Written by: Tabitha Johnson
So the choice has been made: ‘Team Edward.’ Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) made the decision to be with Edward (Robert Pattinson) until death do they part, as per an ironic moment at the altar. Breaking Dawn: Part I covers the wedding, the honeymoon, and the pregnancy as result of their marital bliss. Oh yeah, and there’s a pack of werewolves that want to destroy their unborn child that they consider an abomination. If the first movies were about abstinence, this is a pro-life film if there ever was one.
Having read the books, I went in with higher expectations than some. The final book is one of the most compelling teen romance novels I’ve ever read. There is action, anticipation, conflict, questioning of morals and a real story was being told. With director Bill Condon (Gods and Monsters, Dream Girls) in the seat for his first installment of the saga, I just knew that this would be the best of the series on the big screen. You know what they say about assumptions. Returning screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg did everything except capture the intensity and depth of the story being told. This was one of the most anticipated sequels for teenagers and middle age women all over. I mean, what female doesn’t want to see the wedding of the century and the forever desired sex scene of the human losing her virginity to an immortal?
The movie opens with Jacob (Taylor Lautner) receiving the wedding invitation. Of course he is angry so we see a shirtless Jacob shift into a wolf-beast thing and begin his disappearance from the first third of the movie. Cue the wedding planning, angst and lackluster acting of Stewart. Wedding time bliss also means cold feet for either the bride or groom. For a brief second Bella has a nightmare that hints that she is having second thoughts. But then to the wedding! After all, who has second thoughts about marrying an immortal who will turn them in a blood sucking monster? I imagine her reaction as: “Pfft, so I won’t be human anymore? Who cares? I’m going to be hot and not die and stuff.” We do get to experience Pattinson’s improved acting chops as he delivers more than just one facial expression. I do not care for Pattinson as an actor but I have to commend him for stepping it up. The downside of his performance was comparing him with the rest of the actors who turn out either subpar or just okay performances. Jacob makes his reappearance and there is still hope in his eyes and the hearts of all ‘Team Jacob’ members. With Bella in his arms as they dance, you forget they are at the reception for her wedding and you began to cross your fingers that Bella will change her mind. I mean, who do you want to spend your honey moon with? A cold-as-ice, possibly-can’t-get-an-erection, vampire or the warm-blooded, well-built and will-definitely-get-an-erection sexy werewolf?
Onto the secret island for the honeymoon! Everyone was on the edge of their seats and plenty of panties were wet with the thoughts of a naked Edward and the night full of passion and bed-breaking intercourse. Loins tight, nails bit and breath being held we waited … and waited. Yes, we know it has a PG-13 rating but dammit all to hell for nothing more than glorified making out. It was like the Paranormal Activity of love scenes. Most of the popping of the cherry took place off screen. We are brought back in to a destroyed bedroom and a bruised Bella. How did the lamp across the room get broken, clothes hamper turned over, the ottoman and pictures on the far wall get destroyed? I need to know! Afterward Edward refuses sex until she is changed. And then she’s pregnant. This is the point of the downward spiral for the film. The build up with no climax to a half-assed love scene and Bella accepting after a moment’s hesitation that she is pregnant with what could be essentially be a demon child. Back to Washington, re-enter Jacob and add in a bonding moment with Edward over the need for an immediate abortion.
Because of the pregnancy, the wolf pack wants to destroy Bella and the “baby.” This causes Jacob to claim dominance as the Alpha of the pack in a fierce fight with the current Alpha. He runs off and forms his own pack. It is one of the most powerful scenes of the entire movie. It’s beyond description and slightly arousing in a weird and awkward way. The great part is there is limited speaking! It’s just wolves doing their wolfy battle while snarling and occasional thought sharing thing. Lautner has come far from his Shark Boy days but his performance covers two emotions throughout most of the film: rage and depression. Jacob’s words exclaimed the array of emotions that Lautner failed to deliver. Lautner’s shining moment was after the delivery of the baby. The vampires and wolves are fighting outside of the house, Rosalie (Nikki Reed) is holding baby Reneesme by the fire, Edward is coming to terms with Bella’s death, and Jacob runs inside to make a choice of killing or rescuing Reneesme. We all assume his choice is to kill because that would save the Cullens from the attack. Then he imprints (a soul bond) with Reneesme. At that moment Lautner allowed the awe, wonder, surprise and devotion shine through with about ten minutes left in the film. The wolves back off, the vampires clean up the birthing room and Bella wakes up.
Having sat through the first three movies, I would say this was neither a step forward or a step back. It was just on the level with the last film. Having read the Saga, this movie is lacking so much. If you take away the lofty expectations, this was a good movie. It isn’t nearly as intense or ferocious as we expect but it still has its edge thanks to the good, not great, directing capabilities of Condon. I feel that it would have been much like the second film if the same director had taken the seat. Breaking Dawn carries the Hollywood cinematography feel like the last two whereas the first carried the air of an indie film. The let down comes from the screenplay itself. The biggest omission that would have made the film a great movie: reactions to life changing events. There should have been the agonizing feeling of loss since Bella would never be able to see her family again once she becomes a vampire. No one would make that decision after only a second of contemplation of life after mortal death. Plus, a normal woman goes insane with the smallest inkling they may be knocked up. I can only imagine the emotion and terror from knowing you’re pregnant with a supernatural creature’s spawn that could kill you. It would have resulted in more than just a pout in the mirror. The internal struggle to do what would be right and what would save your life should have been addressed with Bella more than just a few seconds. The conflict between pro-life and pro-choice from the mother’s point of view was left on the cutting room floor I assume.
To sum it up, Edward is still a whiny little hen that gives vampires a bad name, Bella made choices without thinking them through, Jacob is now a soul-mate to an infant and separated from the pack and the vampire over lords will show up in the next film. Over all, this is an OK movie. I wish I had waited for it to come to video rather than wasting money to view in theater. To clean my vampire movie screening palate I’m going to go watch Interview with the ‘at least attractive’ Vampire.
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