"Eclipse" Eclipses "Twilight" and "New Moon"

Rating: 10/10 (11 July 2010)

Stephenie Meyers and the people producing the cinematic adaptations of her supernatural "Twilight" novels know how to stretch a good thing out. Happily, the elasticity in this interspecies romance franchise hasn't frayed over the last two blockbuster films. The outstanding third installment, "30 Days of Night" director David Slade's "Eclipse" literally eclipses both "Twilight" and "New Moon" with more action that either predecessor boasted. Not only do the pugnacious werewolves look more realistic, but also "Twilight" scenarist Melissa Rosenberg has intensified the competition in the three-way romance between Bella and her two jealous suitors Edward and Jacob. Indeed, Edward and Jacob have at least two substantial, well-written scenes where they analyze their behavior toward each other in light of Bella. They spar without touching each other. Mind you, the narrative is somewhat predictable because Bella still yearns to be a vampire while Edward staunchly opposes her obsession. Basically, the action is unfinished business. When Edward isn't trying to discourage Bella's desire to be undead, Jacob struggles to convince her that she really loves him. He argues that nothing serious will change if she chooses him over Edward. Some of the narrative threads left over from "Twilight" that were partially tied up in "New Moon" are mopped up here in "Eclipse." The evil Victoria has been biding her time to exact sweet revenge on Edward for destroying her vampire lover James. Further, the Volturi lurk on the fringe of the mayhem with malice aforethought.
"Eclipse" opens in Seattle where twentysomething Forks native Riley Biers (Xavier Samuels of "Road Kill") leaves a restaurant after dark during a light downpour. He is attacked without warning by an unseen assailant in a lonely alley. No matter what Riley tries to do, he cannot elude his attacker. Indeed, we can see little more than Riley, just a blur of something menacing him. On the docks, the mysterious attacker slashes at Riley's hand, and he winds up writhing in agony. "Eclipse" gets off to a grim start, but things lighten up as the scene shifts to Forks in a meadow where Bella and Edward discussing matters of the heart. Interestingly, the film concludes with them back in the meadow as a prelude to the last "Twilight" movie "Breaking Dawn." Meanwhile, Bella's poor father, Forks County Sheriff Charlie (Billy Burke of "Jane Austen's Mafia!"), doesn't have a clue about Edward and Bella's relationship. Basically, Charlie would like to see Bella see somebody other than Edward and prods her to visit Jacob. Naturally, Edward abhors every second that Bella spends with Jacob. He assures Bella that he trusts her, but he puts no trust in Jacob.
Meanwhile, clairvoyant Alice (Ashley Greene of "King of California") has a vision about the trouble in Seattle, but she cannot put her finger on who is stirring up the trouble. Eventually, the Cullens learn that an army of newborns is being assembled in Seattle, but they don't know who is behind them. After a time, they learn that Forks native Riley Biers, who has been reported as missing, may be at the core of the problem. Predictably, Edward tries to shield Bella from the truth, but he doesn't get any help from Jacob. Earlier, Edward and Bella flew to Florida so she could spend time with her mom. During their absence, the vampires fractured the treaty with the Indians. They were pursuing fleet-footed, high jumping Victoria through the forest when she hurls herself across a stream into werewolf country. Emmett Cullen (Kellan Lutz of "Accepted") found himself face-to-face with a snarling werewolf while Victoria gave both of them the slip. Not surprisingly, Jacob is appalled that Edward hasn't told Bella about the incident or that it was Victoria. Essentially, Jacob and his tribe enter the fight when they learn that vampires may storm the country. Of course, neither the newborns nor the Volturi know anything about Jacob and his shape-shifting werewolves.
The violence in "Eclipse" is quite stylized. When the vampires attack each other, they look like they are playing a game of old-fashioned football where the goal is to batter the opponents more than score a touchdown. The fatal blows that are delivered make it look like our heroes are smashing live-action statues. Not only do the vampires never bare their fangs, but also the blood and gore are confined within the limits of a PG-13 rating. According to Dr. Carlisle Cullen (Peter Facinelli of "Supernova"), these 'newborn' vampires pose a threat because they are actually stronger than either the Cullens or any other vampire because they still have some of their own human blood in their system. They live to the hilt of their existence and they have a difficult time keeping a low profile. If you remember "New Moon," you will remember that the law of the Volturi, the Supreme Count of Vampires, condemns any fangster that calls attention to themselves or their breed.
The thing that holds this Gothic melodrama together so well is the theme of change. "Eclipse" examines Bella's decision to renounce life in favor of becoming a vampire and the various opinions that the Cullen clan as well as Jacob offer about it. Like previous "Twilight" directors, David Slade seems to know when to let the drama dominate and the violence roar. Nevertheless, Slade also knows when to insert humor that lightens the mood without overexposing anything. Moreover, "Eclipse" provides a glimpse into the lives of Jasper Whitlock and Rosalie Hale and how they became vampires. The school graduation speech that Jessica Stanley delivers is refreshingly different. "New Moon" lenser Javier Aguirresarobe encores as director of photography, and he creates a palate of moody colors that reflect the tension and the atmosphere. He also captures the pictorial beauty of the surroundings as well as the luminous cast with his widescreen compositions. In short, "Eclipse" qualifies as a grand looking movie.