Awesome continuation of the unforgettable love story

Rating: 9/10 (16 March 2010)

New Moon is the second installment in Stephenie Meyer's blockbuster franchise. Like the first film, it does not disappoint. I was so excited to see this movie; this was the first of the Twilight films that I was able to see in the theater after becoming a fan. Like many, I was at the midnight showing.
This movie is closer to the book than its predecessor; although I did not have a problem with Twilight. In this one, Edward breaks up with Bella to protect her from himself and others like him after she cuts herself at a birthday party and Jasper lunges for her. The Cullens leave Forks and leave her absolutely devastated. After months of numbness, Bella begins to find comfort in her best friend, Jacob Black. She finds out that he is a werewolf when Victoria (a rogue vampire we meet in Twilight) comes to kill her. The Cullens killed Victoria's lover, James, at the end of the first movie and she wants revenge. She is able to out-maneuver Jacob and the other wolves and almost gets her hands on Bella. Meanwhile, Bella has visions of Edward when she does reckless things. One day, she goes cliff diving which sets off a chain of events in order to save Edward's life. At the end of the movie, the Cullens have returned to Forks, Victoria is still on the loose, Jacob is in love with Bella and Edward promises to never leave her again.
Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner are perfect in these roles. Although I am Team Edward, I was glad to see Taylor have more screen time as he is denied this in the first one. There is plenty of sexual tension and chemistry between these two and we get to see Lautner with his shirt off several times during the film. That being said, I hated the almost-kiss between Bella and Jacob. Thank God for Edward interfering!
Robert Pattinson does not get much screen time as Edward leaves Bella, but when he is on screen, he keeps your attention. All I did was stare at him. He also removes his shirt towards the end of the film to the delight of many. He is absolutely perfect as the tortured vampire who doesn't want to leave Bella but does because he thinks it's best for her. He is gorgeous, like Edward is written, and articulate. The chemistry between him and Stewart remains and is even kicked up a notch with several passionate kisses throughout the film. Edward tells Bella that he lied to protect her and he will always love her. The movie ends with him proposing marriage.
The rest of the cast is also great, especially Ashley Greene as Alice. There is not a single person out of place. We are introduced to the wolf pack in this one and will see more of them in the next two films. The cinematography, like Twilight, is breathtaking. The wolves are CGI and completely believable. Music chosen for this installment fits perfectly, especially Possibility by Lykke Li and Monsters by Hurricane Bells. The costumes are modern and classy; the dress that Bella wears in the birthday scene is my favorite piece, followed by the green blouse when she is in Italy. Replicas of these costumes are available for purchase and both are currently hanging in my closet.
The next chapter in the Twilight Saga does not disappoint; at least it didn't for me. It is an awesome continuation of the story and leaves you hanging for Eclipse. Make sure you see it.