The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Anna Kendrick, Michael Welch, Ashley Greene, Jackson Rathborne, Taylor Lautner, Jamie Campbell Bower and Dakota Fanning.

Director: Chris Weitz

Release Date: 2009

Running Time: 2hrs 10 minutes

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 12

Format: DVD

Synopsis:

In the second instalment to the "Twilight" saga, Edward makes the strong choice that he must leave Bella in order to protect her. In the meantime, she seeks friendship from a werewolf, Jacob Black! 

The Twilight Saga: New Moon! One of the most anticipated films of 2009! Am I going to say that everytime? Yes. Let's face it, it was true. Based on the novel of the same name, by Stephanie Meyer. Edward makes the strong decision to disappear from Bella's life, when an attack nearly claims her life. Lost in her emotions, she turns to friend Jacob Black! Before long, Bella finds that Jacob is more then just a friend, he's a werewolf too! Were you Team Jacob or Team Edward? Was that even really a thing? My college years, were pretty embarrassing. Why is it, whenever a sequel is put into place, it's directed by someone new? Director Chris Weitz stands behind the camera this time, and if I am honest, this film is great in comparison to "Twilight", I honestly got the impression that director Catherine Hardwicke didn't really know what she was doing. Harsh? It's just my opinion. It'll appeal to teens for years to come and that's perfectly alright.

Is the storyline enjoyable? In comparison to the first? Yes. Much darker then the first film. We have a clearer insight into the world of vampires, they don't particularly like werewolves, but they're willing to get along with them. Bella has now officially been welcomed into the Cullen family, throwing her a birthday party. Although, things soon start to go wrong. Bella is meant to be somewhat emotionless to some degree, but I think Kristen Stewart really pushes it over the mark, to being downright boring, sadly it makes it appear like Stewart fails at delivering any characterisation at all. Stewart's performance doesn't feel real, it feels as though she has to force her lines out. Robert Pattinson's performance however was actually very good, he's intense and the persona that comes from his characterisation works well, given that he is distancing himself away from Bella.

This is the film where we are properly introduced to Jacob Black, played by Taylor Lautner. Bella finds herself torn between Jacob and Edward. Lautner's performance is actually very good, he makes a good werewolf. Is Bella better suited to Jacob? Personally? Yes. For the most part, the story evolves around the both of them. You don't see a great deal of Edward until the second chapter of the movie, then it starts to get really interesting! We're introduced to Caius, Jane and Aro, Aro played remarkably by Michael Sheen, a fantastic character actor, one of my favourite actors actually. His performance is incredible, he's dark, sinister and mysterious. He works beautifully with Dakota Fanning who plays Jane. Fanning has come very far since her "Cat in the Hat" days, she's really starting to prove herself as an actress. She's excellent as Jane. I really love where her character goes, as the films progress.

How are the special effects compared to the first? Sadly, not a lot better. Unfortunately a few scenes still look rather messy. The score doesn't do a lot for the movie, however I do like that Weitz chose a more contemporary soundtrack this time. It works really well for a couple of scenes and works well with the storyline. Cinematographer Javier Aguirresarobe has done a good job, perhaps he learnt from the first film, that a grey tint covering the film really doesn't work. Chris Weitz manages to make the film dark, without pushing it overboard. It's a really good balance. I'm not the biggest "Twilight" fan as you may have worked out. I did however enjoy this one a lot more in comparison to the first, and I really think the films get better from here on wards. It's just a shame they don't start off as exciting.

4/5 stars