fledgling blogger

Eclipse is the third part of the Twilight film series based on the best selling book of the same name by the acclaimed novelist Stephenie Meyer. The movie is for those who adore a love triangle story between a vampire guy, a pretty human lady and a young man descending from a  spirit warrior clan that shape shifts into a wolf. This is surely a hit among teens but if you are the type who likes this kind of genre then I’d say your age wouldn’t matter so go for it!

Last year I reviewed the second installment of the franchise, The Twilight Saga- New Moon. Having said that, I simply want you to know that it has been my goal to continue what I’ve started which basically answers the question why you are now reading my critique on Eclipse. Just a warning this is quite a long post so if you feel like  going to stop reading, I suggest you divide your time into two portions so not to miss this review. Thanks a lot for bearing with me!

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Synopsis (contains spoilers):

Riley Biers (Xavier Samuel) was attacked by an unknown creature one rainy evening in the streets of Seattle when he was on his way home. He was left with a wound on his hand from a bite.

In their favorite place to hang out in a peaceful meadow, vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) proposed to a normal lady Isabella Swan (Kristen Stewart) to marry him. But she told him to change her first (into like them) so she could marry him. Edward said that he would only change her once they are married.

Mysterious killings and disappearances in Seattle dominated the news.  When Bella arrived home at exactly 4 PM as agreed, her father Charlie (Billy Burke) questioned  her relationship with Edward. She defended her love for the vampire as he is a part of her life. They came to an agreement that Charlie would only allow her daughter to see Edward if she will also meet with her other friends especially Jacob (Taylor Lautner) who was having a very tough time.

As their graduation day swiftly approaching, Bella should get to see Jacob who had never returned her messages and calls.

Together with Edward, Bella went to Jacksonville to see her mother Renee. Charlie did not like the idea of their trip  being together but still consented. Renee presented a graduation gift to her pretty lass. It was a quilt made from collected college T-shirts from every state and sewn together.  Bella liked it very much.

When Edward and Bella returned to Forks, they saw Jacob in school. The shape-shifter-into a wolf guy told Edward that a Cullen trespassed a Quileute territory. This was due to the vampire villain Victoria who came back to their town seeking for revenge. Bella then realized Edward’s lie to her (it was actually for her safety that she was sent to a trip) and got mad. She also confronted Jacob for not responding to her voice mails but he said he had nothing to say at all. In spite of Edward disagreeing to Bella’s moves, she rode with Jacob in his motorcycle so that they could have a time for each other to talk of many things they’ve missed. They went off to the reservation where she met new wolf-pack members like the young lady, Leah (Julia Jones).

Riley entered Bella’s house and sniffed through her things. He stole her red blouse and before leaving took a closer look on sleeping Charlie’s face (as if to feed on him).

When Bella came home, Charlie approached her but a loud knock was on the door. It was Edward who went quickly upstairs to Bella’s room and knew someone had been there.

At the Cullen’s house, they were discussing about the nomad vampire who had gone to Bella’s room. Edward could not recognize the scent and they were suspecting that the Volturi might be involved but Alice (Ashley Greene) disagreed because she is seeing the Volturi ruler in her visions.

The Cullens are obsessed with Bella’s safety and came with a plan to take rounds in keeping her guard. On the following scene, Jacob went to Bella’s house to get the scent of the intruder. At night, the Quileute wolf-pack tribe (at least two of them) replaced the Cullens in watching over Bella so the vampires could feed.

Later they found out the rise of the “newborns” (the state when a human has been changed to a vampire) in Seattle which is the reason behind the massive murders. It was Victoria who built an army of newborns because they only thirst for blood with an uncontrollable behavior. The Cullens are the closest to be attacked. Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard) could now make her avenge on Edward who killed Victoria’s partner James.

The Cullens and the Quileute started training how to fight and defeat newborns headed by Jasper (Jackson Rathbone).

Making sure that Bella is safe, Edward decided to be on her side while Jacob will carry her to the higher grounds so that her scent would be unrecognizable by Victoria . This is to keep her from the fearless battle.

