Absolutely fan(g)tastic!

Rating: 10/10 (5 July 2010)

After watching the movie at an Advanced Screening in my local cinema this weekend I still am speechless as to how perfect this movie was.
David Slade did not only capture the action of the scenes that required it but also concentrated on the romance between Bella and Edward allowing for humour and jealous dialogues between Edward and Jacob.
I think the story of the book (which I have read and enjoyed) was fully captured and rightly partially re-written to suit the fast pace of the film. Yes, Slade did give information on the Newborns that you don't read in the book. (You do get it if you read Meyers recently published Eclipse Novella) However, that is a really good thing. This allowed him to not just "introduce" random Newborn Vampires but actually give the viewers an insight into what exactly the Cullens were up against and also give the viewers a better idea of the implications of Bella's choice to ask the Cullens to change her. In fact, it also points out a bit of a flaw in the book "Eclipse". The book retrospectively explained Bella's epiphany regarding why the Newborns were after her. It is much better to allow the viewer to put the pieces together than wait for the movie to spell it out. (Much more fun this way!)
Slade also allowed the non-readers to gain background information on the characters by having Rosalie, Jasper and even the Quilleute tribe tell their story on how they became what they are today. Their stories again stayed very true to the book and yes - again - some good action there but again I need to point out that this was also present in the book so Twilight fans should really take a step back when criticizing this part.
Personally I think this is by far the best visual adaption of the Twilight books so far. It gave the viewer everything and more than the book did. The visual effects and wolf-animation were by far more realistic and convincing than in New Moon. The story in itself was much more "together" and it finally gave each character a moment to shine.
Is this movie for you? Well, if you like the Twilight Saga and haven't slept through the first two movies you will definitely enjoy the film. If you haven't read the books but watched the last two instalments you will also enjoy this film - and definitely better than "New Moon". The only reason you might not enjoy this is if you are completely put off by any type of violence (even if in moderation) and if for some bizarre reason you believe Eclipse is soley about Romance and a love triangle between Jacob, Bella and Edward. (It is not!)
The movie was - in one word: excellent!