The Twilight Saga: New Moon – Film Review

28Nov09

The Twilight Saga: New Moon is a 2009 romance fantasy film directed by Chris Weitz, based on the best selling novel by Stephenie Meyer. Following the global success of the first film, New Moon see’s heroine Bella Swan fall into a great depression when her vampire boyfriend, the smoldering, sexy Edward Cullen leaves her after he realises that he and his family are too much a danger to her. Depressed and alone, Bella finds solace in family friend, Jacob Black and a friendship forms, but it turns out that its not only Edward who has a secret…

If you’re a Twilighter, Twi-hard fan, or whatever you call yourself; or simply someone who was impressed by the first installment in Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga, the second installment will fulfill, and probably exceed your expectations. However, if you’re not, you’ll probably find yourself laughing and frowning at this second helping.

Chris Weitz takes over from Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke to direct this vampire sequel, and despite  a few flaws, successfully delivers the second chapter of this phenomenon with cool – though sometimes goofy – special effects and a range of camera shots and editing (like when the camera circles Bella as time is passing by during the start of her depression). Despite this, its evident Weitz isn’t as aware of the likes of teenage girls, unlike Hardwicke, you made Twilight sexier than it needed to be, making New Moon a rather sexually tame installment in the franchise. This being said, there are a lot of scenes with Taylor Lautner shirtless which will please 80% of the target audience, although more mature audiences will find it unnecessary.

The acting has improved greatly, especially from Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. Unlike Twilight, Kristen Stewart isn’t so wooden and convincingly plays a moping teenager experiencing their first break up. Robert Pattinson is much better this time around, not being so serious and playing Edward more accurately, although the man-pouts and (trying to be) sexy poses are still visible in every scene. He also looks like he wants to laugh or cry at some points, which was a bit off-putting. Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black is excellent, and his and Kristen’s chemistry is electric and very fun to watch, as apposed to hers and Rob’s, which is non existent – which is a problem as they’re meant to be passionately in love with and would die for one another – making people convert to Team Jacob. Saying that, a lot of teenage girls will convert just because of Jacob’s abs, which are constantly on display.

Alexandre Desplat takes over from Carter Burwell, providing a decent, but sometimes Tom and Jerry sounding score. Although lacking the edginess of Burwell’s score, Desplat’s elegant piano pieces amplify the lovefest theme of the series – especially The Meadow - which is more appropriate to the tone of the film. The sountrack itself is also better this time, with Death Cab for Cutie providing the upbeat tune “Meet me on the Equinox”,  and with Lykke Li and the Editors providing more melancholy tracks: “Possibility” and “No Sound But the Wind”. Thom Yorke‘s “Hearing Damage” makes a good use of electronics and fits surprisingly well in a tense chase scene between Victoria and the Wolfpack.

Overall, The Twilight Saga: New Moon will satisfy its hardcore fans and anyone who doesn’t take it seriously as it has more action, special effects and Taylor Lautner & Robert Pattinson shirtless; as well as staying faithful to the book. But for those who find these things cheesy will probably spend the whole time with their head in their hands, chanting “Why, why why?”  to themselves constantly.

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