Wednesday, June 30, 2010
E! Online: Five Things You Gotta Know About “Eclipse’s” Record-Setting Opening
Did you hear how epic the midnight box office was? Do you understand how huge the release is? Do you know how bad—or not—the reviews are?
You’re about to. Here’s what you need to know about Eclipse’s history-making debut:
$30 Freakin’ Million: That’s how much Summit is guestimating Eclipse grossed from midnight Wednesday screenings. And, frankly, the guess is that it grossed more than $30 million. From one night. From one teeny, tiny, super-charged portion of a night.
The take is easily a new midnight record, topping the “old” record of $26.3 million, which was set seven months ago by New Moon.
More than $1 million of Eclipse’s midnight take came from IMAX screenings, which is yet another record, at least as far as IMAX is concerned.
4,416: That’s how many theaters Eclipse was playing at as of midnight today. The number makes the third Twilight the widest-release ever, outgunning Iron Man 2. And the film isn’t stopping there. It may add even more screens Friday. Which may come as relief, if not justice, to some angry, blacked-out fans in Chicago.
Team Jacob Killed Team Edward: At least that’s the way it was at our midnight screening. For the record, though, the sight of Edward and Bella engaged in some PG-13 petting did elicit the single biggest group howl of the screening. But in terms of sheer number of screams? That’s where the Jacob crowd swamped the competition.
The Reviews Weren’t Half-Bad: At least not at Metacritic, where Eclipse scored the franchise’s highest-yet critical rating: 58 percent. At Rotten Tomatoes, the reviews were half-bad, meaning they were half-good, too, with the film coming in this morning at 50 percent on the Tomatometer, a substantial upgrade from New Moon’s drubbing.
The New York Times Liked It—It Really Liked It. Mostly: We know newspapers are dying and all, and critic A.O. Scott isn’t entirely convinced of Lautner’s thespian abilities, but, c’mon, the actual New York Times called Eclipse a “more robustly entertaining film than either of its predecessors.” Faint praise? Or critical praise to make Twi-hards faint?
You’re about to. Here’s what you need to know about Eclipse’s history-making debut:
$30 Freakin’ Million: That’s how much Summit is guestimating Eclipse grossed from midnight Wednesday screenings. And, frankly, the guess is that it grossed more than $30 million. From one night. From one teeny, tiny, super-charged portion of a night.
The take is easily a new midnight record, topping the “old” record of $26.3 million, which was set seven months ago by New Moon.
More than $1 million of Eclipse’s midnight take came from IMAX screenings, which is yet another record, at least as far as IMAX is concerned.
4,416: That’s how many theaters Eclipse was playing at as of midnight today. The number makes the third Twilight the widest-release ever, outgunning Iron Man 2. And the film isn’t stopping there. It may add even more screens Friday. Which may come as relief, if not justice, to some angry, blacked-out fans in Chicago.
Team Jacob Killed Team Edward: At least that’s the way it was at our midnight screening. For the record, though, the sight of Edward and Bella engaged in some PG-13 petting did elicit the single biggest group howl of the screening. But in terms of sheer number of screams? That’s where the Jacob crowd swamped the competition.
The Reviews Weren’t Half-Bad: At least not at Metacritic, where Eclipse scored the franchise’s highest-yet critical rating: 58 percent. At Rotten Tomatoes, the reviews were half-bad, meaning they were half-good, too, with the film coming in this morning at 50 percent on the Tomatometer, a substantial upgrade from New Moon’s drubbing.
The New York Times Liked It—It Really Liked It. Mostly: We know newspapers are dying and all, and critic A.O. Scott isn’t entirely convinced of Lautner’s thespian abilities, but, c’mon, the actual New York Times called Eclipse a “more robustly entertaining film than either of its predecessors.” Faint praise? Or critical praise to make Twi-hards faint?
ABC News – “Eclipse” Rakes in $30 Million During Midnight Showings!
Vampire romance has become hotter — if you can believe the story.That seems to be the consensus by U.S. critics for the third episode of teen vampire saga “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,” which debuted on Wednesday to a record-breaking $30 million box office in screenings just after midnight.
North American ticket sales beat predecessor “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” with $26.3 million and are the most for any movie’s midnight screenings, according to tracker Hollywood.com Box Office.
Critics said the movie boosted its romantic storyline, but the overall film was not entirely satisfying due to poor acting and execution, according to a consensus of reviews posted Wednesday.
The middle installment of the film franchise — Stephenie Meyer’s four books are being spread out over five films for maximum profit — was released in U.S. cinemas this week and again features a love triangle between Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner.)
The third film is “more of the same” from the first two movie, said USA Today, noting the physical attributes of the three co-stars are featured heavily in the film franchise that is wildly popular with the coveted teen market.
“This is definitely the most romantic of the films, although some of these scenes are set in flower-filled meadows that bring to mind feminine-hygiene commercials,” the newspaper said.
The New York Times said “Eclipse” was “a more robustly entertaining film than either of its predecessors” with added humor, more violence, “and, true to the film’s title, a deeper intimation of darkness.”
But it said with the exception of Stewart, “what there isn’t, as usual, is much in the way of good acting.”
Overall, the film has scored a 50 percent rating among reviews aggregated by website rottentomatoes.com with 53 critics saying positive things and 53 negative
North American ticket sales beat predecessor “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” with $26.3 million and are the most for any movie’s midnight screenings, according to tracker Hollywood.com Box Office.
Critics said the movie boosted its romantic storyline, but the overall film was not entirely satisfying due to poor acting and execution, according to a consensus of reviews posted Wednesday.
The middle installment of the film franchise — Stephenie Meyer’s four books are being spread out over five films for maximum profit — was released in U.S. cinemas this week and again features a love triangle between Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner.)
The third film is “more of the same” from the first two movie, said USA Today, noting the physical attributes of the three co-stars are featured heavily in the film franchise that is wildly popular with the coveted teen market.
“This is definitely the most romantic of the films, although some of these scenes are set in flower-filled meadows that bring to mind feminine-hygiene commercials,” the newspaper said.
The New York Times said “Eclipse” was “a more robustly entertaining film than either of its predecessors” with added humor, more violence, “and, true to the film’s title, a deeper intimation of darkness.”
But it said with the exception of Stewart, “what there isn’t, as usual, is much in the way of good acting.”
Overall, the film has scored a 50 percent rating among reviews aggregated by website rottentomatoes.com with 53 critics saying positive things and 53 negative
Highlights From Twilight Night With The Eclipse Cast & Director!
Twilight Night hosted by Summit Entertainment Moviefone interviewed Jackson Rathbone (Jasper Hale), Eclipse director David Slade, Peter Facinelli (Dr. Carlisle Cullen), Christian Serratos (Angela Weber) and Bronson Pellitier (Jared) at Twilight Night in San Diego, CA and Philadelphia, PA on Saturday, June 26th.
Twilight Night was hosted by Summit Entertainment in celebration of the lunar eclipse on June 26th! Fans enjoyed screenings of Twilight and New Moon.
Box Office Mojo: Eclipse, 30 Million Record Setting Midnight Tally
According to BoxOffice Mojo:
“The Twilight Saga: Eclipse ripped into the record books with its midnight launch, grossing over $30 million at more than 4,000 theaters. That surpassed The Twilight Saga: New Moon‘s previous benchmark of $26.3 million. Included in Eclipse‘s sum was a new IMAX midnight milestone of over $1 million at 192 venues, topping Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen‘s $959,000.
The vampre(sic) romance sequel had already cast the widest opening net ever, biting into a whopping 4,416 locations (more theaters are expected to be added on Friday). Iron Man 2 previously held that title with 4,380 locations, while Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince holds the record for highest location count ever at 4,455. Eclipse‘s count includes 193 IMAX venues, which is just shy of Shrek Forever After‘s 194 record.”
See more on Box Office Mojo
The thing to keep in mind is that this figure only counts sales in the USA made through 3:00am this morning. It does not count the sales that are picked up during the day today through 11:59pm this evening. Once those figures come in tomorrow afternoon to reflect the first day’s complete total that number should be $150,000,000. This will solidly put Eclipse opening in the top ten movies of the year.
The big question is going to be if Eclipse can get to the 300,000,000 million mark. New Moon was just shy at circa 296,000,000. No matter what it is going to continues to smash records for what is a predominately female driven enterprise.
“The Twilight Saga: Eclipse ripped into the record books with its midnight launch, grossing over $30 million at more than 4,000 theaters. That surpassed The Twilight Saga: New Moon‘s previous benchmark of $26.3 million. Included in Eclipse‘s sum was a new IMAX midnight milestone of over $1 million at 192 venues, topping Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen‘s $959,000.
The vampre(sic) romance sequel had already cast the widest opening net ever, biting into a whopping 4,416 locations (more theaters are expected to be added on Friday). Iron Man 2 previously held that title with 4,380 locations, while Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince holds the record for highest location count ever at 4,455. Eclipse‘s count includes 193 IMAX venues, which is just shy of Shrek Forever After‘s 194 record.”
See more on Box Office Mojo
The thing to keep in mind is that this figure only counts sales in the USA made through 3:00am this morning. It does not count the sales that are picked up during the day today through 11:59pm this evening. Once those figures come in tomorrow afternoon to reflect the first day’s complete total that number should be $150,000,000. This will solidly put Eclipse opening in the top ten movies of the year.
The big question is going to be if Eclipse can get to the 300,000,000 million mark. New Moon was just shy at circa 296,000,000. No matter what it is going to continues to smash records for what is a predominately female driven enterprise.
The Summer House iTunes Trailer – Available on July 13th
Robert Pattinson (The Twilight Saga) and Tallulah Riley (The Boat That Rocked) star in The Summer House. Set in rural France in the late sixties, a young girl reaches a turning point in her life as mankind celebrates the Apollo 11 moon landing.
Available on iTunes July 13th (US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Germany).
Available on iTunes July 13th (US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Germany).
The Summer House - iTunes Trailer from ShortsTV on Vimeo.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Breaking Dawn to Include “Sex” and “More Skin” Says Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg
People Magazine interviewed Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg during the premiere of Eclipse last Thursday and she said that she won’t be shying away from the adult elements in the book while writing the scripts for the two Breaking Dawn films–
“You will see sex – Yes!” Breaking Dawn and Twilight screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg told PEOPLE at the Eclipse premiere in L.A. Thursday night. “The relationship [between Pattinson's Edward and Stewart's Bella] does go all the way in the book, so in the movie, it will as well. You are going to see more skin in Breaking Dawn than you did in the other films.”
