Twighlight+Review

//New Moon// falls short By Natalie Copy Editor

At midnight on Friday, November 20, hundreds of screaming fans nationwide filled theatre seats to catch the first glimpse of the highly anticipated film, //New Moon//. Part of the Twilight Saga, //New Moon// (the second book out of four in the series) first appeared in print and was written by Stephenie Meyer. Through both the book and the film, //New Moon//, Meyer continues the storyline of the romance between a human, Bella Swan (played by Kristen Stewart), and the mysterious vampire, Edward Cullen (played by Robert Pattinson). However, in New Moon, Bella’s loyal friend with boy-next-door charm, Jacob Black (played by Taylor Lautner), is highlighted when he begins to fall in love with Bella. This occurred after Edward leaves, for he wants to protect Bella and allow her to live a normal, human lifestyle. While Edward is gone, Jacob and Bella’s friendship blooms, because Bella learns that Jacob becomes a werewolf. However Jacob becomes more passionate for Bella, while she only hopes to remain friends. Also, the dark coven of Italian vampires, the Volturi, seizes the opportunity to meet Bella and form a deal with the Cullens. In order to save Edward from being destroyed and because she knows the vampires’ secrets, Bella must be transformed into a vampire. The storyline Meyer sets up is executed brilliantly in the film by the new director, Chris Weitz. However, some aspects of the film fall short. Rather than capturing the loss Edward was to Bella, there were too many long, dramatic pauses and an overly tacky dialogue. Instead of acting out the characters inner emotions, actors were dry in their delivery. The animation and special effects from transitioning Jacob and the tribe into werewolves, as well as the passing of time, was well done, yet there was a lack of camera angles. Instead, the movie seemed more of a play, where the audience only sees the front of a stage rather then being pulled into the film. Although ending the movie on a cliffhanger was well thought out, it was really no surprise, for most audience members, being captivated with the book, foresaw Edward asking Bella to marry him. Despite the Twilight mania that seems to be sweeping the nation, “Team Edward” and “Team Jacob” fans may have to reconsider when watching the film, since the acting does not fully do justice for the book series.