I have had many friends and family members ask me my thoughts on the movie.
As always.. I am going to give you my honest opinion.
If you want to know about content.. and overall thoughts.. scroll down to the bottom of the post.
If you have not seen the movie.. my review WILL have SPOILERS.. so come back and read it after you see it.
What did I think???
I LIKED it A LOT.
But did I LOVE it or think it was Fabulous?? No.
I do feel the need to explain myself a little here.
I LOVED these books. If you are new-ish here.. and didn't read all of my past twilight posts.. you should know.. I have never been a reader... and thanks to Stephenie Meyer.. I wanted to read!
Who would have ever thought I would love a "fantasy" series as much as I have?
I am not one to like this type of stuff.. but I believe it was the Romance that hooked me in hard.
As far as bringing the movies to the screen... of COURSE they are FUN.. and it's exciting.. but of COURSE it is not the books. Nothing can compare... and like I have said before.. the only movie that I feel that has ever been better than the books is the Notebook. ( no surprise there.. :)
For some reason... I always enter the theater believing that I am going to LOVE the movie more than ever.. and then I am let down a little.
This movie surprised me.
It was better than I expected... but had me thinking a lot too.
The whole weekend I WANTED to LOVE it and think it was FABULOUS.. so why couldn't I?
The 6 things that really bugged me:
(1)
The make-up and contacts.
PLEASE PEOPLE. My heck.
The Vampires make-up and contacts were so laughable it was distracting to me.
I know they are vampires. You can lay off the clown make up and laser beam contacts.
( Watch Vampire Diaries to see how to make a Vampire. )
(2)
The werewolf scene. I don't even have to tell you which scene it was.. because if you saw the movie.. you know.
I was EMBARRASSED. It was that bad.
We were ALL laughing so hard .. and it wasn't supposed to be funny.
Having the voice over on the wolves made it sound Transformer-ish.
I have heard many people say " That's the only way they could have done it. " Bull.
Call George Lucas... and he can show you how it is done.. or have the wolves transform back into human form to chat. Whoever thought this looked good should be fired.
(3)
This movie was initially rated R.. and I could tell.
When I first read Breaking Dawn.. I proclaimed that they could NEVER make this into a movie.
It would be too weird.. and it would be rated R.
In the last week I have been defending the movie.. and it's almost R rating.. assuring people that Stephenie Meyer was producing it.. and it would be good in her hands.
While I feel it could have been worse.. it was as close to R as you can get.
There was a side shot of her breast... and the Gore and images at the end were more than Disturbing.
I realize that I am more sheltered and sensitive to this kind of thing.. so for most of the world.. you will think it's very tame.. and I am weird for my sensitivity to it... but I can't recommend it to anyone.
And that sucks.
I had many women and young women come up to me in church yesterday and ask if they should see it.. and it was with a heavy heart that I said "no." I do not feel as though I can recommend it.
Makes me sad.
(4)
The lack of Romance.
I am all about the Romantic lines... the gushy stuff.. the connection.
I didn't feel it much. I think back to the honeymoon... and I feel like they were so worried about the sex scene being appropriate.. they forgot about focusing on the passion and love Bella and Edward had for each other. It killed me. I knew this would be hard to show.. because much of the book is people's "thoughts" -- but if I had never read the books.. I am not sure I would still understand what Bella is doing with Edward. Bella showed more emotion with Jacob.. than on her honeymoon.
I was waiting for the love, sweet lines from the book, and passion.
It just wasn't there.
(5)
The scene with Bella and Jacob Dancing at the reception.
Yes... it was happy to have this scene.. but they were a little TOO CLOSE for comfort.
A few times it looked as though Jacob was going to be kissing on her neck.. and I was like:
" Where is Edward?? Come get this dog off of your bride!!" Seriously!!
Again.. fail.
" Where is Edward?? Come get this dog off of your bride!!" Seriously!!
Again.. fail.
(6)
They shouldn't have made 2 movies. I know they want to milk as much money as they can out of this franchise.. but I felt robbed and frustrated. Everyone has their own opinion of this.. but the whole story truly could have been accomplished in one movie.. and could have been extra long. ( maybe 2 1/2 hours. ) I am sure I would have enjoyed it more.. because movies should end not so dark and depressing. I forgot all about the first half of the movie.. and felt like I watched a biography on Anorexia.
