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The TWILIGHT Saga: NEW MOON

With Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene, Billy Burke, Rachelle Lefevre, Peter Facinelli, Nikki Reed, Kellan Lutz, Jackson Rathbone, Michael Sheen, Dakota Fanning, Anna Kendrick, Michael Welch

Written by Melissa Rosenberg (based on the novel by Stephenie Meyer)
Directed Chris Weitz

With the first chapter delving into teen-angst of falling in love (with a dangerous creature), the second installment deals with the break-up and the rebound (with a creature of a different shape).
Bella wants to become a vampire, but her integration into the Cullen clan comes to an abrupt halt when Edward announces they have to leave and that Bella should forget about him. This is done to protect her, but the surviving vamp Victoria (whose man was offed in the first chapter) is still after her blood. Edward's departure leaves her moping even more than before, although Kristen Stewart's dead-pan acting hardly reflects that.
Bella finds solace with Jacob after a long period of mourning. This rebound takes the shape of the two fixing up a pair of motorcycles. The reason for this is that Bella discovered when she attempts something dangerous, Edward appears in an apparition to caution her. So, she becomes somewhat of an adrenalin junkie, but soon discovers that Jacob is part of a wolf lineage protecting the area from vampires, hence his dislike for the Cullens.
While Jacob obviously has the hots for her, she only wants to be friends - tell that to a 16-year old guy who literally has a beast inside of him, dwarfing the pre-adult issues.
Trapped in the middle, she gets even more teenage hormonal confusion heaped on her, her longing for Edward reaching breaking point.
“The Twilight Saga” sounds a bit like a soap opera (which many would accuse it of being), kind of like “The Ewing Saga” in a Dallas context. Many also fear that this franchise will harm the dark and dangerous reputation vampires held over the centuries, with sweet romance becoming its main aim as opposed to indiscriminate blood sucking > can this be a moral metaphor for the growing dangers of promiscuity and that monogamy is the answer, even with someone not like you?
Twilight has been accused of being sappy school-girl pulp, but then, what's wrong with that? - as there are plenty other more intense movies to choose from if this is not your cup of blood.
Whichever way you lean when it comes to this series, no-one can stop this runaway train. The rabid fans have come out in droves with global weekend box office #1's all over the globe. In South Africa New Moon has broken all pre-booking records.

3 / B
- Paul Blom


0 1 2 3 4 5 6
- A - B
- C


...the 2nd opinion...

The TWILIGHT Saga: NEW MOON

Based on the novels of Stephenie Meyer, and directed by Chris Weitz, New Moon takes off from where Twilight ends, with Bella and Edward still very much in love.
It is Bella’s 18th birthday and she is becoming increasingly anxious about growing older while Edward stays the same. A paper cut sets off a violent reaction at the Cullen home when Bella opens a birthday present and Jasper loses control - this results in a big confrontation with Edward having to restrain Jasper.
A confused and perplexed Edward ends his relationship with Bella in an effort to protect her.  Bella finds comfort in the company of Jacob, but the relationship soon changes as Jacob starts to turn with the New Moon and becomes a member of a pack of werewolves guarding the area against vampires.
Shot in Vancouver, the aesthetic of New Moon is as beautiful as Twilight but the plot becomes predictable and clichéd.  The reveal of Jacob’s transformation into a werewolf is not strong and falls flat. The introduction of the Volturi seems promising in the beginning but loses steam halfway through the scene when Jane (Dakota Fanning) starts wielding her powers. A highlight is the Volturi scenes shot in Montepulciano, Italy and a great performance by Michael Sheen as Aro, the leader of the Volturi.
The movie is plagued by the same problems most sequels encounter in that it is slow and needs to line up story elements for the later chapters.
Aimed at a teen crowd, New Moon is sure to be a hit, while older viewers might lose interest - but, most will be back for the next installment.

3 / C
- Sonja Ruppersberg


0 1 2 3 4 5 6
- A - B
- C


Click below for the first Twilight and the motion picture soundtracks






never let a review decide for you, but for those who need a rating, see the Flamedrop scale below
6 - Volcanic
5 - Blistering
4 - Hot
3 - Smolder
2 - Room Temperature
1 - Fizzled
0 - Extinguished

A: Multi-Viewing Potential

B: Could Enjoy A 2nd Look

C: Once Should Suffice



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