The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1

(Before you read ahead do know - this review is from a once die-hard fan turned neutral....ME!)

A two-part finale seems to be the new get go for Hollywood movie to whisk extra money out of fan-favorite young adult franchises – and an arguable way to give lengthier final book installments a bit more room to wrap everything up. While audiences were initially skeptical of the idea when it was introduced with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and Part 2, the success of the final two Potter films (both commercially and critically) seemingly justified the extra trip to the theater. But does Breaking Dawn Part 1 fit the standard.....definitely a big NO (and thats coming from a person who loved the concept behind the story....aka ME).

At least half of the film is dominated by one melodramatic scene after another – in place of either interesting character interactions or exciting action – essentially laying ground for the (presumably) more stimulating Part 2. The first half of Breaking Dawn is a mishmash of moments that fail to build tension or further develop any of the fan-favorite characters. The basic plot follows the marriage of the ever sparkly Edward Cullen and Bella Swan as they prepare for their nuptials. The wedding is a grand and joyous affair but not everyone is happy; queue in Jacob. As the wedding bells fall silent, the newlyweds unexpectedly threaten the tenuous alliance between Cullens and Jacob’s Werewolf clan – causing former friends, as well as reluctant allies, to choose sides.

Simply put, the events in Breaking Dawn – Part 1 are underwhelming. While die-hard fans may find the extended honeymoon sequence cathartic – since the films and books have often been criticized for being too “tame” when it comes to sexuality – all of the lustful looks and “passionate” make-out sessions entirely derail any momentum and charm the film had coming out of the opening act. While in previous movies, the fan favourite seemed well balanced with a bit of humor and seriousness here and there but at the end it was a mis-mash of scenes, now here the die hard fans would argue that the film-makers just wanted to stay true to the books....all good....but it is also up to the creative crew to take a big book and make it sing in two or most yet two and a half hours, where it fails. 

Instead for a more competent film experience, Breaking Dawn: Part 1 is simply pandering to the existing fan-base (aka teenage girls) with almost nothing of value to anyone who isn’t already in love with the characters. Where most competent directors would have found out a way to make the material interesting for both fan and non-fan bases but they did not and chose to go with smothering the fan-girls with what they want, i.e., more Edward and Bella action and a little bit of Jacob without his shirt and simply glossed over some of the interesting characters with only glances here and there.

The film looks cheap with bland CGI werewolves and vampire effects – and for a series that is raking in plenty of money with each release, it’s surprising to see such flat visuals at this point. Similarly, despite a stable of up-and-coming actors that includes Stewart, Pattinson and Lautner, as well as critical darlings like Anna Kendrick and Michael Sheen, none of the actors are given any room to deliver a stand-out performance. It’s unfortunate, because despite all the anti-Twilight detractors out there, the franchise leads have shown that they’re capable of offering strong performances when a director attempts to get something more interesting out of them (Stewart in Welcome to the Rileys and Pattinson in Water for Elephants). In that sense, it’s disappointing to see that capable performers and intriguing premises haven’t matured the Twilight series from film to film.

Die-hard fans of the book and movie series will no doubt enjoy watching the film – though, it’s still hard to imagine that they won’t, deep down, find a few of the book’s more decisive moments to be overly cheesy, or even downright laughable. Breaking Dawn – Part 1 is not a competent piece of filmmaking and stands as potentially the worst installment in the series to be made out of the most controversial book of the series. 

Hopefully, given the much more intriguing plot points saved for Part 2, the final installment will end the series on a high note.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1

Top 10 movies on the 2011 waiting list

Vampires, werewolves, superheroes, pirates, aliens, the final chapter in the saga of everyone’s favorite boy wizard… and, oh, so much more! The 2011 box office forecast is booming with potential blockbusters.


Let's start from the back shall we:

#10 – “Super 8”
Starring: Elle Fanning, Kyle ChandlerDirected by: J.J. AbramsRelease date: Summer 2011

Why such excitement: A new sci-fi thriller from J.J. Abrams! Need we really say more i don't think so? OK, i’ll give you just a little bit. Written and directed by Abrams, the film follows a group of teens in the 1970s who capture footage of aliens in Area 51 while shooting on their – wait for it – Super 8 camera. And here you thought the film was about those low budget motels of the same name. The Air Force, the government and other various ominous suit-wearing types begin pursuit. Drama, explosions, suspense – and maybe even aliens – follow. Yes, please definitely on the list.

#9 – “Captain America”
Starring: Chris Evans, Hugo WeavingDirected by: Joe JohnstonRelease date: July 22, 2011

Why such excitement: For what will be Marvel’s final superhero installment leading up to 2012’s “The Avengers,” Chris Evans will don the stars and stripes as Steve Rogers/aka Captain America as he suits up for battle against the forces of evil in the WWII era-timed piece. Hugo Weaving (who, by the way, is it just my opinion, or was this guy born to play a movie villain?!?although a slight contradiction here; he played a positive role in LOTR) steps in as Nazi baddie Johann Schmidt/aka Red Skull, commander of HYDRA. While Evans previously joked to Access he’d be “the worst thing that ever happened to Marvel,” we have a feeling the man who once played the Fantastic Four’s Human Torch will do the red, white and blue proud.

                                                                  #8 – “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”
Starring: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Ian McShane, Geoffrey RushDirected by: Rob MarshallRelease date: May 20, 2011

Why such excitement: Captain Jack is back (what more do you need?)– this time, with some new faces. Out are Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley. In are Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane. There’s an argument to be made that if you’ve seen one “Pirates” film, you’ve seen them all. But with a combined gross of more than $2.6 billion at the worldwide box office, the Bruckheimer/Disney team is doing something right. 

