Eclipse (2010)

Review by Mari Lynne Rupp



Let me start by saying the Twilight trilogy will never be my favorite. I am staunchly against sparkly vampires as principle and Stephenie Meyer's writing isn't exactly even Laurell K. Hamilton grade. That being said, in protest against the recent slew of Hollywood remakes/reimaginings of my beloved horror films ("Nightmare on Elm Street" and "Fright Night" to name just a few) I lined up for the most recent offering in the series---"Eclipse"

With Kirsten Stewart and Robert Pattinson returning as Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, the premise being Bella Swan is trying to convince Edward her choice to become a vampire is the only viable choice to get the sinister Volturi (Vampire "royalty", or as I called them, "the plastics" with fangs) off their case and in the midst of this emotional sounding off and lustful angst, a gang of renegade "newborn" vamps are threatening nearby Seattle, putting the Cullen clan in danger and bringing attention to the existence of vampires everywhere. Where would this story be without a twist?? Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner ~waits for fangirl squees to die down~) proclaims his devotion to the now-engaged Bella (sporting a truly horrid antique ring which I feel badly for critiquing, as it belonged to the late "Mrs Cullen") and puts a tailspin on the newly budding couple by kissing Bella at the very climax of the film.

It turns out that vengeful Victoria, former mate of James, the vampire killed at the end of the first Twilight, had been at the center of the newborn gang, hellbent at getting back at Edward through Bella. Played actually decently by Bryce Dallas Howard, and with Dakota Fanning as the cold-hearted, sadistic Jane, this film shows us Stephenie Meyer possibly was paying attention in her vampire studyings after all....The female vampires are quite possibly the nastiest.

Directed by David Slade (30 Days of Night) it was actually bearable. The filmography is actually better, having gotten rid of the horrid blue filter that gave me a headache during the first Twilight movie, and the script is so greatly improved that despite a midnight showing on a workday, I actually didn't fall asleep. (this could be contributed also to the fact that my friend and I threw "Jazz hands" everytime we saw a vampire sparkle. Kept it interesting) In addition, this version downplays the more controlling, abusive aspects of Edward's character and focuses more on why Bella believes her choice makes sense. My conviction held when, after the climax, Bella stands up to Edward and gives a moving monologue on her true reasons for choosing to join the Cullen family. Unfortunately, this had to happen by the writer Melissa Rosenberg, kinda showing up ol' S'meyer. Oh well. Whatever packs 'em in.

After giving this film a seven out of ten ( I told you, this will never be my favorite series, but I AM being fair) I'm kind of looking forward to the two "Breaking Dawn" movies. Apparently Bill Condon is at the helm for director and with gems such as "Candyman" and "Gods and Monsters" under his belt, this WILL be interesting! 7/10