrarianism’s sake is so lame.

Regardless, this is a pretty lame prank:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=100808735

Comment by Goon — November 21, 2009
You are right. But for somebody who doesn’t care to see the two sites he frequents for movie news being pretty up in arms with Twilight, makes me feel like I have to have an opinion either way, and I am choosing to make fun of the people who care.

Comment by Henrik — November 21, 2009
Meh. I dont care about the teenagers who are into Twilight, they dont know any better. Within the decade they’ll sell off their DVDs along with their Jonas Brothers CDs and “Juicy” pants. I think the adult fans are pretty funny though, and are uniquely hilarious from most other bad movie franchise fans.

The first movie itself is just plain shit by any standard.

Comment by Goon — November 21, 2009
“and are uniquely hilarious from most other bad movie franchise fans.”

In what way?

Comment by Marina Antunes — November 22, 2009
That prank took balls to put on.

Comment by Andrew James — November 22, 2009
[...] 2:02 – “New Moon” discussion – Shannon’s Review – Marina’s Review [...]

Pingback by Before the Dawn: A Twilight Podcast » Blog Archive » Episode 28: New Moon” Review — November 22, 2009
Well I could name a number Marina, but here’s an example. Robert Pattinson keeps saying in interviews that he’s afraid of AIDS because fans keep approached them with self inflicted wounds asking for him to suck on them.

And I’ll defer to what I mentioned before, when other film franchises like Indy 4 or Spidey 3 fail to satisfy their fans, they call for their heads and do stupid boycotts, etc. Even though Twilight fans are evidently much more than willing to make fun of the movie and talk about how it doesnt live up to the book, when an outsider to the books do it they go nuts, and they will still gladly vote it best movie at any Peoples Choice type award.

Other fanboys attempt to kill movie franchises that go sour, or at least hope their over the top rage with force the makers to correct the ship. Twilight fans have apparently rewarded a shitty first film with the permission to make an even shittier one. Why would the studios strive for better when the fans don’t ask for better?

THAT is hilarious. and sad.

Comment by Goon — November 22, 2009
Any point that Goon just made applies to Transformers fans as well. Even though I think the 2nd one was the better film.

Comment by Henrik — November 22, 2009
And I believe there’s another Indiana Jones movie coming as well. Not to mention all of the Star Wars stuff that keeps emerging.

Saw 7?

Comment by Andrew James — November 22, 2009
I will agree with that Henrik, the fans of TF one were fine with so much of its weaknesses that it allowed Bay to repeat them in TF2.. the difference though is that TF2 illicited the rage that should have happened with TF1, so now maybe there will be pressure to make TF3 better. Maybe thats naive to expect from Bay though, he may just look at the box office receipts and not give a shit.

Comment by Goon — November 22, 2009
Any lady want to enlighten me to why teen girls SCREAM and faint when it comes to teen idols, twilight, the jonas brothers?

sure, guys will pop for wrestlers, sports teams, lots of things, but as much as i could target them, i usually see them popping when they actually DO something or on specific cues rather than a constant wall of noise.

Comment by Goon — November 22, 2009
Different genders go nuts in different ways. You should ask a anthropologist.

Comment by Henrik — November 22, 2009
we’re all armchair anthropologists here

i still think its weird though after your years of calling pixar childrens entertainment, you’re willing to stand up for teen girls’ vapid sex fantasies

Comment by Goon — November 22, 2009
If grown men were talking about how Twilight was the great story of our generation, and how it speaks to adults just as much as teen girls, I would not be happy.

Comment by Henrik — November 22, 2009
I dont see Pixar films as the great stories of our generation, I just think they’re fully realized within their medium and indeed have evident adult themes that elevate them over other similar fare.

I get the feeling you think the success of Twilight keeps me up at night, when really its a matter of me having a complete and utter lack of respect for it, and its all a matter of the FILM’S quality not being there.

I have not attacked the books beyond what I could grasp of the story through the film. For all I know they’re fantastic.

Comment by Goon — November 22, 2009
lets make predictions

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1259571/

lets pretend that everyone who saw Twilight loved it. I’m also going to ask to ignore the score here because lots of people who havent seen it have assuredly voted 1 as an act of defiance.

The actual reviews though show that lots and lots of fans are let down with this film. Now, keeping this in mind, when the next film comes out next summer, I’d be willing to bet we’re still going to see a similarly massive opening weekend box office, and that these same people who have trashed this film will see it opening weekend with anticipation.

Comment by Goon — November 22, 2009
Jumpin’ Jahova! Did Twilight make $140,000,000 on the weekend? That is beyond insane. Open the floodgates for popcorn romance blockbusters for girls. WOW!

Comment by Kurt — November 22, 2009
“its all a matter of the FILM’S quality not being there.”

OF COURSE it’s not there. I know you hold blockbusters in high regard (as well as Pixar), but jesus, get out a little.

Comment by Henrik — November 22, 2009
get out? i’m not the one using valuable time playing white knight for something i probably dont even like.

you’ll be happy to know though on the FJ podcast we just recorded we didnt talk about Twilight for more than 25 seconds.

Comment by Goon — November 22, 2009
did you guys get to my junk mail?

Comment by Rusty James — November 22, 2009
yes. my answer was probably retarded

Comment by Goon — November 23, 2009
nice. I can’t wait to hear. I should’ve avoided spoilers, it would’ve been a nice surprise.

Comment by Rusty James — November 23, 2009
I wanted Twilight rage!

Comment by Henrik — November 23, 2009
from the point of view of someone who really enjoyed the books, i thought New Moon (the movie adaptation) was entertaining, true to the story too

Comment by Dean Sanderson — November 23, 2009
And it made $10mil here in Canada, highest crossing weekend of the year beating out Transformers 2 (which was $8mil).

Comment by Shannon the Movie Moxie — November 23, 2009
the movie was great .. best parts being when Jacob changed much and transformed into a giant wolf , when Bella finally met Edward that night , and on top of all , the scene at the end when they all gathered in the hall with volturi people.. the fight was breath taking and it ended surprisingly safely..

i think Pattinson was not comfortable or wasn’t really into his role.. at times during the movie i felt like he was preventing himself from a big laugh !!.. this is true for both : Twilight and New Moon.

the make up goes with the vampire thing.. Bella wasn’t one , however , her strikingly pale face makes u feel that she will definetly transform at any minute !! exciting , isn’t it??

the movie encouraged me to read both stories .. and i am looking forward to Part 3..

Comment by Sarah — November 28, 2009
Box office was 45 mil compared to 142 last week, quite a drop, but not exactly unexpected.

what i’m more impressed with is how the hell the Blind Side made over 40 mil this week, and is now at around 100 million at the box office. its a big hit that hasn’t really been recognized, and i don’t get the appeal.

Comment by Goon — November 29, 2009
I’m pretty amazed with The Blind Side myself! Maybe with that and Precious, there will be another black-celebration oscars? It must be the Obama effect!

Comment by Henrik — November 29, 2009
If the Blind Side and Precious are nominated, it has nothing to do with race, but that the Academy can love treacly melodrama without irony since Titanic.

Comment by Kurt Halfyard — November 29, 2009
also (and this probably may include the Road) it’s probably more Oprah effect than Obama effect

Comment by Goon — November 29, 2009

Review: The Twilight Saga: New Moon

40 response about Review: The Twilight Saga: New Moon »

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