“Will it be pornographic? – That, I do not know,” Rosenberg said with a laugh. “I don’t know if it has to be R-rated, but it has to be what the book is, which means more skin. … I will definitely be writing more skin.”
The question still remains just how adult the two Breaking Dawn films will be given that they seem pretty much guaranteed a PG-13 rating, but it’s good to hear that screenwriter Rosenberg is aiming to make them as true to the books as possible.
“You will see sex – Yes!” Breaking Dawn and Twilight screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg told PEOPLE at the Eclipse premiere in L.A. Thursday night. “The relationship [between Pattinson's Edward and Stewart's Bella] does go all the way in the book, so in the movie, it will as well. You are going to see more skin in Breaking Dawn than you did in the other films.”
“Will it be pornographic? – That, I do not know,” Rosenberg said with a laugh. “I don’t know if it has to be R-rated, but it has to be what the book is, which means more skin. … I will definitely be writing more skin.”
The question still remains just how adult the two Breaking Dawn films will be given that they seem pretty much guaranteed a PG-13 rating, but it’s good to hear that screenwriter Rosenberg is aiming to make them as true to the books as possible.
Eclipse Movie Discussion
OK, it’s Midnight Eclipse has Arrived!!!!!
Alright, you have seen the movie now what do you think?
What did they do right?
What did they do wrong?
Hate it?
Love it?
Better than Twilight?
Better than New Moon?
Your favorite scene?
In the comments below let everyone know what you thought.
WARNING DO NOT READ THE COMMENTS IF YOU HAVEN”T SEEN THE MOVIE BECAUSE I’M SURE IT WILL BE FULL OF SPOILERS!!!
I am going around 3 pm today to watch it then I’ll add my review to this post. So Excited!!!
Make sure you vote in the new poll too.
via {TwilightGuide}
First Contributing Writer 'Eclipse' Review
Time is now 2.15 am and I just got back from the cinema after 'The Twilight Movie Night' and 'Eclipse' here in Gothenburg, Sweden.
(Please consider that these are all my own thoughts about it, don´t get all worked up if you don´t think the way I do and please share your own thoughts about it in the comments below if you feel that way).
I do not find words on how good 'Eclipse' was, it is so undescribable.
David Slade really captured everything that 'The Twilight Saga' is all about. He really put his own mark on it and he has really done a great job with it, but all credit to Melissa Rosenberg because this is absolutely the best she´s ever written to 'The Twilight Saga' and of course these are all my own thoughts and opinions, you might have differents thoughts about it ;)
Kristen, Robert and Taylor and of course the rest of the cast have done an incredible job they too and according to me this was the best movie they´ve ever done. They were amzing...all of them.
As well as David Slade captured the story of 'The Twilight Saga' the cast captured their characters and it really showed that they put their soul into it and did their best to make them as real as possible.
I laughed, cried, giggled and I drooled, so many emotions flowed trough my body during the movie and it really was a good mixture of everything. I also think that even the guys might like 'Eclipse', it´s not just for girls ;) The humor in 'New Moon' was stepped up a whole other notch since 'Twilight' but 'Eclipse' took it once again to a whole other level and I really enjoyed it in a different way than I did with 'Twilight' and 'New Moon'.
The only bad things (not that anything was bad with it) was that in the beginning it felt like we just jumped from one event to another without any real connection and it all went really fast. So after half of the movie I believe that we´ve gone trough almost 80% of the book. They missed out on some pieces of the book that I felt were really important to make it into the movie, but you can´t get it all can you?
The best scenes and funniest scenes of the entire movie was of course the Charlie and Bella sextalk. It was so funny, it felt that I was going to blow up with laughter and I sure wasn´t the only one that felt that way. The whole cinema was full of laughter and giggles.
The second best scene was the one when Jacob kissed Bella and she hit him in the face. It was also one of the scenes that filled the whole cinema with laughter.
The proposal scene can´t be described in words so that one you have to see and experience for yourself and of course there were tons of great scenes and the whole movie was so amazing, but these were the scenes that I thought were worth to be mentioned in my review.
I really hope that all of you enjoy 'Eclipse' as much as I did and I would love to hear all of your experiences and thought about it so please feel free to share. I wish you the best Eclipse experience, because I sure did have an amazing one :D
PS. I will put some photos of my 'Eclipse' experience in this post as soon as I get home, because I can´t transfer my photos from my camera to my computer from the hotelroom. I forgot my camera-cable at home "/
(Please consider that these are all my own thoughts about it, don´t get all worked up if you don´t think the way I do and please share your own thoughts about it in the comments below if you feel that way).
I do not find words on how good 'Eclipse' was, it is so undescribable.
David Slade really captured everything that 'The Twilight Saga' is all about. He really put his own mark on it and he has really done a great job with it, but all credit to Melissa Rosenberg because this is absolutely the best she´s ever written to 'The Twilight Saga' and of course these are all my own thoughts and opinions, you might have differents thoughts about it ;)
Kristen, Robert and Taylor and of course the rest of the cast have done an incredible job they too and according to me this was the best movie they´ve ever done. They were amzing...all of them.
As well as David Slade captured the story of 'The Twilight Saga' the cast captured their characters and it really showed that they put their soul into it and did their best to make them as real as possible.
I laughed, cried, giggled and I drooled, so many emotions flowed trough my body during the movie and it really was a good mixture of everything. I also think that even the guys might like 'Eclipse', it´s not just for girls ;) The humor in 'New Moon' was stepped up a whole other notch since 'Twilight' but 'Eclipse' took it once again to a whole other level and I really enjoyed it in a different way than I did with 'Twilight' and 'New Moon'.
The only bad things (not that anything was bad with it) was that in the beginning it felt like we just jumped from one event to another without any real connection and it all went really fast. So after half of the movie I believe that we´ve gone trough almost 80% of the book. They missed out on some pieces of the book that I felt were really important to make it into the movie, but you can´t get it all can you?
The best scenes and funniest scenes of the entire movie was of course the Charlie and Bella sextalk. It was so funny, it felt that I was going to blow up with laughter and I sure wasn´t the only one that felt that way. The whole cinema was full of laughter and giggles.
The second best scene was the one when Jacob kissed Bella and she hit him in the face. It was also one of the scenes that filled the whole cinema with laughter.
The proposal scene can´t be described in words so that one you have to see and experience for yourself and of course there were tons of great scenes and the whole movie was so amazing, but these were the scenes that I thought were worth to be mentioned in my review.
I really hope that all of you enjoy 'Eclipse' as much as I did and I would love to hear all of your experiences and thought about it so please feel free to share. I wish you the best Eclipse experience, because I sure did have an amazing one :D
PS. I will put some photos of my 'Eclipse' experience in this post as soon as I get home, because I can´t transfer my photos from my camera to my computer from the hotelroom. I forgot my camera-cable at home "/
Can Eclipse Be the Biggest Thing Ever?
Will Eclipse, opening midnight Wednesday, eclipse everything to become the biggest thing ever, ever, ever in the box-office world?
Let’s look at the top records up for grabs—and take some wild guesses:
God of Midnight: It’s in Eclipse‘s DNA to take this title. New Moon scored the midnight record last November with a phenomenal $26.3 million night-owl debut. Eclipse is showing every sign—year-best advance-ticket sales, added 3 a.m. screenings—of living up to its elder Twilight sibling.
Speediest Speed Demon: New Moon owns the records for biggest opening and single-day grosses, with one impossibly huge $72.7 million bow. Sorry, did we say impossible? Box Office Guru editor Gitesh Pandya told us he thinks Eclipse has a shot. “The franchise is as strong as ever,” Pandya said, “and the summer release will allow for better repeat business.”
Loudest Fourth of July Firecracker: Sorry, Spider-Man 2, your three-day, $88.2 million Independence Day weekend record, is a good bet to get beat. BoxOffice.com editor Phil Contrino is calling for a $95 million Friday-Sunday. “This is a movie that is going to be extremely front-loaded,” Contrino said.
Best. Opening. Weekend. Ever.: The Dark Knight‘s $158.4 million haul has withstood almost two summers of competition now. And it’ll probably withstand Eclipse‘s challenge, too. “If a Twilight movie was opening on a Friday during a summer, I’ve always been of the opinion it would give Dark Knight a run for its money,” Contrino said, “but it’s going to be too spread out for that to happen [for Eclipse].”
All-time No. 1 Movie Ever, Ever, Ever—Domestic Division: Uh, no, to answer our initial question, Avatar‘s days are not numbered. “Eclipse will be huge for sure,” Pandya said, “but I don’t see it becoming the biggest hit of all-time.” (Avatar has grossed $750 million here—and still counting.) Both Pandya and Contrino think Eclipse could top $300 million domestically, which would make it the biggest Twilight movie to date.
No slouch of a record at that.
Let’s look at the top records up for grabs—and take some wild guesses:
God of Midnight: It’s in Eclipse‘s DNA to take this title. New Moon scored the midnight record last November with a phenomenal $26.3 million night-owl debut. Eclipse is showing every sign—year-best advance-ticket sales, added 3 a.m. screenings—of living up to its elder Twilight sibling.
Speediest Speed Demon: New Moon owns the records for biggest opening and single-day grosses, with one impossibly huge $72.7 million bow. Sorry, did we say impossible? Box Office Guru editor Gitesh Pandya told us he thinks Eclipse has a shot. “The franchise is as strong as ever,” Pandya said, “and the summer release will allow for better repeat business.”
Loudest Fourth of July Firecracker: Sorry, Spider-Man 2, your three-day, $88.2 million Independence Day weekend record, is a good bet to get beat. BoxOffice.com editor Phil Contrino is calling for a $95 million Friday-Sunday. “This is a movie that is going to be extremely front-loaded,” Contrino said.
Best. Opening. Weekend. Ever.: The Dark Knight‘s $158.4 million haul has withstood almost two summers of competition now. And it’ll probably withstand Eclipse‘s challenge, too. “If a Twilight movie was opening on a Friday during a summer, I’ve always been of the opinion it would give Dark Knight a run for its money,” Contrino said, “but it’s going to be too spread out for that to happen [for Eclipse].”