On the actual of day of the attack, the Cullen family together with the huge wolf shifter Quileutes fought mightily against the newborn army of vampires. But Victoria sensed that Edward was not there fighting so she climbed on the mountain thinking that Bella would also be there where Edward is until finally they met face to face. Edward sensed that she was not alone. Riley’s with her and Edward tried to convince Riley that Victoria is only using him for her revenge. But Riley was won over his feelings for Victoria so he attacked Edward only to be ambushed by the huge wolf Seth as planned.

The rumble started and when Victoria tried to flee, Edward taunted her where she became very furious and attacked him. Seth was distracted with the sound during the fight and got unconscious after Riley knocked him off. Both Victoria and Riley are now working together to kill Edward. Bella seeing the unlikely scene few meters away in a very cold snow took a rock and lacerated her arm enough for her to bleed that caused distraction to the two vicious vampires. Victoria and Riley were now heading to attack Bella but Edward overpowered them, dragged Riley and ripped off Victoria’s head to her death.

Alice saw the Volturi was coming so she summoned them to regroup.

A very strong newborn ambushed Leah and Jacob came to rescue her. The Quileutes finished the vampire however Jacob’s rib cage was badly hurt while maneuvering over the enemy. They immediately carried him as the Volturi was very near.

Jane (Dakota Fanning), a member of the Volturi, was slightly impressed how the Cullen survived the battle. She noticed Bree (a newborn created by Riley) who was trembling on the side of the Cullens. Jane tormented her to inquire about her existence but she did not know as Riley did not entrust them about this information. Edward told Jane that Victoria was the head of this uprising. Carlisle (Peter Facinelli) and Esme (Elizabeth Reaser) assumed responsibility for Bree but Jane clearly mentioned that the Volturi does not give second chances which led her asking why Bella is still human (as what have been agreed from the previous film, New Moon). Bella replied “the date has been set”. Jane ordered her underling Felix to sentence Bree.

Bella visited Jacob’s home to know how he is. She overheard him screaming in pain while Dr. Carlisle Cullen was curing him. She then entered to his room for a conversation after the vampire doctor went out. Jacob knew about Bella’s decision and in desperation wished he could still change her mind. How hard it would be but he now has to face the fact that he lost Bella.

The final scene showed Bella and Edward discussing their wedding day.

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Movie Info:

Directed by David Slade
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Produced by
Marty Bowen
Greg Mooradian
Mark Morgan
Guy Oseary
Wyck Godfrey
Karen Rosenfelt
Bill Bannerman
Isaac Klausner
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Written by
Melissa Rosenberg (Screenwriter)
Stephenie Meyer (Source Writer)

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Starring
Kristen Stewart- Isabella “Bella” Swan
Robert Pattinson- Edward Cullen
Taylor Lautner- Jacob Black
Xavier Samuel- Riley
Bryce Dallas Howard- Victoria
Ashley Greene- Alice Cullen
Billy Burke- Chief Charlie Swan
Peter Facinelli- Dr. Carlisle Cullen
Elizabeth Reaser- Esme Cullen
Jackson Rathbone- Jasper Whitlock
Dakota Fanning- Jane
Jodelle Ferland- Bree
Julia Jones- Leah Clearwater
Sarah Clarke- Renee Swan
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My Rating: B

My Comments:

Story:

The plot is better compared to New Moon. It has become more deep as the story approaches its ending. The love triangle heats up as Edward and Jacob fight for their love and affection for Bella. The shift and progress of the storyline was built up fine and its climax brought some thrill and excitement.

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Direction:

I’m not quite familiar with director David Slade’s works. As searched he only had a few. However directing this kind of film is such an accomplishment. The Twilight Saga took a different flight with him.

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Acting:

In fairness, the cast definitely improved their acting. Stewart and Pattinson have been doing big budgeted films in the past so it was excepted from them to deliver their best performance. Lautner also played good. Other supporting roles did well especially Dakota Fanning even if she only had three short scenes as far as I can remember.

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Visuals:

Nice special effects. Actually I find it flawless though it is really not a major focus of this movie.

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Sound:

Clear dialogues and musical score were good.

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Movie Trailer:

Credits:
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