Empire's The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Movie Review

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
When hairy met sullen

Plot
Decision time for Bella (Stewart) as graduation approaches and she must confront conflicting feelings for vampire Edward (Pattinson) and werewolf Jacob (Lautner). The two rivals put aside their differences to protect their sweetheart from a vengeful Victoria (Howard) and her vampire army…

Review

Trust David Slade to bring the house down. The Hard Candy helmer has experience of blood-guzzlers, and while Stephenie Meyer’s teen-titillating romance doesn’t permit the storm of gruesomeness that rained down on 30 Days Of Night, he’s cast darkling clouds over Twilight’s once sunny horizon. There are still pretty faces, and more bare-chested bravado than a Tarzan casting session, but he’s boosted Meyer’s saccharine infusion with a dose of bitterness and, crucially, humour, irony and a sense of foreboding.

The third instalment, Eclipse is the most action-packed yet, with Victoria returning to exact revenge on Edward (Robert Pattinson) by sinking her teeth into his fragile paramour, Bella (Kristen Stewart). She engineers an army of ‘Newborns’, led by Riley (Xavier Samuel), to unleash fury in the Pacific Northwest, track Bella and destroy both mortal girl, and her immortal protectorate, the Cullens. Clairvoyant Cullen Alice (Ashley Greene) knows something is afoot but can’t identify the source: it is Victoria’s secret.

Indeed, secrets are bubbling to the surface in Eclipse. The Volturi are up to no good, and there’s dark revelation in two lively back stories (for Nikki Reed’s Rosalie and Jackson Rathbone’s Jasper). Elsewhere, Jacob confesses his passions for Bella (“Doesn’t he own a shirt?” asks Edward at one point) and steals a kiss, which earns him a punch in the mush, while Ed asks for Bella’s hand in marriage. Choices, both good and bad, inform the entire series, and Bella must now decide whether to admit she loves Jacob as well as Edward. Or should she give herself fully to Edward, whom she loves most? Also, she’s feeling frisky: should she finally get laid? It’s tough being a teen.

All three corners of the love triangle look sharper than before: the most accomplished actor, Stewart, still lip-biting, Lautner still pec-flexing, and Pattinson not fully shaking that fiery-eyed pout. But all have grown into their roles, cutting loose in a film that (thankfully) sidesteps the melodrama of its prequels. Edward and Jacob must pull together to protect Bella, and Slade jives with their wiseacre conversation: as Bella freezes in the snow, Jacob’s naked torso offers radiation, and the wry line that, after all, he is the “hotter” of the two.

The fan base will enjoy the maturation of characters and plot, while Slade brings great energy to the climactic battle between the Newborns and the Cullen-Wolf Pack alliance. Under his guidance, the series has evolved into something most unlikely: Twilight is in danger of becoming cool.

Verdict

Reviewed by Will Lawrence

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Average user rating for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Review
Stuffed with characters and overly reliant on uninspired dialogue may not win Eclipse many new fas, but this is an improved blend of romance and action fantasy. ... More


Posted by the film man at 23:50, 30 December 2011 \| Report This Post



By Far The Best So Far!
was bored by the second film but this film definitely got me back into the saga. ... More


Posted by ireland.madi at 21:17, 06 June 2011 \| Report This Post



$400,000 Worldwide = 4 stars?
I will have to join the chorus of those shocked by empire's review. I don't often dislike films. I tend to see the merit in most creations that have a large public appeal. But this is a mystery. Four stars were given to Magnolia, Braveheart, Donnie Brasco to name a few films that Empire feels are on par with this melodramatic, faux-vampire soap. Will Lawrence has to be a fan. That is the only explanation. Because anyone with even the slightest film interest or insight can see this thing for ... More


Posted by sundance0611 at 10:04, 14 February 2011 \| Report This Post



$400,000 Worldwide = 4 stars?
See below... ... More


Posted by sundance0611 at 10:03, 14 February 2011 \| Report This Post



REALLY???
complete and utter crap, empire is officially a mediocre review site/magazine because of this ... More


Posted by linkinpython at 17:18, 09 January 2011 \| Report This Post




Watching it as I type! BOOORRRINNNNG!! ... More


Posted by fraser1978 at 20:57, 08 January 2011 \| Report This Post




Watching it as I type! BOOORRRINNNNG!! ... More


Posted by fraser1978 at 20:56, 08 January 2011 \| Report This Post



The best one so far!
Okay, so I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the biggest Twilight fan. The 2 main characters, Bella and Edward, are irritating and it can be a bit too melodramatic for its own good. However, I have found them to be entertaing and Eclipse is, in my opinion, the best in the series so far. Director David Slade, who gave us the excellent 30 days of night, handles the action well and injects a much needed bit of life into the saga. If you can't stand Twilight then why waste your time watching it ... More


Posted by dannyfletch at 22:15, 05 January 2011 \| Report This Post



The best one so far!
Okay, so I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the biggest Twilight fan. The 2 main characters, Bella and Edward, are irritating and it can be a bit too melodramatic for its own good. However, I have found them to be entertaing and Eclipse is, in my opinion, the best in the series so far. Director David Slade, who gave us the excellent 30 days of night, handles the action well and injects a much needed bit of life into the saga. If you can't stand Twilight then why waste your time watching it ... More


Posted by dannyfletch at 22:15, 05 January 2011 \| Report This Post



Better than New Moon but still terrible
Eclipse suffers in many of the same places as new moon and succeeds in none of the places Twilight did. Its not funny, engaging or remotely interesting like the first in the series and just as in New Moon it is incredibly boring, contains some badly rendered giant wolves and is trying to be an action film and failing miserably like New Moon. On the last point it has to be said that the whole film built up to this huge climactic battle that lasted all of five seconds and was poorly orchestrated... More