All-time No. 1 Movie Ever, Ever, Ever—Domestic Division: Uh, no, to answer our initial question, Avatar‘s days are not numbered. “Eclipse will be huge for sure,” Pandya said, “but I don’t see it becoming the biggest hit of all-time.” (Avatar has grossed $750 million here—and still counting.) Both Pandya and Contrino think Eclipse could top $300 million domestically, which would make it the biggest Twilight movie to date.
No slouch of a record at that.
‘Eclipse’ already breaks release record
The latest “Twilight” movie already has one record under its belt as it opens with the widest domestic release in boxoffice history.
“The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” was booked in a record 4,416 theaters for its debut Wednesday. That beats the previous record of 4,380 theaters set less than two months ago by “Iron Man 2.”
Along with midnight screenings, some theaters are scheduling showings at 3 a.m. to meet demand as fans line up for the movie.
The second installment in the vampire-romance franchise, last November’s “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” leads the boxoffice charts for best opening day with $72.7 million. The movie’s opening weekend of $142.8 million is No. 3 on the all-time chart.
“The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” was booked in a record 4,416 theaters for its debut Wednesday. That beats the previous record of 4,380 theaters set less than two months ago by “Iron Man 2.”
Along with midnight screenings, some theaters are scheduling showings at 3 a.m. to meet demand as fans line up for the movie.
The second installment in the vampire-romance franchise, last November’s “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” leads the boxoffice charts for best opening day with $72.7 million. The movie’s opening weekend of $142.8 million is No. 3 on the all-time chart.
Eclipse Review: The Best Twilight Film Yet!
While The Twilight Saga may boast an impressive, deep cast, let’s face it: this franchise is all about its three main stars.
For that reason, New Moon fell a bit flat, as Robert Pattinson scarcely appeared as Edward and we were left with too much of Bella sitting around and simply pondering her life. Granted, Taylor Lautner took his shirt off a lot, but here’s the great news about Eclipse:
Jacob is once again topless most of the time – but he isn’t the only one heating up the screen. Having been treated to a screening of Eclipse, we can confirm: it’s by far the most action-packed of all three Twilight films, and it’s also the best. Here’s why:
Bella’s internal conflict has external consequences. Jacob or Edward? Edward or Jacob? This love triangle is at the forefront of the film, but it’s placed against the backdrop of a centuries-old feud between werewolves and vampires.
This is far more than typical teenage angst; this is Bella needing to make a decision, the ramifications of which will impact all the lives around her. When Jacob and Edward agree to an alliance in order to protect the girl they love, even men in the audience might stand up and cheer. It’s exciting, selfless stuff.
The movie has a sense of humor. Early on, Edward says of Jacob: “Doesn’t he own a shirt?” It’s a cute, light-hearted wink at the audience and the pop culture phenomenon the franchise has become.
Jacob vs. Edward. Choosing a Team in this rivalry is a necessity for all fans, and Eclipse sets up more of a dichotomy than ever before. At one point, Bella complains that Edward won’t “unzip before marriage.” Meanwhile, Jacob simply oozes sweat and sex appeal. The former is old school, the latter… well, he’s ready to pounce. These differences make Bella’s dilemma all the more stark, which makes it that much more interesting to watch.
The tent scene. Trust us.
The flashbacks. Through a series of character flashbacks, we learn how multiple Cullens earned their fangs. Jasper’s tale of being a Confederate Major is especially gripping.
Great special effects. The movie climaxes with a showdown between wolves and vampires (and one human, of course) that may not be at the level of Avatar, but it makes tremendous use of CGI. Overall, the action is on par with many summer popcorn flicks.
In the end, it’s easy to understand why the Twilight Saga appeals to teenage girls everywhere: two gorgeous guys aren’t just in love with Bella, they are willing to do absolutely anything for her. It’s the stuff we all dream about.
But Eclipse adds action, adventure and history to that simple storyline. It combines the best elements of the first two films and we strongly recommend it to all readers.
For that reason, New Moon fell a bit flat, as Robert Pattinson scarcely appeared as Edward and we were left with too much of Bella sitting around and simply pondering her life. Granted, Taylor Lautner took his shirt off a lot, but here’s the great news about Eclipse:
Jacob is once again topless most of the time – but he isn’t the only one heating up the screen. Having been treated to a screening of Eclipse, we can confirm: it’s by far the most action-packed of all three Twilight films, and it’s also the best. Here’s why:
Bella’s internal conflict has external consequences. Jacob or Edward? Edward or Jacob? This love triangle is at the forefront of the film, but it’s placed against the backdrop of a centuries-old feud between werewolves and vampires.
This is far more than typical teenage angst; this is Bella needing to make a decision, the ramifications of which will impact all the lives around her. When Jacob and Edward agree to an alliance in order to protect the girl they love, even men in the audience might stand up and cheer. It’s exciting, selfless stuff.
The movie has a sense of humor. Early on, Edward says of Jacob: “Doesn’t he own a shirt?” It’s a cute, light-hearted wink at the audience and the pop culture phenomenon the franchise has become.
Jacob vs. Edward. Choosing a Team in this rivalry is a necessity for all fans, and Eclipse sets up more of a dichotomy than ever before. At one point, Bella complains that Edward won’t “unzip before marriage.” Meanwhile, Jacob simply oozes sweat and sex appeal. The former is old school, the latter… well, he’s ready to pounce. These differences make Bella’s dilemma all the more stark, which makes it that much more interesting to watch.
The tent scene. Trust us.
The flashbacks. Through a series of character flashbacks, we learn how multiple Cullens earned their fangs. Jasper’s tale of being a Confederate Major is especially gripping.
Great special effects. The movie climaxes with a showdown between wolves and vampires (and one human, of course) that may not be at the level of Avatar, but it makes tremendous use of CGI. Overall, the action is on par with many summer popcorn flicks.
In the end, it’s easy to understand why the Twilight Saga appeals to teenage girls everywhere: two gorgeous guys aren’t just in love with Bella, they are willing to do absolutely anything for her. It’s the stuff we all dream about.
But Eclipse adds action, adventure and history to that simple storyline. It combines the best elements of the first two films and we strongly recommend it to all readers.
Movie review: ‘The Twilight Saga: Eclipse’
Anyone worried about the fate of Bella, Edward, Jacob and the rest of the “Twilight” gang after the moody blues of movie No. 2 can breathe a sigh of relief. “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” is back with all of the lethal and loving bite it was meant to have: The kiss of the vampire is cooler, the werewolf is hotter, the battles are bigger and the choices are, as everyone with a pulse (and a few without) knows by now, life-changing.
It’s really all because the kids are growing up. Not just Bella, Edward and Jacob, though they’re doing their share of hitting major milestones what with their love triangle even more complicated, but Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner who finally, finally breathe life into the characters first created by publishing phenom Stephenie Meyer.
No doubt the thanks in large part should go to David Slade, the latest director in the hot seat and just what the soap opera doctor ordered. Though “Eclipse” is not high art, the “Twilight” series does have its own sort of mystical magic in the way it blends teenage angst with epic political conflicts (vampire-land has just as many turf wars and ridiculously rigid rules as the real world). Slade finds a way to blend the street-smart edge he brought to “Hard Candy” with the dark irony of “30 Days of Night” to bring some serious fun to “Eclipse.” Finally, someone with a sense of humor about vampire love….
As the movie opens, Victoria ( Bryce Dallas Howard), the flame-haired villainess set on destroying Bella, is out creating an army of newborns to take with her into battle. They’re hungry little suckers under the unruly control of delicious new hunk Riley (Xavier Samuel). They’re also extremely messy about their feeding needs, much to the growing dismay of the living locals in Seattle and the Cullen vampire clan back in Forks.
Meanwhile, Bella (Stewart) has a few other things on her mind, like high school graduation and the whole vampire wannabe issue — with her dreaded 18th birthday looming, she’ll soon be a year older than Edward (Pattinson), and she wants some of that special serum that will halt aging in its tracks (but then don’t we all).
If, for a moment, you take the “should she or shouldn’t she become a vampire” question off the table, Bella’s issues are as old as time itself: Who does she love, is she ready to commit forever and what is she willing to sacrifice for it? That’s a lot to chew on, but then everyone here has teeth, including screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg, doing her best yet to channel Meyer while adding some much-needed wryness to the proceedings.
Everyone is also very concerned about Bella’s virtue: Her dad Charlie ( Billy Burke) wants her to be careful, Edward wants her to wait until they’re married and Jacob (Lautner) just wants her to wait.
While Bella sorts through all of her “who do you love?” conflicts, the newborns close in, a few of the ancient and unpredictable Italian Volturi enforcers show up, leaving Edward and Jacob to form an uneasy alliance to protect their damsel in distress.
The good news is that all that tension helps “Eclipse” eclipse its predecessors. There is a new tenderness and sweetness that Stewart brings to her relationships — more playful with Pattinson, more affectionate with Burke (especially when Charlie tries to have “the sex talk”), and more intense with Lautner. Bella doesn’t want to let down anyone, and Stewart makes sure she doesn’t. But it’s Lautner, in particular, who has grown, giving Jacob an emotional interior nearly as hard-packed as those abs, which are very much on display.
Since the swoon factor is significant, Slade and director of photography Javier Aguirresarobe are ever mindful of the power of those faces, letting the camera go in for the close-up kill whenever it can. As for the rest of the landscape, the wonderful Aguirresarobe ( “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” and “The Sea Inside”) knows how to do luminous, and Slade has given him more room to breathe than he got in “New Moon.” “Eclipse” benefits from it throughout, including the rain-drenched lethal nights in Seattle and the extensive vampire smack downs.
The action comes in fast and furious waves. Having the werewolves getting their fur ruffled helps since your typical vampire battle is basically a bloodless sport. Dead vampires, at least as imagined in “The Twilight Saga,” have the look of broken Greek statues in a vandalized museum, which kind of takes the sting out of things and not in a good way. The same goes for the historical flashbacks that fill in werewolf lore and more about vampire Jasper ( Jackson Rathbone). Enough already.
But just when you think everything is going to come apart at the seams, someone remembers the money shot, and the screen fills with those fine-boned faces of Edward and Bella, the music soars and, gulp, they … tune in next time kids, this soap opera’s a long way from over.
It’s really all because the kids are growing up. Not just Bella, Edward and Jacob, though they’re doing their share of hitting major milestones what with their love triangle even more complicated, but Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner who finally, finally breathe life into the characters first created by publishing phenom Stephenie Meyer.
