My 12 year-old daughter was bristling with excitement. "Don't spoil it", she admonished, just a little too loudly as we walked into watch Breaking Dawn One, “It isn't aimed at you".
The penultimate instalment of the Twilight Saga, based on the best-selling books by Stephanie Meyers, (116 million copies in 50 countries) would, I agree, not normally attract me. Vampires and werewolves for the baby-boomer generation revive unwanted memories of second rate films; poor scripts, worse acting, Christopher Lee with false teeth. Today's generation, more impatient and more demanding would simply not tolerate what we unquestioningly sat through.
Despite no synopsis of the previous films, it’s not hard to fathom the storyline so far. Bella (Kristen Stewart), a human, loves Edward (Robert Pattinson) a vampire, but to consummate their relationship Bella must die. Thrown into the mix is a werewolf called Jacob – whom Bella still lusts after – his clan, the Quileute, and Edward’s family, the Cullens. After three movies of flirting and unimaginable self-control, our couple are united on a beach in Brazil. But Bella falls pregnant, their happiness short-lived.
The baby develops at impossible speeds, sucking the lifeblood of Bella herself.
The childbirth itself is gory and shocking and entirely inappropriate for a rating of 12A. It's less what you see and more what you hear, the tearing the squelching, the screaming, the sobs. That this passed the censor truly beggars belief.
Their romance itself is charming and innocent, Bella loving her vampire with, literally, all of her soul. Stewart and Pattinson reverse traditional roles; she flirtatious and forward, he respectful and patient, qualities of which her father Charlie Swan (Billy Burke) approves. "I know how to hunt people.. and use knives".. he tells his new son-in-law, adding a rare but welcome moment of light-hearted relief. Stewart herself is touching and sweet, gentle with Edward but sure of her love. While her mastery of the role is impressive to watch - she has vulnerable heroine down to a tee – the jury is out on how much more she can do. The dilemma for Pattinson is no less demanding –what else and where else is the question from here. Breaking Dawn Part Two sees Armageddon of the vampires, a death and death struggle as the Volturi seek revenge. My daughter can’t wait. 7/10.
Richard Smith-Morgan
December 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment