New Moon: A reminder that adaptations work

Rating: 10/10 (20 November 2009)

Before reviewing the latest film in the Twilight saga, I will admit to being a die-hard fan - this was apparent by the 'Team Edward' t-shirt I wore to the midnight showing.
New Moon was my favourite of the Twilight books. When I first read it, I was called down to dinner just after the point when Edward leaves Bella in the woods. I literally could not eat my meal until I knew what happened. I remained locked in my bedroom for the next 3 hours, reading without a break. Though not a classic masterpiece, the book is captivating. Which is exactly what the film is.
When I saw Twilight, I was so desperate for it to be good that I closed my eyes to all the things that sucked about it. Even now I pretend that Kristen Stewart's acting was good or that you couldn't see Robert Pattinson's make up lines. The film differed from the book so much, and in places where it wasn't necessary.
New Moon, on the other hand, differed from the books in places where it would have been impossible to do otherwise. True, you never see Victoria in the novel. But what kind of movie would it have been if there was no excitement in the middle 90minute stretch?
The acting, unlike the first one, was superb (mostly) and I was drawn in from the moment it started to the moment the movie theatre kicked us out. Kristen convinced us, with heartbreaking realism, that there really was a hole in Bella's life when Edward was gone. Rob showed us the heartbreak Edward felt every time he saw Bella and knew he was 'bad for her'. And Taylor Lautner effectively showed us that Jacob Black is a selfish, prejudiced butt head, who just happens to look spectacular without his shirt on.
The special effects were convincing enough and, frankly, who really cares? If I wanted to see astounding special effects I would go see Avatar or District 9. The movie is about love: unrequited, unabashed, unruly, indestructible and any other type you can think of. The effects are almost irrelevant.
And as for pace: Are we really to the point where we can't sit through 5minutes of dialogue and scenery. When did we become incapable of being patient and letting characters grow?
I am usually cold and emotionless when watching a film. This was not the case when viewing New Moon. I could not control my grief when Bella was screaming in heartbreak or when Edward was desperate to die. And I almost let out an audible scream of delight when Edward and Bella were reunited. (and, I might add, a giggle when Jacob got rejected)
All in all, I thought The Twilight Saga: New Moon is a force to be reckoned with. Hopelessly romantic, heart-breakingly harrowing and excessively exciting, it's a film any true romantic or Twi-hard won't want to miss.