No doubt the thanks in large part should go to David Slade, the latest director in the hot seat and just what the soap opera doctor ordered. Though “Eclipse” is not high art, the “Twilight” series does have its own sort of mystical magic in the way it blends teenage angst with epic political conflicts (vampire-land has just as many turf wars and ridiculously rigid rules as the real world). Slade finds a way to blend the street-smart edge he brought to “Hard Candy” with the dark irony of “30 Days of Night” to bring some serious fun to “Eclipse.” Finally, someone with a sense of humor about vampire love….
As the movie opens, Victoria ( Bryce Dallas Howard), the flame-haired villainess set on destroying Bella, is out creating an army of newborns to take with her into battle. They’re hungry little suckers under the unruly control of delicious new hunk Riley (Xavier Samuel). They’re also extremely messy about their feeding needs, much to the growing dismay of the living locals in Seattle and the Cullen vampire clan back in Forks.
Meanwhile, Bella (Stewart) has a few other things on her mind, like high school graduation and the whole vampire wannabe issue — with her dreaded 18th birthday looming, she’ll soon be a year older than Edward (Pattinson), and she wants some of that special serum that will halt aging in its tracks (but then don’t we all).
If, for a moment, you take the “should she or shouldn’t she become a vampire” question off the table, Bella’s issues are as old as time itself: Who does she love, is she ready to commit forever and what is she willing to sacrifice for it? That’s a lot to chew on, but then everyone here has teeth, including screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg, doing her best yet to channel Meyer while adding some much-needed wryness to the proceedings.
Everyone is also very concerned about Bella’s virtue: Her dad Charlie ( Billy Burke) wants her to be careful, Edward wants her to wait until they’re married and Jacob (Lautner) just wants her to wait.
While Bella sorts through all of her “who do you love?” conflicts, the newborns close in, a few of the ancient and unpredictable Italian Volturi enforcers show up, leaving Edward and Jacob to form an uneasy alliance to protect their damsel in distress.
The good news is that all that tension helps “Eclipse” eclipse its predecessors. There is a new tenderness and sweetness that Stewart brings to her relationships — more playful with Pattinson, more affectionate with Burke (especially when Charlie tries to have “the sex talk”), and more intense with Lautner. Bella doesn’t want to let down anyone, and Stewart makes sure she doesn’t. But it’s Lautner, in particular, who has grown, giving Jacob an emotional interior nearly as hard-packed as those abs, which are very much on display.
Since the swoon factor is significant, Slade and director of photography Javier Aguirresarobe are ever mindful of the power of those faces, letting the camera go in for the close-up kill whenever it can. As for the rest of the landscape, the wonderful Aguirresarobe ( “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” and “The Sea Inside”) knows how to do luminous, and Slade has given him more room to breathe than he got in “New Moon.” “Eclipse” benefits from it throughout, including the rain-drenched lethal nights in Seattle and the extensive vampire smack downs.
The action comes in fast and furious waves. Having the werewolves getting their fur ruffled helps since your typical vampire battle is basically a bloodless sport. Dead vampires, at least as imagined in “The Twilight Saga,” have the look of broken Greek statues in a vandalized museum, which kind of takes the sting out of things and not in a good way. The same goes for the historical flashbacks that fill in werewolf lore and more about vampire Jasper ( Jackson Rathbone). Enough already.
But just when you think everything is going to come apart at the seams, someone remembers the money shot, and the screen fills with those fine-boned faces of Edward and Bella, the music soars and, gulp, they … tune in next time kids, this soap opera’s a long way from over.
Review: Finally, a ‘Twilight’ that shines
Until now, the phenomenally successful “Twilight” film franchise has failed to impress beyond its rabid fan base. The original “Twilight” and, to a lesser extent “New Moon,” assumed the traits of a low-achieving C-student, the kid with untapped potential who spent more time preening and primping than building character.
In “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” the primping and the preening continues, but in this third movie based on Stephenie Meyer’s best-selling series, there’s a sense of mature storytelling at work. Greater attention and care paid to developing tension, plot and secondary characters pays off, resulting in an entertaining and slick “Eclipse.”
And whether you’re a member of Team Edward (the pasty vampire played bystrongly cheekboned Robert Pattinson), Team Jacob (the buff teen wolf played by iron-abbed Taylor Lautner) or Team Rewrite (the non-”Twilight” fans who remain baffled by all this “I loooovvvveee you, Bella” business), you’ll like agree: this is the best film in the pack.
There are two reasons for this: Director David Slade (“Hard Candy” and “30 Days of Night”) is in charge and screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg (TV’s “Dexter”) is finally getting a handle on Meyer’s story.
Both give the material a darker, sharper tone, one with more bite and wit.
Of course for every winning snippet of dialogue like this — “I think you’ll find the vampire divorce rate a little lower” — there’s a cheesy, wince-inducing one such as this.
— “I’m going to fight for you, until your heart starts beating.”
But hey, fellow critics, let’s get off our high horse for a bit. After all, this is “Twilight” and it’s the chaste, sensual love triangle that’s packing ‘em into the theaters.
“Eclipse’s” meatier plot gives everyone, from cast to crew, a chance to shine or, in some cases, it reveals their weak points. That would be you, Lautner: You really need to start flexing those acting muscles more.
The crux of the plot remains the same: Our indecisive, kind-of-annoying heroine Bella (a solid Kristen Stewart even if she’s wearing a ridiculous wig at one point) remains torn between the affections of two overprotective suitors, the gentlemanly bloodsucker Edward and the beastly Jacob. Both boys have different ideas about dating: Edward wants to take it slow and easy, Jacob is more of the fast and furious sort.
Even though it’s hard not to root more for Jacob (not just because his of his gym-bunny body but because he offers Bella a chance to be herself and remain human), we’re supposed to side with Edward. Pattinson has a tough sell with Edward, but he’s a decent enough actor to make us like him.
In “Eclipse,” Bella dodges doubts and a vicious breed of vampires called Newborns that are forming an army in Seattle. Her nemesis from the previous two films, Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard), is pulling the strings to avenge the death of her lover at the hands of Edward.
Since everyone wants to protect Bella, an uneasy alliance forms between the feuding vampire family and wolf tribe. This allows Rosenberg to delve into the back stories of characters and Slade the chance to show some fast-paced historical flashbacks that give the film more oomph. There’s even a scene that oddly but satisfyingly recalls a PG-13 version of “Kill Bill.” Nice touch.
Equally fun is watching a seething Edward and a strutting Jacob bristle at each other, their mutual jealousy building into a crescendo during a scene in which the boys are forced to come to a preposterous compromise to save dear Bella.
Do we believe there’s a contest here? Not really. But we don’t care. “Eclipse” is a convincing piece of entertainment that demonstrates this franchise is starting to realize its full potential.
“The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”
GRADE: B
In “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” the primping and the preening continues, but in this third movie based on Stephenie Meyer’s best-selling series, there’s a sense of mature storytelling at work. Greater attention and care paid to developing tension, plot and secondary characters pays off, resulting in an entertaining and slick “Eclipse.”
And whether you’re a member of Team Edward (the pasty vampire played bystrongly cheekboned Robert Pattinson), Team Jacob (the buff teen wolf played by iron-abbed Taylor Lautner) or Team Rewrite (the non-”Twilight” fans who remain baffled by all this “I loooovvvveee you, Bella” business), you’ll like agree: this is the best film in the pack.
There are two reasons for this: Director David Slade (“Hard Candy” and “30 Days of Night”) is in charge and screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg (TV’s “Dexter”) is finally getting a handle on Meyer’s story.
Both give the material a darker, sharper tone, one with more bite and wit.
Of course for every winning snippet of dialogue like this — “I think you’ll find the vampire divorce rate a little lower” — there’s a cheesy, wince-inducing one such as this.
— “I’m going to fight for you, until your heart starts beating.”
But hey, fellow critics, let’s get off our high horse for a bit. After all, this is “Twilight” and it’s the chaste, sensual love triangle that’s packing ‘em into the theaters.
“Eclipse’s” meatier plot gives everyone, from cast to crew, a chance to shine or, in some cases, it reveals their weak points. That would be you, Lautner: You really need to start flexing those acting muscles more.
The crux of the plot remains the same: Our indecisive, kind-of-annoying heroine Bella (a solid Kristen Stewart even if she’s wearing a ridiculous wig at one point) remains torn between the affections of two overprotective suitors, the gentlemanly bloodsucker Edward and the beastly Jacob. Both boys have different ideas about dating: Edward wants to take it slow and easy, Jacob is more of the fast and furious sort.
Even though it’s hard not to root more for Jacob (not just because his of his gym-bunny body but because he offers Bella a chance to be herself and remain human), we’re supposed to side with Edward. Pattinson has a tough sell with Edward, but he’s a decent enough actor to make us like him.
In “Eclipse,” Bella dodges doubts and a vicious breed of vampires called Newborns that are forming an army in Seattle. Her nemesis from the previous two films, Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard), is pulling the strings to avenge the death of her lover at the hands of Edward.
Since everyone wants to protect Bella, an uneasy alliance forms between the feuding vampire family and wolf tribe. This allows Rosenberg to delve into the back stories of characters and Slade the chance to show some fast-paced historical flashbacks that give the film more oomph. There’s even a scene that oddly but satisfyingly recalls a PG-13 version of “Kill Bill.” Nice touch.
Equally fun is watching a seething Edward and a strutting Jacob bristle at each other, their mutual jealousy building into a crescendo during a scene in which the boys are forced to come to a preposterous compromise to save dear Bella.
Do we believe there’s a contest here? Not really. But we don’t care. “Eclipse” is a convincing piece of entertainment that demonstrates this franchise is starting to realize its full potential.
“The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”
GRADE: B
Midnight screenings of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
We are only hours away from the release of the third instalment of the ‘Twilight’ film series. ‘The Twilight Saga: Eclipse’ will open at select theaters across the country tonight at midnight.
‘Eclipse’ is the third film based on the popular vampire novels written by Stephenie Meyer. This film, similar to the two previous films, follows the teen-angst ridden love triangle between Jacob, Edwards and Bella. Most of the cast has returned for the third instalment, Taylor Lautner is back as Jacob Black, Robert Pattinson returns as the pasty and emotional vampire, Edward Cullen. Kristen Stewart revises her role as Bella Swan, the gal that both wolves and vampires cannot resist. The newcomer this time around is Bryce Dallas Howard who stepped into the role of Victoria. The film is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence and some sensuality. Some early reviews say that this is the most romantic of the three films, and also has the most intense action scenes.
