The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Ashley Greene, Anna Kendrick
Directed by: Chris Weitz
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama, Romance, Fantasy
2009

Times Seen:
Tim: 2

Summary: Bella (Kristen Stewart) is devastated when Edward (Robert Pattinson) decides it is too risky for her with him around. He abruptly abandons her, leaving her crushed. She finally starts to feel alive again with a budding friendship with Jacob (Taylor Lautner), but new secrets and old foes threaten to disrupt her life once again.

Review:

Tim: I thought after surprisingly not hating Twilight, I would at least be able to heavily criticize the first sequel. However, once again I am shocked. I did not love this movie, but I actually liked it. In fact, I think it is every bit as good as the original. This film is quite different, but in some good ways. Robert Pattinson is missing for most of the movie, and I have to say, I didn't miss him. This gave Taylor Lautner a chance to shine, in a star-making turn. I hate to even mention the ridiculous Team Edward and Team Jacob, but if I had to choose, I'm definitely Team Jacob.

I loved that this movie switched things up, sending Edward away from the main action. This gave Taylor Lautner and the character of Jacob a chance to emerge as a player in this franchise. I was very, very impressed with Lautner's performance. After being only an afterthought in the first film, I was shocked to see how important he was here, and how well he worked in the role. He gives a charming, convincing, enjoyable performance. He won me over, and easily became my favorite actor of this series.

The rest of the cast is fine. Kristen Stewart gets criticized sometimes, but I thought she did a good job here. I am not one that heaps blame on her or her acting. I thought she worked well as Bella, and although she didn't really advance or grow in the role, she at least did not get worse. As I felt like in the first film, I suppose Robert Pattinson was fine. He was a little less brooding and dark here (although not much). I don't love him or his acting, but I think it works well enough here. He and Stewart obviously have some good on screen chemistry, which helps.

I liked the supporting cast as well. Peter Facinelli does a fairly good job. Once again, I loved Billy Burke as Bella's father. I am not sure what it is about his performance, but I just love every second of his screen time. He makes the movie better. I liked the introduction of Michael Sheen, even if he looked a bit silly. He is a great actor, and helps the film. The same can be said for Dakota Fanning. I would not have expected her to work, but I think she was the right actress for the role.

It feels like most people either love or hate these movies. There is obviously a borderline unhealthy obsession with these books/movies, and there seems to be a major group of haters as well. I understand all the criticisms leveled at this film. It is pretty absurd that two people would be so overwhelmingly in love with a seemingly ordinary girl, for no apparent reason, that they go to the lengths described here. This is obviously a female fantasy film. However, I can look past this. I also understand some of the negativity around the wolfpack (why do they walk around shirtless? Doesn't it draw attention to them?) Again, this doesn't bother me much. I can be somewhat forgiving because I like how this film progressed the mythology of this film. For some reason, I enjoy the story of vampires and werewolves coexisting in this small Oregon town. It is a different take on this age-old story, and I can appreciate that.

This is not to say I am a Twilight fan. The movie definitely has too many drawn out scenes of people looking passionately at each other. There's not enough action. There are some pretty big logic and plot holes, which hurts the movie. However, Chris Weitz ensures the flaws are minimal. It is pretty exciting to see the werewolves emerge, and anytime there is a werewolf v. vampire battle, I'm intrigued.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon is flawed, but I still found myself enjoying the movie. It is not often that I like movies I intellectually don't think I should, but it is the case here. I understand the hatred, but I don't share it. This is a good movie.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Twilight, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse