As someone who grew up during the Twilight era, I can say that revisiting these movies now, over a decade later, is a fascinating journey down memory lane. Like many others, I was captivated by this saga and its characters, even though I admit the first and final entries are the only truly “good” ones (if we’re being honest, Breaking Dawn – Part One was a disaster!). It’s hard not to feel a sense of nostalgia as I watch these movies, knowing that they were a significant part of our youth.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part One began with monotonous wedding preparations.
As a gamer, I dive back into the captivating world of Twilight with The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part Two. In this exhilarating chapter, it’s me, Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), transformed into a vampire, grappling with an uncontrollable hunger for blood. This insatiable craving sends me tearing through the forest at breakneck speed, narrowly missing a daredevil climber scaling a mountain, and ultimately, I find myself in a fierce confrontation with a mountain lion – my dinner for the night.
As a gamer immersed in the Twilight saga, I’ve just sprinted across with my freshly-discovered vampire abilities. Now, it’s crucial to keep an eye on Renesmee, my unique half-vampire, half-human kiddo (played by Mackenzie Foy). The troublesome vampire Irina (Maggie Grace) eventually spots Renesmee and misconstrues her as a forbidden “immortal child,” perceived as a threat to the vampire realm. She rats this out to the ominous Voltouri, which makes their leader, Aro (Michael Sheen), grin ear to ear, eager for a chance to confront the Cullens. So now, it’s up to me, Edward (Robert Pattinson), and the entire Cullen clan to gather vampires from around the globe. These spectral beings will serve as witnesses when we face off against the Voltouri in this upcoming showdown.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but notice the similarities between “Breaking Dawn – Part Two” and its predecessor, where one book has been skillfully transformed into two movies. The screen is filled with a myriad of vampires, such as the charming trio of Irish vampire cousins, who, despite their extensive appearances, seem to contribute little to the main narrative.
As I delve into the intricate world of Twilight, I find myself grappling with some rather uncomfortable scenes involving Jacob and Renesmee. To put it simply, it appears that Jacob will eventually be romantically involved with Renesmee, which feels as awkward as it sounds. It seems that Stephenie Meyer devised this plot point as a sort of consolation for Jacob in the Bella-Edward-Jacob love triangle, to let Team Jacob know that he doesn’t entirely lose out – he still gets a romantic interest!
This tremendously unsettling plotline was her solution to that problem. There’s just no getting around how terribly conceived this storyline is, especially since the movie ends with a disturbing “joke” where Jacob tells Edward “Should I start calling you dad?” Breaking Dawn- Part Two, you’re only making the problem worse. This egregious facet of the storytelling reinforces that Jacob Black has been the worst part of this entire saga. From Taylor Lautner’s dismal performance to the character’s insufferable demeanor, everything about Jacob is terrible. This creepy storyline is just the poisoned cherry on top of the repulsive character sundae that is Jacob Black.
In a more optimistic light, certain elements of “Breaking Dawn – Part Two” once again make the Twilight series suitable for teenage daydreams. The first part, “Breaking Dawn,” made the Mormon undertones quite overt, making it a film that parents might enjoy vicariously. However, the younger audience, which is the main demographic of the franchise, was somewhat excluded. In contrast, “Breaking Dawn – Part Two” includes scenes that bring the story back to captivate this younger crowd. For instance, Bella receiving a stunning, isolated cottage as a family birthday gift perfectly represents this return. Imagining spending your days with an attractive vampire in a forest retreat is the kind of fantasy a 14-year-old girl might write about on Tumblr at 2:15 AM. This is exactly the feeling and audience that Twilight should always aim to evoke.
As a gamer, I’d say the sequel of Breaking Dawn, being smart, beefs up its playtime with a hilariously over-the-top bunch of vampire characters, like Lee Pace playing an Anglophobic one. The first part got a bit carried away with the dull werewolf business that didn’t sit well with fans. This second installment, on the other hand, brings the fun factor with fresh faces such as a couple of Russian vampires who are like the wild cards among the Cullen family. It’s quite amusing, in an unintentional way, how Bella and Edward having a child takes a back seat in the storyline. Renesmee mostly serves as a plot device without much personality. Bella and Edward don’t seem to grow much in their roles as parents. Unfortunately, this potential game-changer for the series doesn’t make much of an impact!
