Average nevertheless worth watching

Rating: 7/10 (20 November 2009)

The major problem with this movie is that it's not bad but it's not brilliant either. Yet the fact that it falls into the average category doesn't fail to disappoint. Despite mostly the bad criticism the first movie had received I still enjoyed it immensely and being true to my promise I did actually read all four books after. With the second movie being so hyped up I did expect a step up (bear in mind that I loved the first film a lot). To be brutally honest the movie appeared too childish for my liking. The not-scary-at-all werewolves gave a Narnia feel to the film. I also wasn't impressed with Kristen Stewart's acting this time - throughout the first half of the movie she seemed merely upset, saddened by Edward's disappearance - which is MILES AWAY from the original text describing Bella feeling like a lone satellite spinning instinctively though her planet had disappeared. I think that was the core moment of the second book that was sadly missed. The story presentation appeared slightly adapted for a younger generation, to be precise (no offence in mind) for 13-16 year olds who are mainly after pretty faces, special effects and cheesy romance... Don't get me wrong it was dramatic enough in a High School way but not as intense and mystical as it should have been. The missing links left more questions than answers. The visions of Edward - they've never been explained; if it wasn't for the book I'd think that Bella was doing Lady GaGa. The first movie hints that there might be a friendship between Bella and Alice (though you can't rely on Alice's subjective vision of future) and then before you know without any warning Alice is becoming a key character pretty much from the start of the second movie. Yet the director manages to fit in the scene of Bella's dream with the mirror - in my books, it's a movie time poorly spent. Of course there are plenty of positives to the movie as well! For a start, the soundtracks! OMG they WERE brilliant and I'd even go as far as to say that they created most of the right atmosphere in the film. Dakota Fanning and Michael Sheen brought with them a good acting, I did especially like Dakota's part - she pulled off the evil character of Jane with an angelic face perfectly! The movie was actually beautifully made: 10 out 10 for fantastic scenes of Italy, Brazil and even Forks. I was impressed with them! I do feel sorry for Robert Pattison: his acting is not being noticed as should be. Being a part of the cast he gets the undeserved criticism for the failed expectations but he is actually good. Overall I would say that people who have never read the books have all the chances to enjoy this movie, yet those ones who appreciate the book story are more likely to be disappointed. It's still a movie worth watching but I can't help but feeling sad: I've never been embarrassed before to openly declare I adore the Twilight saga, with the this movie out I am not sure I feel the same way...