Wrongly Interpretated and Unperfected

Rating: 6/10 (15 July 2010)

I would really like to write a positive review to this movie, but I tend not to.
This movie is not a masterpiece, but it isn't too bad either.
I love the Twilight Series, but the movies have disappointed me so far. I mean, they simply haven't come up to my expectations. They weren't bad but I had hoped for more. New Moon was the one that I actually loved, though the storyline of the book had already made me sleepy while reading and therefore the movie was a little boring at some parts as well. Fact is that the director did a good job and so I was thrilled by the way he presented the story.
First of all, I'm not willing to criticize the story itself, because the books are not subject to the rating of this movie - also, we have to say that, in most cases, the books usually are better than the movies. Questions about and incomprehension of different characters and actions belong in an internet forum on a fan side, not in a movie review of a film that is based on a number one novel...
The Movie: This movie in one word: corny. When it was clear that David Slade would direct "Eclipse" people hoped for good action. Maybe that's why they hired him. I was very impressed that a man like him produced something that wasn't only a romantic movie, but turned out to become a quite exaggerated version of what the fans had already read in the novel.
But well, the director is the one to interpret. Therefore, the movie left the impression on me that David Slade got the story the wrong way.
The result of his work is dull, almost like: OK, I don't like the story but I got to make a movie - so just let's get it over with...
What the movie is missing is tension, feeling the viewer develops - short: dramaturgy. I felt like there was too less music. This is a device that usually brings up emotions.
I was surprised that the presentation of the title was almost the same as in New Moon, why didn't he come up with something that would underline his style or the character of the movie?
It seems like the editing wasn't completely done or time was short.
The screenplay was good and fulfills the novel. But there is a lot of comedy in this movie, maybe a bit too much. It overlays the actual seriousness of the situation and makes the story seem a little ridiculous from time to time.
Special effects, besides the wolves, were a little disaster in this movie. I mean, the scene in the woods when it snows looks unreal, it's obviously a fake landscape. Okay, they couldn't have Taylor Lautner run around half naked in actual freezing conditions, but we've seen better fake landscapes.
Is the movie HD? I could see the makeup on their faces! Which, by the way, was a little too much on the vampires. They didn't look beautiful to me anymore... Maybe it was the light... And since when does the hair of vampires grow? Jasper's was shorter just a view twilight- months ago...
In my eyes the actors did a good job.
Taylor Lautner presents Jacob just the way he is in the novel: overprotective in an uncomfortable way, bossy and trying to tell Bella what's best for her (which makes her actually think about if she's making the right decisions).
Robert Pattinsson sticks to Edward's typical facial expressions. Though it was debated that he would not be the best cast for the character, we get used to him and he is quite convincing in his role. (By the way, I think he is SUPPOSED TO be overshadowed by Jacob, because he willingly keeps in the background to let Bella decide and not force her to anything! It's not because of acting abilities...)
Kristen Stewart seems to identify with Bella better. She understands her character quite well. I never had trouble to buy what she did or said. Besides, the actress seems to have a totally different personality...
Robert and Kristen together seem different now. They are much more convincing as a couple. Who knows why... ;)
Conclusion: Do not watch if you're unfamiliar with the novels or the story itself!! It doesn't change what's in the novels but doesn't present it with all the facts and stuff you believe you know about the characters when you read the books. Cause what's fascinating about the Twilight movies is to see what you've read. It's not made for someone who expects one movie that concludes and starts logically.
Fans will like it, but for them it's not a perfected movie.