Discussing Renesmee, the choice to present her as a computer-generated character will forever give me nightmares. Instead of capturing a wide range of shots, director Condon kept the camera fixated on this digitally created child’s unnatural face. Complementing these scenes was Carter Burwell’s emotional score, intended to draw the audience into this young character…but she appeared so detached from reality! Despite the obvious dedication and effort poured into the visual effects, Renesmee stands as a testament to the limitations of CG effects work in creating a convincing digital human baby. What makes this even more perplexing is that they could have easily used real children to depict Renesmee at various ages. It’s hard to understand why Breaking Dawn – Part Two chose to wound itself by insisting on this subpar CG baby representation.
Despite its flaw, this film offers a surprisingly humorous touch throughout “Breaking Dawn – Part Two”. Numerous emotional scenes revolve around a CG child character that seems reminiscent of a Robert Zemeckis motion-capture production. Remarkably, no character in the movie ever comments on or jokes about Renesmee’s peculiar appearance. Instead, an eerie CG baby intrudes upon traditional cinematic drama, creating an unsettling contrast. This artistic imperfection becomes incredibly engaging due to the deep commitment of most actors on-screen. The over-the-top elements in “Breaking Dawn – Part Two” become even more captivating thanks to stars like Stewart and Pattinson, who never let go of this peculiar material that launched their careers, even during the climax.
Apart from mysteriously taking on a significant role, Michael Sheen is cast as the primary antagonist. Compared to his screen time in previous Twilight films, Sheen’s character Aro stands out as an amusing spectacle every time he appears. At one instance, he lets out a spirited cackle that strongly recalls Tim Curry’s essence, which is the ultimate praise for a villain in a blockbuster movie. His performance sets the stage for a finale that spirals into an entertainingly chaotic turn, featuring an over-the-top fake-out fight scene. It’s later revealed that this battle was merely a vision created by Alice, and for about 10 minutes or so, a war between our heroes and the Voltouri unfolds in a frosty backdrop that is both delightfully gory and gruesome.
In popular culture, Twilight is frequently grouped with Polly Pocket and Strawberry Shortcake as light entertainment for young girls. However, this categorization doesn’t fully capture the unexpected intensity of Breaking Dawn – Part Two’s conclusion. The violent vampire encounters from Eclipse are amplified significantly, with werewolves biting off enemies’ heads and even the Volturi announcing “Finally!” as they themselves are viciously killed. Instead of behaving like Nicholas Sparks’ typical protagonists, Bella and Edward exhibit more akin to John Wick’s actions. Rami Malek’s character as a vampire even demonstrates control over the elements, causing the Earth to split open, revealing a battlefield engulfed by magma.
As a devoted fan, I must say the chaos in Rosenberg’s screenplay is exhilaratingly delightful! It’s like a dream sequence where there are no consequences, swinging wildly from the tranquil wedding scene in Part One to the gripping clash between good and evil. The whole final Twilight movie is packed with a thrilling dose of violence that makes every moment a blast. Bella taking Jacob down after discovering he imprinted on her daughter? Pure entertainment! And let’s not forget Edward’s gleeful approval during that encounter – “that’s my girl!” moments like those add an extra layer of excitement. Honestly, the sheer carnage in Breaking Dawn – Part Two gives it a sharper edge than its predecessors. The contrast between mushy romance and Lee Pace brutally slaying a random British musician in an alleyway? That’s a combination I can’t get enough of!
As a devoted fan, I must admit that “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part Two” shares many flaws with its predecessors, often falling short of the campy fun it could have delivered. Despite these shortcomings, an unusual sensation washed over me during the closing moments of “Breaking Dawn”. The final scene of this series (the tranquil conversation between Edward and Bella amidst the flower field from “Eclipse”) takes a meta turn as “Breaking Dawn” portrays Bella and Edward existing within a book, much like Winnie the Pooh and Friends. This delightful detail seamlessly transitions into the opening section of the end credits, where each principal actor’s name appears alongside footage of their characters from the Twilight Saga.