#7 – The Fourth “Mission: Impossible”
Starring: Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, Josh HollowayDirected by: Brad BirdRelease date: December 16, 2011

Why such excitement: There’s an argument to be made that if you’ve seen one “Mission: Impossible” film… Wait, that’s already been used. Cruise is back as super-spy Ethan Hunt, and while many of the same faces return, joining the fray are newbies Jeremy Renner, Josh Holloway and Paula Patton, and according to some recent information Anil Kapoor of Slumdog Millionaire fame all of whom should inject some exciting new blood into the latest chapter. Brad Bird makes his directorial debut, which means J.J. Abrams is out as director, but sticks around as a producer/writer. Truth be told, if J.J. wasn’t still involved, the clock may have run out on this box office “Mission.” But when it comes down to it, say what you will about Cruise, the man makes one heck of a movie.

#6 – “Green Lantern”
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter SarsgaardDirected by: Martin CampbellRelease date: June 17, 2011

Why such excitement: Blake Lively. Blake Lively. Blake Lively. Blake Lively. Blake Lively. Blake Lively. Blake Lively. Blake Lively. Blake Lively. Blake Lively. Blake Lively. Blake Lively. Ryan Reynolds isn’t so bad either. Throw in a fanboy classic superhero tale and with these two beyond good lookin’ folks as the leads, look for the box office to definitely go “Green” in Summer 2011. Plus, who doesn’t love to say “Saaaaaaaaarsgaaaaaaard”?! Exactly.

#5 – “Thor”

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman

Directed by: Kenneth BranaghRelease date: May 6, 2011

Why such excitement: Yet another prequel cog in Marvel’s mighty “The Avengers” machine, easy-on-the-eyes Aussie actor Chris Hemsworth steps into the iconic Norse mythological title character comic book role. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, the film will follow Thor as he is cast down to earth for being an arrogant fighter, only to find himself battling the dark forces of Asgard and becoming a hero to the humans. Throw in the lovely Natalie Portman as Thor’s lady love Jane Foster, Anthony Hopkins as daddy Odin — oh, and did we mention Thor’s mighty hammer Mjolnir? What can we say, we’re a sucker for a good power tool!

#4 – “The Hangover 2”
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin BarthaDirected by: Todd PhillipsRelease Date: May 26, 2011

Why such excitement: Details are being kept under wraps for the sequel to the side-splitting original — which has forever put to shame every groom-to-be’s bachelor party past, present and future – but as long as those four funny guys are sticking around, so are we! And hey, if they want to bring back Mike Tyson too for another musical interlude, we’re not complaining. Call it comedic masochism if you will, but we’re ready to feel the burn of another “Hangover”!

#3 – “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”

Starring: Rooney Mara, Daniel Crag, Christopher PlummerDirected by: David FincherRelease date: December 21, 2011

Why such excitement: Call it faith i saw the novel of this movie yesterday at a bookshop while browsing though the fiction section for a good novel for a college assignment. Well rising star Rooney Mara has scored one of the most talked-about roles in recent memory, nabbing the part of edgy hacker Lisbeth Salander in the U.S. big screen adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s literary set, The Millennium Trilogy. There has already been a Swedish film version of the trilogy. And, watch out soon for the announcement of a fourth book in the series. In the story, Mara and Daniel Craig (who will bring Mikael Blomkvist to life for American audiences) cross paths as they search for the missing niece of an ailing industrial tycoon. As the first installment in the series, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” sets the table for the drama and suspense to come throughout the much-buzzed about trilogy, the latter two parts of which will be rolled out in 2012.

#2 – “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part I”

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor LautnerDirected by: Bill CondonRelease date: November 18, 2011

Why such excitement: Why aren’t we excited is the better question. What better way to kick off the beginning of the end of “The Twilight Saga” then with a little vampire-human wedding & honeymoon action! Plus, we all know what happens on the honeymoon, right???… Room service! No? Hmm. OK, how ‘bout this — “There will be sex scenes – multiple sex scenes,” screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg previously told Access Hollywood of the romance we’ll see between Edward and Bella. Hey now! Summit has yet to announce exactly where the “Breaking Dawn” storyline will be split, but Part I will begin to put the bow on this pop culture-transcending saga, which has turned vampires and werewolves from cheap Halloween decorations to every kid’s favorite supernatural bestie. Whether you’re Team Edward or Team Jacob or even Team Whatever Happened To That Nice Rachelle LeFevere, grab your lawn chairs and get in line – there’s only 14 months until opening night – knowing the “Twi-Hards,” the good seats are probably already taken!

#1 – “Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Part II”

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes, Bill NighyDirected by: David YatesRelease date: July 15, 2011

Why such excitement: It takes quite a monumental occasion to bump anything “Twilight” from the top of any of our lists, but the final film in the saga of boy wizard Harry Potter is exactly that. With a $5.4 billion haul in its run at the box office (the highest grossing film series of all-time), the Harry Potter films have spanned an entire decade, capturing the imagination of pre-teen boys who can now legally buy booze and little girls who are already old enough to vote in the next election. Even the films’ stars themselves have gone from teenyboppers to twenty-somethings. A pretty impressive run to say the least. Once again, a story which has been cut into two parts – allowing for more excitement and, of course, more cash at the box office, the final chapter of “Deathly Hallows” sees our spellbinding wand-slingers engage in one last battle with the evil Lord Voldemort before Hogwarts’ prized pupils say goodbye to their beloved boarding school as students one last time – at least, those of them that make it through the “Deathly Hallows” alive.

Top 10 movies on the 2011 waiting list

Breaking Dawn Vampire Covens Cast Revealed

Breaking Dawn Vampire Covens Cast Revealed