A number of Sacramento theaters will be throwing their doors open at midnight so you can be the first to ‘Ecplipse.’ Century Downtown Plaza 7 will have two showings at midnight. Century Stadium 14 Sacramento, Regal Natomas Marketplace 16, and Century Sacramento Greenback 16 will have midnight showings.
‘Eclipse’ is the third film based on the popular vampire novels written by Stephenie Meyer. This film, similar to the two previous films, follows the teen-angst ridden love triangle between Jacob, Edwards and Bella. Most of the cast has returned for the third instalment, Taylor Lautner is back as Jacob Black, Robert Pattinson returns as the pasty and emotional vampire, Edward Cullen. Kristen Stewart revises her role as Bella Swan, the gal that both wolves and vampires cannot resist. The newcomer this time around is Bryce Dallas Howard who stepped into the role of Victoria. The film is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence and some sensuality. Some early reviews say that this is the most romantic of the three films, and also has the most intense action scenes.
A number of Sacramento theaters will be throwing their doors open at midnight so you can be the first to ‘Ecplipse.’ Century Downtown Plaza 7 will have two showings at midnight. Century Stadium 14 Sacramento, Regal Natomas Marketplace 16, and Century Sacramento Greenback 16 will have midnight showings.
‘Eclipse’ is the best ‘Twilight’ yet 3 Stars
We all knew director David Slade could take on the violence.
Fresh off his vampire slaughterfest “30 Days of Night,” Slade joined the “Twilight” franchise to orchestrate a vampire war. And, yes, he plunges us into a gripping melee of superstrong beings. The squeamish should be glad that vampires don’t bleed when their heads and limbs are severed.
But who knew that Slade would prove just as adept at the smaller, quieter, more personal scenes?
It’s a good thing, too, because “Eclipse” is, arguably, the best of Stephenie Meyer’s four “Twilight” novels, with plot strands interwoven into quite the page-turner.
There’s the deepening romance between human Everygirl Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and her vampire heartthrob, Edward Cullen (heartthrob Robert Pattinson). She wants to become a vampire, too, so they can spend a teenage eternity together, but he says she should remain human longer — at least until he can make an honest woman of her.
Marry? At her age? Ugh, she thinks, and presses her chaste, old-school hottie for more than PG-13 kisses.
In the two previous “Twilight” films, Bella and Edward seemed more uncomfortable, more distant, even, sorry Kristen Stewart, just plain bored. But this time they’re not only passionate, they’re actually enjoying each other’s company.
For Team Jacob, there’s the tension of the love triangle, thanks to Bella’s werewolf best friend, Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner, bare-chested for much of the movie, leading Edward to ask, “Doesn’t he own a shirt?”).
Jacob wants Bella all for himself, vampires be damned, and she’s tempted. He ignites jealousies that go beyond your basic competition over a girl; Bella is caught in a rivalry of sworn supernatural enemies.
Lautner, too, has progressed for this third installment, gritting his teeth, clenching his fists and convincing us of his pain as he pleads for Bella to choose him, not “the bloodsucker.”
And then there’s the specter of violent death, which the studio gleefully played up in the trailers (Romance? What romance?) in hopes of luring guys to the theater. News of a murder spree in nearby Seattle has pierced Bella’s peaceful town of Forks, Wash.
Gangs? A serial killer? Worse: an army of out-of-control “newborn” vampires, recently created by the vamp Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard) to avenge the death of her lover, James. (How dare those Cullens kill James in the first movie just because he was trying to murder Bella!)
Can Edward and his family save Bella (again) as well as their own alabaster skins? Can they persuade the wary werewolves to become their allies and crush the invading horde?
Slade and screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg smartly go beyond the book, using scenes culled from Meyer’s new novella about a minor vampire character, “The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner,” to portray the growing menace, to make us feel the tension as we see what’s coming.
And yet the night before the enemy is due to arrive, Slade deftly switches tone. As Bella sleeps, hidden away in a tent in the mountains, Edward and Jacob have a believable heart-to-heart, showing grudging respect for each other — and nuanced feelings.
In short, the film’s arsenal of action and emotion makes “Eclipse” the best “Twilight” movie yet.
‘ECLIPSE’
★★★
Fresh off his vampire slaughterfest “30 Days of Night,” Slade joined the “Twilight” franchise to orchestrate a vampire war. And, yes, he plunges us into a gripping melee of superstrong beings. The squeamish should be glad that vampires don’t bleed when their heads and limbs are severed.
But who knew that Slade would prove just as adept at the smaller, quieter, more personal scenes?
It’s a good thing, too, because “Eclipse” is, arguably, the best of Stephenie Meyer’s four “Twilight” novels, with plot strands interwoven into quite the page-turner.
There’s the deepening romance between human Everygirl Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and her vampire heartthrob, Edward Cullen (heartthrob Robert Pattinson). She wants to become a vampire, too, so they can spend a teenage eternity together, but he says she should remain human longer — at least until he can make an honest woman of her.
Marry? At her age? Ugh, she thinks, and presses her chaste, old-school hottie for more than PG-13 kisses.
In the two previous “Twilight” films, Bella and Edward seemed more uncomfortable, more distant, even, sorry Kristen Stewart, just plain bored. But this time they’re not only passionate, they’re actually enjoying each other’s company.
For Team Jacob, there’s the tension of the love triangle, thanks to Bella’s werewolf best friend, Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner, bare-chested for much of the movie, leading Edward to ask, “Doesn’t he own a shirt?”).
Jacob wants Bella all for himself, vampires be damned, and she’s tempted. He ignites jealousies that go beyond your basic competition over a girl; Bella is caught in a rivalry of sworn supernatural enemies.
Lautner, too, has progressed for this third installment, gritting his teeth, clenching his fists and convincing us of his pain as he pleads for Bella to choose him, not “the bloodsucker.”
And then there’s the specter of violent death, which the studio gleefully played up in the trailers (Romance? What romance?) in hopes of luring guys to the theater. News of a murder spree in nearby Seattle has pierced Bella’s peaceful town of Forks, Wash.
Gangs? A serial killer? Worse: an army of out-of-control “newborn” vampires, recently created by the vamp Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard) to avenge the death of her lover, James. (How dare those Cullens kill James in the first movie just because he was trying to murder Bella!)
Can Edward and his family save Bella (again) as well as their own alabaster skins? Can they persuade the wary werewolves to become their allies and crush the invading horde?
Slade and screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg smartly go beyond the book, using scenes culled from Meyer’s new novella about a minor vampire character, “The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner,” to portray the growing menace, to make us feel the tension as we see what’s coming.
And yet the night before the enemy is due to arrive, Slade deftly switches tone. As Bella sleeps, hidden away in a tent in the mountains, Edward and Jacob have a believable heart-to-heart, showing grudging respect for each other — and nuanced feelings.
In short, the film’s arsenal of action and emotion makes “Eclipse” the best “Twilight” movie yet.
‘ECLIPSE’
★★★
The Washington Post Says “Eclipse” Goes Deep Into Obsessions Of Those Living In “Twilight”
Team Edward or Team Jacob?
For anyone who has a ready answer to that question, the arrival of “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” is as welcome as a northwestern breeze in the middle of a torrid heat wave. And they will most likely feel well rewarded by this respectful, unfussy installment of their beloved “Twilight” series, in which 17-year-old heroine Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) inches ever closer to becoming a vampire and joining her forbidden love, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) forever.
Of course, there are complications, not least among them Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), her childhood friend — oh, and part-time werewolf — who has a knack for showing up at inopportune moments. “Doesn’t he own a shirt?” Edward asks mockingly at one point. And it’s true, Jake and his posse give more ab action than the entire cast of “300″ (with better tattoos).
In “Eclipse,” Bella is also being pursued by the flame-haired Victoria (played by Bryce Dallas Howard in a role originated by the unceremoniously axed Rachelle Lefevre), who is busy amassing an army of “newborn” vampires to wreak vengeance on Bella and the whole Cullen clan.
But anyone interested in seeing “Eclipse” knows this already because, like “Harry Potter” and “The Lord of the Rings,” the “Twilight” movies are designed not as movies that work as cinematic objects themselves, but rather as illustrations of books whose fans approach them with the exegetical seriousness of sacred texts. As such, “Eclipse” succeeds with honor, if not panache, moving the story along with economy and focused momentum. As Catherine Hardwicke did in the first “Twilight,” director David Slade pays close attention to mood and atmosphere, a sensitivity that last year’s “New Moon” grievously lacked (somehow both frenetic and plodding, it wound up feeling like “The Da Vinci Code” mashed up with a feminine-hygiene commercial).
With all the talk about the Big Change to come after graduation, with Bella longing for physical intimacy with Edward and Edward valiantly resisting, the cardinal “Twilight” themes of longing, chastity and protection are stronger than ever. More deeply psychological than the first two, “Eclipse” goes further not just in advancing the story but also in illuminating the tension that Bella embodies — between autonomy and surrender — and clarifying her desire to become a bloodless, marmoreal being who has no human connections. With Edward, she explains at one point, she feels “stronger, more real, more myself.”
Still, for characters with such provocative complications, Bella and Edward are extraordinarily bland, especially channeled by way of Stewart and Pattinson’s slurry, reticent delivery and resistance to making eye contact. Barely recognizable beneath pale makeup and brown contacts that give her a dilated, doll-like stare, Stewart registers emotion mostly by looking as if she’s just eaten a bad sandwich. The film’s most animated scene isn’t between her and Pattinson, but between Pattinson and Lautner, as their characters discuss their rivalry with good-natured guy talk. “Face it, I’m hotter than you,” Jake says to the cold-blooded Edward.
Filmed mostly as a series of close-ups of people talking, with occasional flashbacks and blurry, nearly incoherent action scenes, “Eclipse” will look fine on an iPhone, which for its teenage audience is probably all to the good. If Slade doesn’t necessarily advance the medium with this installment, he nonetheless advances the franchise, with enough lucidity and skill that he’s persuaded at least one erstwhile agnostic to take a stand. Team Jacob, all the way. Shirts are overrated.