Regardless of whether you appeared in ‘Breaking Dawn – Part Two’, everyone from Edi Gathegi of ‘Twilight’ to Bryce Dallas Howard of ‘Eclipse’ is included here. As Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years” plays, the entire cast of ‘The Twilight Saga’ is honored for their roles in making these unique films possible. It wasn’t until I realized the extent of this montage that I started to tear up. It was a bit absurd, I only truly enjoyed two out of the five ‘Twilight’ movies! Yet, I had no intention of watching them again!
In my solitary apartment, I found myself shedding tears as Perri sang poignantly, “time has brought your heart to me,” and Charlie Bewley’s name appeared on the screen. It could have been the emotional resonance of Perri’s voice, or it might have been the melancholic mood that day. But I also believe it was the genuine portrayal of this scene that touched me deeply. Here, there are no humorous comments or self-deprecating remarks about the Twilight craze. Instead, it feels like a heartfelt farewell to a series that has moved so many people. This emotional send-off is delivered without any hint of irony, focusing solely on the sincere admiration for the actors who ruled these films. How could one not be moved by such sentiment?
12 years down the line, revisiting the credits of Breaking Dawn – Part Two feels like stepping into a nostalgic time machine. Back then, on the set of Eclipse, who would’ve thought Bryce Dallas Howard, now a talented director, or Rami Malek, an Oscar winner today, would be where they are now? And could we have foreseen Robert Pattinson delivering those profound lines from The Lighthouse way back in 2011? It’s mind-blowing to think about the incredible journeys these actors have embarked on since our Twilight days.
As a gamer, in 2024, revisiting the credits of Twilight feels like flipping through an old family photo album from another era. Coming from a world post-Good Time and Certain Women, watching Breaking Dawn – Part Two’s closing credits became a poignant toast to a specific phase in the journey of many artists. The genuine execution, coupled with thoughtful touches such as quoting Meyer’s novels directly for the three main actors during the saga’s credits, made it less surprising that this final chapter brought me to tears.
Reflecting on it now, more than a decade since the peak of their cultural influence, the Twilight movies seem peculiar. Only the initial and concluding films can truly be considered “quality”. However, both these installments have their limitations, stemming from the franchise’s questionable undertones and the source material’s messy storytelling. Yet, it’s understandable why so many moviegoers became invested in this series. Not everything we encounter during our formative years is infallible. The art that resonates with us during childhood or adolescence isn’t always flawless. Often, whatever we’re exposed to early on becomes the music, movies, and books of our lives. It’s somewhat a matter of chance. As Annette Bening’s character in 20th Century Women puts it, influential art from our youth “may just be the art that showed up”, not necessarily the best art out there.
The absolute worst mid-2000s country songs molded my childhood. So too did the exploits of Bella and Edward inform so many people’s teenage years. Just as I can still tap my toes to Brad Paisley’s “Online” while recognizing this genre’s grave imperfections, I can understand how so many have sincere and loving affection for this weirdo saga. It’s especially easy to grasp that appreciation given the dearth of long-form romantic drama sagas since Twilight ended. It’s easy for fondness to brew for these titles given that Twilight pastiches no longer dominate theaters, especially after one-off 2013 flops like The Host or Beautiful Creatures. We must all make peace with the past or else it will consume us. That’s a bit easier to do when grappling with The Twilight Saga, which does have its virtues.
Regardless of how terrible the first part of the “Breaking Dawn” movie was (and believe me, it was dreadful!), I’m relieved to have completed “The Twilight Saga”. The fact that the final sounds for this series were Christina Perri and Green Day songs seems fittingly symbolic of 2012 and the “Twilight” craze. It’s an ending that fits perfectly with how I envisioned this series concluding in the course of human history. To put it simply, going through this entire saga has taught me something surprising: adrenaline rushes can indeed stop moving vans. Yes, I verified it online – Edward was absolutely right about it being a scientific phenomenon!
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-08-20 19:15