Enjoyed this, but with a sense of emptiness

Rating: 6/10 (21 November 2009)

I enjoyed the first film. Never having read the books, I do not have any foreknowledge of events, other than what persons who have read told me, and that is very little. So strictly cinematically the first film was enjoyable. I thought Pattinson and Stewart had great chemistry, the entire Cullen clan was fantastic as well as the other supporting actors.
This time around, I didn't come out of the theater with as much of a sense of satisfaction. The 1st act and last half of the 3rd act are strong,but most of the 2nd act and beginning of the 3rd left me looking at my watch and for the most part, made this film a less enjoyable experience. Once Jacob "changes", the 2nd act drags to a halt and looses momentum. The main reason is the blossoming relationship between he and Bella feels forced. The film jumps around a lot in this section of the film and ultimately it hurts the chemistry between Lautner and Stewart, which doesn't have any kind of the emotional spark that Stewart and Pattison created in Twilight. I understand, from Bella's point of view, the relationship is more brother/sister. Still, there just seemed to be a lack of a focus in creating more of that tension here. Lautner and Stewart acting wise are good, but Weisz fails to create the relationship between the two that Hardwicke built so wonderfully in Twilight. Even the scenes between Stewart and Pattinson are not as intense as in Twilight. I don't want to play the gender card here, but I think this is a movie series that requires a keen sensibility of a young girl/boy relationship and Weisz, a talented director, was not up to the task of focusing on that like Hardwicke did.
The music this go around (score) was done by a different person and I have to say also disappointed. I really loved the evocative score from the first film's music by Carter Burwell. But this go around, Desplat, to me, creates a more generic score that just wasn't as emotional.
The vampire counsel, which I had looked forward to seeing is all of 7 or 8 minutes of the film. We get a hint of the powers they have, but that is about it. They are so much a part of the trailers yet a tiny part of the film.
Most of my complaints I know are not entirely the fault of the movie, it is, from what I understand, a very faithful adaptation of the book. But perhaps a little deviation would have given it more access to those of us that are not informed through the books.
I enjoyed the movie, but can find too much I didn't like that it is a minor disappointment. It hasn't lessoned by enjoyment of the series, but as a stand-alone element, it is definitely a far inferior effort, for me, to Twlight. Eclipse looks to be the movie I was hoping for in this film, I am looking forward to seeing it in June of next year.