For anyone who has a ready answer to that question, the arrival of “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” is as welcome as a northwestern breeze in the middle of a torrid heat wave. And they will most likely feel well rewarded by this respectful, unfussy installment of their beloved “Twilight” series, in which 17-year-old heroine Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) inches ever closer to becoming a vampire and joining her forbidden love, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) forever.
Of course, there are complications, not least among them Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), her childhood friend — oh, and part-time werewolf — who has a knack for showing up at inopportune moments. “Doesn’t he own a shirt?” Edward asks mockingly at one point. And it’s true, Jake and his posse give more ab action than the entire cast of “300″ (with better tattoos).
In “Eclipse,” Bella is also being pursued by the flame-haired Victoria (played by Bryce Dallas Howard in a role originated by the unceremoniously axed Rachelle Lefevre), who is busy amassing an army of “newborn” vampires to wreak vengeance on Bella and the whole Cullen clan.
But anyone interested in seeing “Eclipse” knows this already because, like “Harry Potter” and “The Lord of the Rings,” the “Twilight” movies are designed not as movies that work as cinematic objects themselves, but rather as illustrations of books whose fans approach them with the exegetical seriousness of sacred texts. As such, “Eclipse” succeeds with honor, if not panache, moving the story along with economy and focused momentum. As Catherine Hardwicke did in the first “Twilight,” director David Slade pays close attention to mood and atmosphere, a sensitivity that last year’s “New Moon” grievously lacked (somehow both frenetic and plodding, it wound up feeling like “The Da Vinci Code” mashed up with a feminine-hygiene commercial).
With all the talk about the Big Change to come after graduation, with Bella longing for physical intimacy with Edward and Edward valiantly resisting, the cardinal “Twilight” themes of longing, chastity and protection are stronger than ever. More deeply psychological than the first two, “Eclipse” goes further not just in advancing the story but also in illuminating the tension that Bella embodies — between autonomy and surrender — and clarifying her desire to become a bloodless, marmoreal being who has no human connections. With Edward, she explains at one point, she feels “stronger, more real, more myself.”
Still, for characters with such provocative complications, Bella and Edward are extraordinarily bland, especially channeled by way of Stewart and Pattinson’s slurry, reticent delivery and resistance to making eye contact. Barely recognizable beneath pale makeup and brown contacts that give her a dilated, doll-like stare, Stewart registers emotion mostly by looking as if she’s just eaten a bad sandwich. The film’s most animated scene isn’t between her and Pattinson, but between Pattinson and Lautner, as their characters discuss their rivalry with good-natured guy talk. “Face it, I’m hotter than you,” Jake says to the cold-blooded Edward.
Filmed mostly as a series of close-ups of people talking, with occasional flashbacks and blurry, nearly incoherent action scenes, “Eclipse” will look fine on an iPhone, which for its teenage audience is probably all to the good. If Slade doesn’t necessarily advance the medium with this installment, he nonetheless advances the franchise, with enough lucidity and skill that he’s persuaded at least one erstwhile agnostic to take a stand. Team Jacob, all the way. Shirts are overrated.
Film Critic Emanuel Levy Gives “Eclipse” a B-
More articulate, more plot-driven than the previous segments, “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,” the third film of Stephenie Meyer’s successful book series, is artistically the most interesting and engaging chapter thus far.
However, it also proves that the particular story and the dilemmas faced by the central characters are far more important than the specific director assigned to the project, though helmer David Slade should get some credit for the higher level of acting and better production values.
Relying on more action and events, and less mood and attitude, “Eclipse” is a revenge-driven romantic movie, which should please the fans of the books as well as the supporters of the first two movie chapters. Regardless of what kind of reviews it gets, the third installment should score big (perhaps the biggest) for its distributor, Summit Entertainment, which will open the picture on June 30, in the midst of the summer season. (The previous installments were released on Thanksgiving weekend, see below).
In less than five years, Phoenix housewife-writer Stephenie Meyer has become a worldwide publishing phenomenon. The translation rights for her four “Twilight” novels have been sold in nearly 50 countries and 100 million copies have been sold worldwide. Her books have been on the bestseller list for over 142 weeks.
Two notches above the previous chapter, “New Moon,” which suffered from an indulgent, overly long narrative and a pretentiously gloomy mood, “Eclipse” is functionally directed by David Slade, who had previously made “30 Days of Night” and “Hard Candy.” Smartly, Slade pays greater attention than his two predecessors to storytelling and characterization, and as a result, his youthful cast, headed by Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, comes across as more appealing than before.
Though giving this saga a different visual style from that of his predecessors (the first by Catherine Hardwick and the second by Chris Weitz), Slade shows than an intelligent director can shape the literary material into an engaging picture, given the broad base of the book series, and the sepcific dramatic elements at this phase of sprawling narrative.
By now the trio of characters are so established and the basic ingredients of the saga so familiar that it may be hard for any director to give the franchise a truly personal touch; I am not sure that the fans want it, either.
In this tale, scripted by Melissa Rosenberg, the young, sexy, and endlessly confused Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) once again faces danger, albeit of a different kind. Seattle’s environment seems to be ravaged by a string of scary and unexplained mysterious killings, not to mention the quest for revenge by an uncontrollably malicious vampire.
But, like in the previous chapters, what count the most are matters of the heart. And, indeed, Bella is now forced to choose between her love for Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and her friendship with Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner). Bella’s decision, which is depicted as the most fateful she has had to make, goes beyond selecting a personal favorite–it could ignite the long-lasting but dormant conflict between vampire and werewolf.
Time is not in Bella’s favor since her graduation is quickly approaching. As an outsider among her cohorts, she is preoccupied by different concerns. While most of her high school friends deal with their education–receiving college acceptances, sending graduation announcements–Bella is torn by another conflict. She is struggling with Edward’s compromise to marry him before he agrees to be the one to change her into a vampire. Bella knows that her decision will have consequences not only to herself, but also to her family and her friends.
“Eclipse” is enriched by the fact that Bella’s dilemma is placed in a broader, more dramatically menacing social context than the previous segments. Playing with the blind spots in the Cullen Family’s mystical gifts, an unexplained force has created a Newborn Army, made up of the newly turned vampires. The viciousness and uncontrollable blood lust of these bizarre creatures appear to be strongest in the first months of supernatural life.
There’s some question as to the origins of this specific war? Are the new vampires the product of Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard) in her single-minded pursuit of vengeance, or the creation of Volturi, who wants to ensure that Bella follows through on her intention to become immortal?
In the movie’s second reel, the Newborn Army, led by the pawn Riley (Xavier Samuel), makes its way towards Forks and the Quileute land. As a result, the Cullens and the Wolf Pack are forced to put aside their instinctual conflict and form an alliance that would protect Bella and their community from a larger threat.
As they prepare for battle, Bella is eager to learn more about the secret history of the Quileute tribe, the growing Wolf Pack, and the origins of Jasper and Rosalie. She firmly believes that this knowledge will help her understand the bonds among the wolves and her love for Jacob Black, perhaps even contribute to the protection of those she loves.
Technically, too, production values and special effects of “Eclipse” are better than those of the former pictures, a joint function of the large budget as well as skills of director Slade in giving the sage a more pronounced (though still impersonal) visual style.
Take a long breath: There are two more movies to be seen in this franchise, based on Summit’s decision to split the fourth (and last book) into two pictures, perhaps following the model of the “Harry Potter” saga.
However, it also proves that the particular story and the dilemmas faced by the central characters are far more important than the specific director assigned to the project, though helmer David Slade should get some credit for the higher level of acting and better production values.
Relying on more action and events, and less mood and attitude, “Eclipse” is a revenge-driven romantic movie, which should please the fans of the books as well as the supporters of the first two movie chapters. Regardless of what kind of reviews it gets, the third installment should score big (perhaps the biggest) for its distributor, Summit Entertainment, which will open the picture on June 30, in the midst of the summer season. (The previous installments were released on Thanksgiving weekend, see below).
In less than five years, Phoenix housewife-writer Stephenie Meyer has become a worldwide publishing phenomenon. The translation rights for her four “Twilight” novels have been sold in nearly 50 countries and 100 million copies have been sold worldwide. Her books have been on the bestseller list for over 142 weeks.
Two notches above the previous chapter, “New Moon,” which suffered from an indulgent, overly long narrative and a pretentiously gloomy mood, “Eclipse” is functionally directed by David Slade, who had previously made “30 Days of Night” and “Hard Candy.” Smartly, Slade pays greater attention than his two predecessors to storytelling and characterization, and as a result, his youthful cast, headed by Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, comes across as more appealing than before.
Though giving this saga a different visual style from that of his predecessors (the first by Catherine Hardwick and the second by Chris Weitz), Slade shows than an intelligent director can shape the literary material into an engaging picture, given the broad base of the book series, and the sepcific dramatic elements at this phase of sprawling narrative.
By now the trio of characters are so established and the basic ingredients of the saga so familiar that it may be hard for any director to give the franchise a truly personal touch; I am not sure that the fans want it, either.
In this tale, scripted by Melissa Rosenberg, the young, sexy, and endlessly confused Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) once again faces danger, albeit of a different kind. Seattle’s environment seems to be ravaged by a string of scary and unexplained mysterious killings, not to mention the quest for revenge by an uncontrollably malicious vampire.
But, like in the previous chapters, what count the most are matters of the heart. And, indeed, Bella is now forced to choose between her love for Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and her friendship with Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner). Bella’s decision, which is depicted as the most fateful she has had to make, goes beyond selecting a personal favorite–it could ignite the long-lasting but dormant conflict between vampire and werewolf.
Time is not in Bella’s favor since her graduation is quickly approaching. As an outsider among her cohorts, she is preoccupied by different concerns. While most of her high school friends deal with their education–receiving college acceptances, sending graduation announcements–Bella is torn by another conflict. She is struggling with Edward’s compromise to marry him before he agrees to be the one to change her into a vampire. Bella knows that her decision will have consequences not only to herself, but also to her family and her friends.
“Eclipse” is enriched by the fact that Bella’s dilemma is placed in a broader, more dramatically menacing social context than the previous segments. Playing with the blind spots in the Cullen Family’s mystical gifts, an unexplained force has created a Newborn Army, made up of the newly turned vampires. The viciousness and uncontrollable blood lust of these bizarre creatures appear to be strongest in the first months of supernatural life.
There’s some question as to the origins of this specific war? Are the new vampires the product of Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard) in her single-minded pursuit of vengeance, or the creation of Volturi, who wants to ensure that Bella follows through on her intention to become immortal?
