There are no spoilers in this post. If you want spoilers, read somebody meaner.
A bit of history for new followers:
Old followers, please bear with me: you’ve read enough about KStew’s and RPatz’s hair here to know that if a superhero needs to kill me, Twilight is my weakness.
I don’t like vampires or vampire movies. I refused to watch the Twilight films when they came out. The Hub liked them, enough that our boys had great fun offering to buy him Robert Pattinson posters and bobby socks (something teenage girls wore in the Fifties and with no link to the films, but the boys didn’t seem to care).
Last Christmas, I bought him the Twilight films trilogy box set. He insisted I try to watch the first one with him, further insisting that they were neither scary nor gory. He was right. After the first one I insisted he was horrible for not insisting that I watch these films the minute they came out and I had to have the books immediately or he was going to suffer a long and terrible moan on my part.
I’m not ashamed to admit I loved the films and devoured the books. I didn’t get to see Breaking Dawn Part 1 in the cinema, even though it was showing last Christmas. You can read all about how that nearly killed our marriage and what the Hub had to do to save it here.
I was a little disappointed in Part 1 because I read the book before seeing the film and I didn’t like the changes that were made, though I understood why they were necessary.
I read the first three books after seeing the films and was pleased that they more or less stuck to the story. I liked Part 1 better on second, third, eighth viewing, so I expected to feel the same way about Part 2.
The Review:
I really enjoyed it. Some changes were made from the original story but it did stick to the spirit of the book. The main change in particular caught me by surprise and, while I mourned the loss of an element I love in the novel, I believe the change worked really well, and was necessary for the film to work for a wider audience.
As with the other films, a lot of detail had to be omitted but there was enough to satisfy this – alas, I cannot deny it – Twihard.
The Hub thought it was the best one of the series. I wouldn’t go that far (Twilight will always my favourite film; Breaking Dawn is my favourite book) but as I didn’t need to fill up on any of the snacks I had sneaked into the cinema in my handbag, I acknowledge that it kept me gripped throughout.
Everyone is gorgeous. The Hub thought young Renesmee was funny-looking (quote-that’s the ugliest kid I’ve ever seen-unquote) but I couldn’t take my eyes off Jasper’s peculiar hair long enough to notice – what was that all about?
The acting, as usual, was as usual (see here for my review of Kristen Stewart’s facial expressions) but good enough, and I enjoyed the nice touch in the end credits, where all of the main actors from the earlier films were acknowledged.
I would definitely watch it again.
But you knew that: I already have the DVD on order.
One more thing:
It cost us nothing to go: Tesco have an offer until the end of November – you can exchange your vouchers for cinema tickets at the rate of £3 in vouchers for one adult ticket. As the going rate for an adult cinema ticket before five p.m. is £7.60, it’s an excellent deal.
The film opened today and, as it was my first time going to the cinema on a film’s opening day, I think it counts as a new experience for my 101/1001 challenge. However, I was disappointed to find there was no red carpet. I felt a little overdressed in my floor length frock.
I didn’t care for the movies as much as the books, but I have to confess I’ve got a weakness for Twilight.
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I am embarrassed at how much I love them 🙂
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Did you hear the next Twilight movie is called Breaking Wind?
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Hehe 🙂
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Breaking Wind, that is funny. I think that Breaking Dawn was my favorite because it went beyond the love triangle and introduced the Amazon vampires and the others with their special quirks. The only question that still irritates me, is how do the male vampires have viable sperm? Female vampires don’t have living eggs. The logic isn’t there, not that being a vampire is logical but still. You deserved a red carpet at the opening. 🙂
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If you want logic, you’re in the wrong bookiverse 🙂
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I read Twilight, but didn’t feel a desperate urge to read the other books, so I haven’t. That might change, of course. I haven’t see the films – I don’t know why, but they just don’t appeal to me.
Your last line made me laugh, and painted an amusing picture in my head! 😀
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Thanks for the headsup – I will dip a toe in the water if the film comes over here.
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I wouldn’t bother if you haven’t seen the others because it’s the end of a whole saga.
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I haven’t seen the movies or read the books. I’m afraid I’m like you, I don’t like scary or gory so I have avoided them. Now after reading your post, I may have to try them.
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Be warned! They are scary in how badly they are written, but utterly addictive. 🙂
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I love vampires, but have only seen the first film in this series (I think – it was so long ago I may be mixing a couple together!) I may treat myself to the rest!
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The books are better.
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What fun … opening night in a floor length frock. They should have had a red carpet for you.
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Never thought I’d say this. But yes, I’m guilty of watching Twilight. And actually liking it quite a bit. Ahem. End of confession. Will wait for this one to hit the big screens here and me and the Man will be the sitting in a hall filled with young teens. Happy weekend! Sharon
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A brave confession 🙂
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Can’t wait to see.
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Okay – I’m convinced!
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You need to see the earlier ones first for it to make sense.
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Here’s where we’ll just have to differ. I read the first book and thought it was sappy. I went with my granddaughters and daughter to the second movie and was bored stupid. It’s just not my thing. It’s like the 50 Shades of Grey–I am bored to death by that book, can’t get through it, find it dumb. I’m probably the only woman in the world who feels this way about these books but there it is. Not my cup of tea.
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I’m with you on this one. I never wanted to read the books because I heard they were poorly written. After seeing the first two movies, I wouldn’t bother because there’s really no story, no character development and the acting was atrocious (I want to shoot Stewart in the foot to see if she has a reaction, any reaction). I’ll stick to the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series, which is what vampires and their killers should be about. Adventure, fights, and lots of humor.
As for Fifty Shades of Grey, I schemed through the first and can say exactly the same thing: poorly written, no action, no character development. Simply zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….
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