Posted by stevolegendbauer at 19:08, 03 January 2011 \| Report This Post



Much better than Full Moon!
After the disasterous New Moon, this far much better but can't beat the script of Twilight! ... More


Posted by batbhai at 05:01, 29 December 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: liked it a lot
I saw this film the other day. I have not read the books and didn't like the previous two twilight films, except two was really bright. But I was curious thanks to all the hype so gave the film a go. The cast, apart from the main three, do a good job with the script. The flashbacks filling in the backgrounds of vampires Jasper and Roslien, (whatever her name is) were very well handled. But the triangle between Belle, Edward and Jacobe is the main prioity of the film and watching the c... More

Posted by white mage at 18:55, 21 July 2010 \| Report This Post



RE:
It's amazing that anyone could give this film 4 stars. I really am not hostile to the series for the sake of it, the second film was actually almost passable, maybe 2 stars at most. The problem with Eclipse is the melo-drama. Some of the scenes are long and self indulgent to the point of being excurciating and it's not as if they are giving us anything new or anything for the story. On the flip side, the film has a few genuinely exhilarating scenes, notable the chase scene, the vampire fig... More

Posted by Porkchop_Express at 10:58, 17 July 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: @ dolemole
L: Lemure Don't take this personally, but you're an idiot. Critics don't say whether or not they like a film they say whether or not a film is good. It's very different. sp; Disagree with the point, fine. But stick to the point and leave out the namecalling, please. And I think that should be "whether or not r opinion film is good". That's even more different. ... More

Posted by elab49 at 20:53, 14 July 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: @ dolemole
I'm new to the whole Twilight thing having not read the books and only just watched movies 1 and 2 in order to accompany Mrs Skeleton Jack to this one. I thought the first movie was actually quite good (which surprised me), the second was just ok, so what of Eclipse? Well this one was just Ok too I felt, if an imporovement on part 2. The main problem was that it dragged in parts and often ventured a bit too far into melodrama. A bit more action wouldn't have gone amiss, but I'm still ju... More


Posted by skeletonjack at 20:50, 14 July 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: @ dolemole
After the utter tedium of New Moon, there was only one way the Twilight saga could go and that was up, in fact this is a considerable improvement on both the previous movies. It's still not especially ], mainly due to the source material, but is a lot better than you might think. Director David Slade attempts, and for the most succeeds, in giving the movie some tension certain atmosphere. This is rather darker then the first two films, and actually shows a fair amoun... More


Posted by Dr Lenera at 21:07, 12 July 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: Eclipse
Director: David Slade Screenwriter: Melissa Rosenberg Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ashley Greene, Billy Burke, Xavier Samuel, Dakota Fanning Synopsis As school graduation is approaching, Bella (Stewart) must choose between her love for vampire Edward (Pattinson) and her friendship with werewolf Jacob. Meanwhile, an army of newborn vampires are heading in their direction, while a vengeful Victoria (Howard) wants payback. Review... More


Posted by R W at 11:48, 10 July 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: Twilght Moaners
I can't stand people moaning about the twilight films if your not a fan or don't like it don't see it dummies! Its not for everyone and its mostly just kerching off the books for the fans. Im going to see Eclipse because ive seen the other two and I always take my kid sister who is fan and has read all the books and shes told me what happens in the very end lol. ... More

Posted by Bighousewill at 18:27, 07 July 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: Mass marketed entertainment...
I have never seen the fascination with this emo-shit posing as a vampire/werewolf/romantic drama. Bella? If she smiled she'd freak everyone out. What an unlikeable character. Cullen? What a ponce! Vampires are supposed to be sexual, dangerous beasts not brooding morons who look like they've just left a My Chemical Romance gig. Jacob? Get a grip you muppet and stop chasing a bird who is the cure for insomnia. SPOILER! I can't wait to see how they adapt the 'cesarean with teeth... More

Posted by Scoop1980 at 14:55, 07 July 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: I just can't believe this review, particularrly since it's the worst Twilight so far.
L: r1x Not so much Underworld as an unfunny 10 Things I Hate About Bestiality. ho the fuck wants to be the next Underworld? Not sure I saw the similarities to "10 Things..." either. ... More

Posted by Macavity at 20:06, 06 July 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: Eclipse
well, your mum enjoyed ... More

Posted by boove at 23:44, 05 July 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: 4?
Well, Empire is consistent, I'll give it that. ... More

Posted by hatebox at 18:02, 05 July 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: 4?
haven't seen this yet ( and hopefully will stay that way till the DVD comes out) but was talking to the a number of people who saw it las night. On they're testimony 3 stars at best but an improvment on the snorefest that was the last one. ... More

Posted by livewire at 16:33, 05 July 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: Eclipse
The girlfriend and I snuck in to see this immediately after seeing To The Greekurday night. I'd seen the first film and thought it was fine. so fine. There's nothing to hate. Nothing to love about it either. A couple of funny one-liners. Everyone looking very good of course. A big wolf here and there. Lots of talking about nothing. Probably too long. Bad guys could do with a little personality. Biggest problem is that you come out feeling like the whole thing h... More


Posted by Macavity at 13:31, 05 July 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: Eclipse
Two things: ddy baby and wooden wolf puppy joined forces (kinda) are we gonna see teenege girls walking around in TEAM JEDWARD tshirts now? w excrutiatingly cringingly awful was that "let's wait til we're married" scene? I didn't know whether to laugh...but I did anyway. It was meant to be a comic interlude wasn't it?in all though, definitely an improvement on New Moon, but for the most part the wolfie effects are still ropey due no doubt to the rush to release eac... More


Posted by wombathog at 12:22, 05 July 2010 \| Report This Post



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The Twilight Saga: EclipseWhen hairy met sullen

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
When hairy met sullen