The best of the 3 and I'll tell you why * Spoiler alert!*

Rating: 8/10 (8 September 2010)

This was my favorite book of the series and thankfully they really made an effort with the movie, too. You should know, I am Team Jacob but I was able to hold my prejudices at bay for the sake of the movie. It's not perfect by any means, there's of course a few things I would've changed but nothing too major or dramatic, just a minor change or two to add for the fans.
Too, something that book fans need to realize and consider is this is a different medium. Things have to be sacrificed when making a book into a movie so inevitably some scenes end up looking sorta choppy or pushed together in an unlikely way but that's the price you pay when you condense things.
So with that said, let's review.
The acting—so many ppl don't like her as Bella but I think Kristen is perfect as Bella. She acts just the way Bella does in the book so when ppl say they don't like her, I think it's really Bella they don't like, and I agree, Bella is a ridiculous character but it's not fair to condemn Kristen for that. Rob wasn't and isn't my first pick for Edward but he does stiff and boring really well which is what Edward is so for that reason he's a good pick. He actually is kinda cute, another reason he's a good Edward. One thing to note too is that it's too easy to forget that Edward is a snarling vicious vampire, you don't see much evidence of this in the first 2 books/movies but here you do, particularly the fight in the forest. He let's go and allows himself to be what he truly is even if it means scaring Bella. Good for him! Taylor is an awesome Jacob, I honestly can't see anyone else in this part. Due to his size and what-not I think people forget how young he really is both him and his character. He's got his work cut out for him in BD though, I hope he can reach into his character more.
The story—Melissa R. actually did a good job of condensing the book into a script. I definitely enjoyed it more this time as opposed to the other two. All relevant points were in there and she even made it funny at times. Objectively speaking I've found that ppl who have a problem with the movie are actually criticizing the book and the writing, so to speak of the movie by itself I really feel it was well-written. The tent scene coulda been funnier and the Jacob/Bella farewell scene coulda been heavier (it was really sad in the book and should've made me cry in the theater too but it didn't). I really wish she had pumped those up more.
The directing— Mr. David Slade you saved this movie, ur my hero! Thank you for bringing your genius to this, you really gave it the edge this series needed. You made it okay for guys to watch what is largely a chick flick.
Ambiance— The music this time around was awesome. It really seemed to fit in with the theme of not only the moment but the movie itself and it's place in the series at the same time. The scenery/setting was right out of my imagination, even more so. The campfire tribal meeting scene was so beautifully shot and added so much, even better than the book.
I thought they ended the movie well, with B & E in their meadow. And unlike the book where I'm never truly convinced of Bella's motives and convictions on marriage/being turned into a vampire, in the movie I left with knowing her a little better. Melissa R convinced me (Remember I'm Team Jacob now) that Bella is ready for the next step and things are as they should be, in the movie at least. So with that said, they of course leave it open for the next movies, Breaking Dawn 1 & 2, I however refuse to see them, well the first one anyway. I thought the book sucked beyond all things that suck hard. JMHO.
If you can be objective and have an open mind I wholeheartedly recommend this movie. Why anyone goes to see this movie if they don't like the series is beyond me and makes no sense, but a-holes are determined to hate it no matter what. How weird is that?