Decent production values. Somewhat dull but way better than the previous.

Rating: 6/10 (17 July 2010)

"Eclipse" is the most commented movie between teenagers. It has a hot cast consistent of desirable teen actors. Who is not tired of listening to people who are into Team Jacob or Team Edward? Brrr.
"Eclipse" is in my opinion and uncomfortable watch. For one instance I thought it was well directed but contrasts with kitschy dull dialogs filed with clichés that made me cringe at some points. I mean, we have a splendid atmosphere through dynamic aerial camera angles, dark settings, excellent atmosphere (the first scene where Riley is attacked under a heavy rain for example), a brutal battle that is surprisingly attractive for the eye and more.
But in the other side, we get boring love declarations, Edward rejecting Bella when she's ready for sex because he "wants to wait until marriage" (come on!), Bella telling her father she's a virgin, Jacob telling Bella he loves her, and Bella always being the center of attention.
I think I know what happened with "Eclipse". In my opinion, it's easy to diagnose because Director David Slade is an avid Horror follower and even directed the obscure "30 Days of NIght" and the underrated "Hard Candy". Slade was obligated to insert the terrible dialog sequences, the kitsch moments such as when the three share a tent. I mean, it's a really uncomfortable watch: a horror atmosphere PG-13 oriented movie mixed with romantic dialogs in which we are supposed to believe that a handsome vampire is the perfect lover. Blah!
The movie looks good. Feels good and generates memorable moments. The battle between the army of vampires versus the alliance of werewolves and vampires is tremendous. Great camera angles, intense fighting, violent be headings, beatings, vampires and werewolves getting pounded to the ground, and the cool fight between Edward and Victoria. This battle is the best scene in the trilogy, IMO.
So we have a charismatic cast, just decent CGI, and a visual attractive direction. I didn't think I would find in a "Twilight" movie a band of vampires causing hysteria, murdering, burning cars and more. It was about time!.
Another positive aspect about this movie are the flashback sequences that show the past of the Cullens. At last we know what's going on with Rosalie's hostile attitude. I liked Jasper's love story and what happens with Alice. In these scenes I got a feeling of a stylish horror movie flick.
The flashback that explains the feud between werewolves and vampires is great. The way the "cold man" appears and is destroyed by wolves is very dark and good. But it was even better when the sexy female vampire returns to the village in revenge and destroys the whole tribe. That's until she's attacked and killed by the grandpa and wise man of the place. I liked how her wife sacrifices her life in order to stop the sexy but mad vampire. Damn good scene.
We even get a very creepy nightmare in which Maria speaks in Spanish and Victoria suddenly appears and disappears while whispering in Riley's ear. I didn't see that coming!.
What are the uncomfortable scenes I was referring before? When Bella is freezing and Edward can't do anything about it. So, Jacob appears shirtless (as always) and offers hugging Bella to make her feel warm. Both men argue and Bella tells them "don't fight". Also, the moment where Bella decides to kiss Jacob because she suddenly realizes she loves him. And the worst of all, the line "I'm hotter than you". Brrrr. But I knew these king of scenes were going to happen. Shame to myself!.
They also keep talking about their wedding... since New Moon! And nothing really happens. The whole vampire-human conversion also keeps ringing in my ears.
The acting is a little more better than in "New Moon". Or at least the lead actors believe their crappy dialogs. Robert Pattinson still looks static and doesn't show any emotions. Well maybe the role asks for those kind of histrionic qualities. Taylor Lautner reminds me a lot of A.C. Slater from "Saved by the Bell" and that's why I think he's a cool guy. His acting is putrid and I hate every scene where he appears shirtless. Kristen Stewart is a major babe. I mean, it's really difficult to take your eyes off her whenever she has on screen time. Her acting is wooden.
Bryce Dallas Howard takes on the role of Victoria. She's extremely sexy, arousing. I like her facial expressions.
Nikki Reed, Ashleey Greene, and Anna Kendrick don't have much on screen time but their charisma is very natural. They are three beautiful girls that act really good, very sexy (specially hot Nikki) and it's good that we finally learn more bout their past. Xavier Samuel was good as Riley. An interesting scapegoat by Victoria. Billy Burke is a low profile but decent actor that delivers some funny lines like "This Edward, I think I like him a little more" or something. The rest is OK.
I wanted to know more from the Volturi. It's amongst the best sub-plots of the trilogy. Dakota Fanning has more on screen time and her scenes demonstrate she's a key character in the future. Oh, and she's very pretty.
The soundtrack was really good, catchy. Muse's song should be very popular.
In general, I think "Eclipse" is way better than the kitschy "Twilight" and the mess that became to be "New Moon". At least in this one we have action, romance, and a dark atmosphere. Fans of the books will love it and fans of horror like me will just ignore it in the future.
But take my word, it works better if you want to get lucky with a girl after watching in on the movies.