Director David Slade and Summit Entertainment have given fans the third installment of the vampire-shape shifting world created by author Stephanie Meyers in “Eclipse.”
This film continues the story of Bella (Kristin Stewart) in her final year of high school. Edward (Robert Pattinson) has returned and now Bella must face the choice between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob (Taylor Lautner).
But that is not all – unexplained murders are taking place as a new army of vampires arise and the vengeful Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard) returns. Being watched by the Volturi led by Jane (Dakota Fanning), the vampires and werewolves come together in an attempt to rid themselves of the newborn vampires.
The Cullens, Dr. Carlisle Cullen (Peter Facinellli), Esme (Elizabeth Reaser), Jasper (Jackson Rathbone), Alice (Ashley Green) and Emmet (Kellen Lutz) must call upon Jacob’s tribe in an intense truce to do what must be done.
But now it is time for Bella to choose between Jacob and Edward. Her choice will change everything.
Final word: Pattinson seems to have grown into his vampyric role of Edward. It has gone from pure teen angst to a well-done portrayal. He has grown up quite a bit since his days as Cedric Diggory in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” His most recent role in the film “Remember Me” is actually very good.
Stewart as well seems to have grown more comfortable with her role as Bella. It is almost as if she, too, has calmed down a little and it shows. This film brings Steward and Fanning back since appearing in the film “The Runaways” together earlier this year.
Lautner in his role as the constantly shirtless Jacob – can you hear the screams – actually had a nice repartee with Pattinson in this film. After fighting to keep the role of Jacob, Lautner has proven over and over again that he has the ability to play this role. No one could convince fans otherwise as well.
The nice standout performance here goes to Jackson Rathbone as Jasper. Its taken two films for Rathbone to actually speak more than two sentences. In this film he stands tall and sharp and is quite impressive. It will be interesting to see how he handles himself, especially with the release of two movies a day apart as he has the role of Sooka in “The Last Airbender.”
It was in December 2008 that audiences were introduced to the films with the opening of “Twilight” and it didn’t take long for word to spread. The books by author Stephanie Meyers became overnight sensations and it became clear the films would as well.
Almost a year later in November 2009, fans flocked to theaters to see their beloved books come to screen as “New Moon” opened to record audiences. It also saw the release of another book by Meyers entitled “The Host” that wasted no time in selling out.
If fans didn’t already know, and I’d be hard pressed to find one that didn’t, the finale of the Twilight saga, “Breaking Dawn,” will be split into two films leaving fans with reason to celebrate.
Other cast members include Xavier Samuel as Riley, Billy Burke as Charlie Swan, Anna Kendrick as Jessica, Michael Welch as Mike, and Christian Serratos as Angela.
Tubs of popcorn: I give “Eclipse” three tubs of popcorn out of five. The film has its usual Twilight flaws but nothing that the audience won’t be more than thrilled to forgive. The story flows along and doesn’t lag in the two-and-a-half hour running time.
It will do well, fans will be happy and the gears are already going in anticipation of the finale due out in two parts starting in 2011.