In the movie’s second reel, the Newborn Army, led by the pawn Riley (Xavier Samuel), makes its way towards Forks and the Quileute land. As a result, the Cullens and the Wolf Pack are forced to put aside their instinctual conflict and form an alliance that would protect Bella and their community from a larger threat.
As they prepare for battle, Bella is eager to learn more about the secret history of the Quileute tribe, the growing Wolf Pack, and the origins of Jasper and Rosalie. She firmly believes that this knowledge will help her understand the bonds among the wolves and her love for Jacob Black, perhaps even contribute to the protection of those she loves.
Technically, too, production values and special effects of “Eclipse” are better than those of the former pictures, a joint function of the large budget as well as skills of director Slade in giving the sage a more pronounced (though still impersonal) visual style.
Take a long breath: There are two more movies to be seen in this franchise, based on Summit’s decision to split the fourth (and last book) into two pictures, perhaps following the model of the “Harry Potter” saga.
The Boston Globe’s Review of “Eclipse”
‘The Twilight Saga: Eclipse’’ continues to perpetrate the longest, oddest courtship in the history of the movies. She wants him. He wants to wait. This is the third movie in the series, and it mitigates its parable for sex, abstinence, and moral choices with hot vampires and overheated werewolves. You have to commend the peddlers of this particular installment. They’ve squared the metaphors and parallels almost evenly — bloodsuckers vs. their lupine adversaries, lust vs. chastity, talking vs. action.
“Eclipse,’’ which is based on Stephenie Meyer’s books (there are four), favors discourse over derringdo, and since the filmmaking is logy and rhythmless, there’s also a lot of derringdon’t. But in a season of lobotomized action spectacles, watching three teenagers — one of whom happens to be as old as the hills — prattle for two long hours about their feelings is noble. If the first two movies were “get a room,’’ part three is “get a therapist.’’
Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) remains unsure about whether she loves her vampire suitor, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), more than Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), her frequently topless werewolf protector. At some point, Bella finds herself in danger (again, or it is “still’’?) and needs to be hidden away in a tent with Edward and Jacob. I honestly can’t explain why. Meyer blends role-playing fantasy with “dear diary’’ wishfulness, so the plot is necessary even though it’s baffling — Bryce Dallas Howard joins the cast as a vengeful vampire, and Dakota Fanning reprises her small role as some kind of hooded vampire goth with a nasty case of red-eye.
Anyway: Bella. As she sleeps in that tent during a storm, Edward and Jacob proceed to have a civilized conversation about what she wants, needs, and feels. They’re bitter rivals, overperforming their attraction to her for the benefit of annoying each other (talk about get a room). I think Bonobo monkeys do the same thing. But for one chilly evening, as Jacob warms his sullen beauty in a sleeping bag and Edward looks on flexing his glittering pallor into a silent-movie scowl, the two men declare détente to talk with the seriousness and urgency of heads of state. (What else is Bella, at this point, if not territory in dispute.) We’ll have to wait until chapter four (parts one and two) to find out which adorable monster gets to plant his flag. It’s “Real World Camp David.’’
In the meantime, Bella’s horniness seems distressingly neutralized by her pending wedding to Edward. He valiantly withholds his mind-blowing vampire sex until they’re married. (The allegory is compelling, but, morally speaking, remains comically cruel.) Bella just wants to set a date, nonetheless, despite her feelings for the other guy. As Plan B, Lautner has come from behind as more than watchable. Yes, he has the body of bachelorette-party entertainment and a face Chester Gould might have drawn. But he’s the one person here who seems to mean it when he says his heart aches. Stewart still wears an expectant snarl that says, “I wanna know what love is,’’ but increasingly she and Bella feel marginal to the proceedings. Her own speech about who she is and what she wants isn’t convincing. Hasn’t Bella always known this? Hasn’t Jennifer Love Hewitt given the same talk in her Neutrogena ads?
These movies are more about the experience of hearing girls and women who should know better holler at the screen. They could just as well be at a concert. Sometimes they scream for Jacob. Others, they hoot for Edward. Though, oddly, rarely for Billy Burke who plays Bella’s age-appropriate father. (Ladies, he’s single and kind of funny; the mustache alone should win him a second date.) The degree to which “Twilight’’ is an adolescent girl’s fantasy gives it cultural value. But as fun, only the first film, which Catherine Hardwicke directed, felt attuned to the crucial discovery and denial of sex with a dream boy. The other installments — David Slade directed this one — repeat that discovery without truly deepening it, not that quality or depth matter under the circumstances. The movies are interesting without ever being good.
“Eclipse,’’ which is based on Stephenie Meyer’s books (there are four), favors discourse over derringdo, and since the filmmaking is logy and rhythmless, there’s also a lot of derringdon’t. But in a season of lobotomized action spectacles, watching three teenagers — one of whom happens to be as old as the hills — prattle for two long hours about their feelings is noble. If the first two movies were “get a room,’’ part three is “get a therapist.’’
Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) remains unsure about whether she loves her vampire suitor, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), more than Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), her frequently topless werewolf protector. At some point, Bella finds herself in danger (again, or it is “still’’?) and needs to be hidden away in a tent with Edward and Jacob. I honestly can’t explain why. Meyer blends role-playing fantasy with “dear diary’’ wishfulness, so the plot is necessary even though it’s baffling — Bryce Dallas Howard joins the cast as a vengeful vampire, and Dakota Fanning reprises her small role as some kind of hooded vampire goth with a nasty case of red-eye.
Anyway: Bella. As she sleeps in that tent during a storm, Edward and Jacob proceed to have a civilized conversation about what she wants, needs, and feels. They’re bitter rivals, overperforming their attraction to her for the benefit of annoying each other (talk about get a room). I think Bonobo monkeys do the same thing. But for one chilly evening, as Jacob warms his sullen beauty in a sleeping bag and Edward looks on flexing his glittering pallor into a silent-movie scowl, the two men declare détente to talk with the seriousness and urgency of heads of state. (What else is Bella, at this point, if not territory in dispute.) We’ll have to wait until chapter four (parts one and two) to find out which adorable monster gets to plant his flag. It’s “Real World Camp David.’’
In the meantime, Bella’s horniness seems distressingly neutralized by her pending wedding to Edward. He valiantly withholds his mind-blowing vampire sex until they’re married. (The allegory is compelling, but, morally speaking, remains comically cruel.) Bella just wants to set a date, nonetheless, despite her feelings for the other guy. As Plan B, Lautner has come from behind as more than watchable. Yes, he has the body of bachelorette-party entertainment and a face Chester Gould might have drawn. But he’s the one person here who seems to mean it when he says his heart aches. Stewart still wears an expectant snarl that says, “I wanna know what love is,’’ but increasingly she and Bella feel marginal to the proceedings. Her own speech about who she is and what she wants isn’t convincing. Hasn’t Bella always known this? Hasn’t Jennifer Love Hewitt given the same talk in her Neutrogena ads?
These movies are more about the experience of hearing girls and women who should know better holler at the screen. They could just as well be at a concert. Sometimes they scream for Jacob. Others, they hoot for Edward. Though, oddly, rarely for Billy Burke who plays Bella’s age-appropriate father. (Ladies, he’s single and kind of funny; the mustache alone should win him a second date.) The degree to which “Twilight’’ is an adolescent girl’s fantasy gives it cultural value. But as fun, only the first film, which Catherine Hardwicke directed, felt attuned to the crucial discovery and denial of sex with a dream boy. The other installments — David Slade directed this one — repeat that discovery without truly deepening it, not that quality or depth matter under the circumstances. The movies are interesting without ever being good.
USA Today Says “Eclipse” is the Most Romantic in the “Twilight” Genre
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (** out of four), the third film based on Stephenie Meyer’s wildly popular vampire novels, is pretty much more of the same.
Team Jacob is still hotter. Actor Taylor Lautner spends most of the movie shirtless as Jacob Black — when he’s not shape shifting into a hulking wolf.
Robert Pattinson’s brooding vampire, Edward Cullen. still has the better hair and more dramatic lips — distractingly ruby-red, at times.
And Kristen Stewart’s Bella Swan, the object of their affection, is much less morose than in the earlier films. This may be because there is some steamy kissing with both Edward and Jacob.
This is definitely the most romantic of the films, although some of these scenes are set in flower-filled meadows that bring to mind feminine-hygiene commercials. The action sequences are harder-edged, and occasionally exciting, especially the scenes of vamps who sprint and run in mid-air, as if in flight.
But it’s still hard to see what all the fuss over ordinary Bella is about. And that inexplicable fuss is at the core of a love triangle introduced in the second film and drawn out in this one.
Bella really loves Edward and sort of loves Jacob. It’s high school, after all. Still, she’s not exactly torn between two lovers. Despite some potent chemistry with Jacob, Edward is the guy for Bella, and she’s willing to become undead to prove it.
Scenes in which she conveys a subtle sadness over her impending “change” are among the movie’s best, but they are short-lived. Mostly there’s a lot of nonsense about a vampire army of “newborns,” who have been recently transformed and are more violent and unpredictable for it.
We are shown more of the historical lineage of the Cullen family of vampires and a bit of lore about Jacob’s Quileute tribe. But these back stories are fleeting and presented in a clichéd, pastiche style.
While director David Slade’s unnerving psychological drama Hard Candy (2005) was fascinating in its unpredictability, he is hampered here by Meyer’s leaden plot, adapted like the previous ones by Melissa Rosenberg. Early scenes have a gritty tension, but the rest of the movie, with its slow pacing and lackluster cinematography, doesn’t live up to that initial promise. An appearance by the Italy-based vampire powerbrokers, the Volturi (led by Dakota Fanning) feels tacked on.
Edward’s courtly wooing of Bella has its charms. “You’ll always be my Bella,” he tells her sweetly. Jacob has an appealingly friendly bluster and some of the best quips.
He comes to Bella’s rescue on a snowy mountainside where she lays in a tent shivering uncontrollably. Edward, whose skin shimmers and has a marble texture, is powerless to help her. But Jacob, whose body temperature runs toasty, gallantly offers to warm her up. “Let’s face it: I’m hotter than you,” he tells his rival, and the audience laps it up.
The huge contingent of girls — and women with girlish fantasies — who liked the first two movies will doubtless enjoy Eclipse. But this third go-round won’t make Twihard converts of the rest of us.
(Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence and some sensuality; running time: 2 hours and 4 minutes. Opens at midnight in select cities and nationwide on Wednesday.)
Team Jacob is still hotter. Actor Taylor Lautner spends most of the movie shirtless as Jacob Black — when he’s not shape shifting into a hulking wolf.
Robert Pattinson’s brooding vampire, Edward Cullen. still has the better hair and more dramatic lips — distractingly ruby-red, at times.
And Kristen Stewart’s Bella Swan, the object of their affection, is much less morose than in the earlier films. This may be because there is some steamy kissing with both Edward and Jacob.
This is definitely the most romantic of the films, although some of these scenes are set in flower-filled meadows that bring to mind feminine-hygiene commercials. The action sequences are harder-edged, and occasionally exciting, especially the scenes of vamps who sprint and run in mid-air, as if in flight.
But it’s still hard to see what all the fuss over ordinary Bella is about. And that inexplicable fuss is at the core of a love triangle introduced in the second film and drawn out in this one.
Bella really loves Edward and sort of loves Jacob. It’s high school, after all. Still, she’s not exactly torn between two lovers. Despite some potent chemistry with Jacob, Edward is the guy for Bella, and she’s willing to become undead to prove it.
Scenes in which she conveys a subtle sadness over her impending “change” are among the movie’s best, but they are short-lived. Mostly there’s a lot of nonsense about a vampire army of “newborns,” who have been recently transformed and are more violent and unpredictable for it.
We are shown more of the historical lineage of the Cullen family of vampires and a bit of lore about Jacob’s Quileute tribe. But these back stories are fleeting and presented in a clichéd, pastiche style.
While director David Slade’s unnerving psychological drama Hard Candy (2005) was fascinating in its unpredictability, he is hampered here by Meyer’s leaden plot, adapted like the previous ones by Melissa Rosenberg. Early scenes have a gritty tension, but the rest of the movie, with its slow pacing and lackluster cinematography, doesn’t live up to that initial promise. An appearance by the Italy-based vampire powerbrokers, the Volturi (led by Dakota Fanning) feels tacked on.
Edward’s courtly wooing of Bella has its charms. “You’ll always be my Bella,” he tells her sweetly. Jacob has an appealingly friendly bluster and some of the best quips.
He comes to Bella’s rescue on a snowy mountainside where she lays in a tent shivering uncontrollably. Edward, whose skin shimmers and has a marble texture, is powerless to help her. But Jacob, whose body temperature runs toasty, gallantly offers to warm her up. “Let’s face it: I’m hotter than you,” he tells his rival, and the audience laps it up.
The huge contingent of girls — and women with girlish fantasies — who liked the first two movies will doubtless enjoy Eclipse. But this third go-round won’t make Twihard converts of the rest of us.
(Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence and some sensuality; running time: 2 hours and 4 minutes. Opens at midnight in select cities and nationwide on Wednesday.)
“The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”: will vampires and werewolves defeat Batman and Joker?
I’m pretty sure we all know that “Eclipse” will be #1 in the weekend box office, and will put up some huge numbers. But will it put up bigger numbers than “New Moon”?
No one was expecting “New Moon” to give “The Dark Knight” and “Spiderman 3″ a run for their money as the biggest opening weekend of all time, which “The Dark Knight” still holds at $158.4 million. However, it did shatter the midnight showing and opening day box office records held by “The Dark Knight” and “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”.
I don’t think it’s ridiculous to think that “Eclipse” will shatter the records held by its predecessor. But will it touch, or even break the seemingly untouchable number put up by “The Dark Knight” and break the weekend box office record? I think the numbers will be closer than people think. The promotion for “Eclipse” has been huge, and it is getting more great reviews from top rated critics than bad ones. This franchise gets bigger every year, and I think it may just do the impossible. These are my predictions:
Midnight Showing sales:
New Moon: $26.3 million
Harry Potter 6: $22.2 million
The Dark Knight: $18.4 million
Eclipse prediction: $30 million (yup, I said it. $30 mil.)
Opening Day sales:
New Moon: $72.7 million
The Dark Knight: $67.2 million
Eclipse prediction: $78 million (however, I really want to say $80 mil)
Opening Weekend sales:
New Moon: $142.8 million
The Dark Knight: $158.4 million
Spiderman 3: $151.4 million
Eclipse prediction: $155 million
Now, I would really like to say “Eclipse” will break the opening weekend box office record, but the numbers put up by “The Dark Knight” seem just a little too out of reach. However, I have no problem thinking it will pass “Spiderman 3″. The reason I think it will however, give “The Dark Knight” a run for its money is because the only other movie opening this weekend is “The Last Airbender”, which isn’t nearly as anticipated as “Eclipse”, and isn’t opening until Thursday. Plus, “Toy Story 3″ is still making a good portion of money.
Here’s the way I see it. Obviously there are people out there not interested in “Eclipse”. But there is nothing else that opens this weekend for an audience that is not interested in fantasy. So people will either be seeing “Eclipse”, “The Last Airbender” or “Toy Story 3″. The female audience, will be seeing “Eclipse”, which leaves the males to see the other two. However, with the amount of fangirl power that Twi-hards have, you can expect the female audience to go back and see “Eclipse” at least 3 times in the first couple days. I saw “New Moon” twice in the first 24 hours of its release, and that doesn’t even come close to true fangirl power.
Anyway, I was just wondering about it today, and figured I would write up a blog of my thoughts. So there it is. One thing we do know for sure, “Eclipse” will have a huge opening, that we can count on.
No one was expecting “New Moon” to give “The Dark Knight” and “Spiderman 3″ a run for their money as the biggest opening weekend of all time, which “The Dark Knight” still holds at $158.4 million. However, it did shatter the midnight showing and opening day box office records held by “The Dark Knight” and “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”.
I don’t think it’s ridiculous to think that “Eclipse” will shatter the records held by its predecessor. But will it touch, or even break the seemingly untouchable number put up by “The Dark Knight” and break the weekend box office record? I think the numbers will be closer than people think. The promotion for “Eclipse” has been huge, and it is getting more great reviews from top rated critics than bad ones. This franchise gets bigger every year, and I think it may just do the impossible. These are my predictions:
Midnight Showing sales:
New Moon: $26.3 million
Harry Potter 6: $22.2 million
The Dark Knight: $18.4 million
Eclipse prediction: $30 million (yup, I said it. $30 mil.)
Opening Day sales:
New Moon: $72.7 million
The Dark Knight: $67.2 million
Eclipse prediction: $78 million (however, I really want to say $80 mil)
Opening Weekend sales:
New Moon: $142.8 million
The Dark Knight: $158.4 million
Spiderman 3: $151.4 million
Eclipse prediction: $155 million
Now, I would really like to say “Eclipse” will break the opening weekend box office record, but the numbers put up by “The Dark Knight” seem just a little too out of reach. However, I have no problem thinking it will pass “Spiderman 3″. The reason I think it will however, give “The Dark Knight” a run for its money is because the only other movie opening this weekend is “The Last Airbender”, which isn’t nearly as anticipated as “Eclipse”, and isn’t opening until Thursday. Plus, “Toy Story 3″ is still making a good portion of money.
Here’s the way I see it. Obviously there are people out there not interested in “Eclipse”. But there is nothing else that opens this weekend for an audience that is not interested in fantasy. So people will either be seeing “Eclipse”, “The Last Airbender” or “Toy Story 3″. The female audience, will be seeing “Eclipse”, which leaves the males to see the other two. However, with the amount of fangirl power that Twi-hards have, you can expect the female audience to go back and see “Eclipse” at least 3 times in the first couple days. I saw “New Moon” twice in the first 24 hours of its release, and that doesn’t even come close to true fangirl power.
Anyway, I was just wondering about it today, and figured I would write up a blog of my thoughts. So there it is. One thing we do know for sure, “Eclipse” will have a huge opening, that we can count on.
“Eclipse” Estimated to Make $150 Million In Its First 6 Days
Note to captains of motion-picture industry: Acquiring the rights to bestselling vampire novels can increase ROI and help your bottom line.
With the ink still damp on $709.7 million of worldwide box-office gross from “Twilight Saga: New Moon,” Summit Entertainment well debut part-three franchise “Twilight” installment “Eclipse” into 4,408 engagements Wednesday, many of them offering midnight engagements.
With that theater count including 193 IMAX locations, Summit Entertainment officials are moving “Twilight” out of November for the first time, giving the film access to its young-female core demographic at a time when its constituents are out of school.
Conservative forecasts predict the PG-13-rated film will gross $150 million domestically in its first six days of release, spanning through the holiday weekend. That would usurp the $142.8 million three-day opening for “New Moon” last November.
“Eclipse,” which returns the core cast of Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, will also debut in 41 foreign territories this weekend.
“We hope our opening day will be bigger on opening day because our audience isn’t getting up for school,” noted Summit distribution chief Richie Fay.
With tracking surveys revealing the “definite interests” of young female demographics to be in the almost unheard of 40-percent-and-above range, “Eclipse” will try to improve on a male-demo turnout that tallied less than 20 percent of the total audience for “New Moon.”
“We think being in IMAX this time around will help with that,” Fay added. “IMAX has the tendency to broaden the audience.”
With the ink still damp on $709.7 million of worldwide box-office gross from “Twilight Saga: New Moon,” Summit Entertainment well debut part-three franchise “Twilight” installment “Eclipse” into 4,408 engagements Wednesday, many of them offering midnight engagements.
With that theater count including 193 IMAX locations, Summit Entertainment officials are moving “Twilight” out of November for the first time, giving the film access to its young-female core demographic at a time when its constituents are out of school.
Conservative forecasts predict the PG-13-rated film will gross $150 million domestically in its first six days of release, spanning through the holiday weekend. That would usurp the $142.8 million three-day opening for “New Moon” last November.
“Eclipse,” which returns the core cast of Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, will also debut in 41 foreign territories this weekend.
“We hope our opening day will be bigger on opening day because our audience isn’t getting up for school,” noted Summit distribution chief Richie Fay.
With tracking surveys revealing the “definite interests” of young female demographics to be in the almost unheard of 40-percent-and-above range, “Eclipse” will try to improve on a male-demo turnout that tallied less than 20 percent of the total audience for “New Moon.”
“We think being in IMAX this time around will help with that,” Fay added. “IMAX has the tendency to broaden the audience.”
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