Over the weekend... I went back on my blog and read my old review on the book.
Most everything I adored about the book is all in the 2nd part. Would I be OK if they stopped the book where they did in the movie?? NO. I would have been MAD! Well.. let's just say.. that all weekend.. I had images of Kristen Stewart's gross - anorexic - emaciated body going through my mind. It was disturbing. It got so bad on Saturday.. I had to sit down and re-read the next chapter in the book after these scenes--just so I wouldn't feel so gross about what I just saw. It has haunted me... and even though we read about these things... seeing the blood drinking.. and staring at her grotesque body over and over and over was more than I wanted to see. I feel as though there was 45 minutes of them showing us how much this baby was killing her.
We get it.
*********************
Ok... so I don't leave you all on a grumpy complaining note.. I will share the things I loved about the story protrayed on the big screen.
Charlie. The scenes with Bella and her Dad were always teary to me. I love the relationship they had.. and wished it would have started the movie with Bella telling Charlie about the Engagement.
The acting.. the special effects and etc.. were all much better with this movie. As far as cheesy-ness goes... you can't ask me.. because I like me some cheese.
Just not over-kill like the wolf part.
Just not over-kill like the wolf part.
I LOVED LOVED the Wedding. It was beautiful, funny and perfect. The wedding toasts and humor from Bella's friends was a perfect add in. I was enjoying myself much.
I liked the imprinting scene with Jacob and Renesmee. It didn't end up creepy looking like I thought it could be. I loved that Jacob could see what she would look like as a young woman. Brilliant call.
I loved the banter between Rosalie and Jacob. Wished there was more in it.. because I loved that part in the book.. but it was enough to know that they didn't care for each other.
LOVED the group discussing baby names.. and them not caring for of the name Renesmee.
Brilliant.
I liked seeing Stephenie Meyer attending the Wedding. It's just fun seeing her inside her story.
I loved that the movie stuck really close to the story in the book.
I wonder if it's because Stephenie Meyer is producing these last 2 movies herself??
I LOVED Bella's transformation into a Vampire.
When it showed her body becoming whole again. Seeing her hair and face regain color, the memories of her life flash before her eyes.. and the venom go through her filled me with excitement and hope.
And then it ended.
Boo!!!
We wait again.. for one more year.
***********************
Out of all of my friends I have discussed the movie with.. only about 6 out of about 15 felt like I did.
The rest of my friends LOVED it and thought it was FABULOUS and the BEST movie of them all.
This was only MY opinion.
I am sensitive to the content.. and would not advise any child under the age of 17 to see it.
If you go... let me know.. I would love to hear your thoughts!
Today I am Grateful for:
Normal Child Birth
Being Passionate. It's fun.
Stephenie Meyer for telling this story that I love.
Girlfriends that made the weekend the best.. full of lots of fun and laughter.
All of you that have been Positive and happy for me and my love of this stuff.. even if it isn't your cup of tea.
18 comments:
I am heading to the theater right now to go watch this. I have been told by many that I will laugh my head off at the cheesiness.
I have also had several parents try and talk me into taking Morgan to see it. I always watch movies PG-13 before allowing my kids to watch them and with this movie especially. We have had conversations about the subject and she has read the book, but I hate how Hollywood has to push the limits on gore, sex or explosions for that matter. Living in Vegas sometimes I feel like I'm the odd duck, sheltering my kids too much. I'm glad that you spoke your mind and made me feel less like an odd duck. *hugs*
Although going alone to see this movie, probably makes me and even odder duck. *Quack!*
You already know what my opinion is...
We've talked about this several times. And I think I realized why it bothered me so much that Edward was willing to share Bella with Jacob (although thankfully it was never mentioned in the movie) - you hit the nail on the head! Edward and Bella were married. Jacob should have been completely out of the picture, but he wasn't. He was still hanging around, cuddling with Bella, dancing with her at the wedding, and giving his obnoxious input on her sex life. It BUGGED! I was like, how much longer do we have to drag out this love triangle? They're married! To me it should have been the final nail in the coffin (no pun intended).
Anyways, I also agreed with your assessment that they spent waaaaay too much time focusing on Bella in a perpetual state of near-death and less on the relationships. This movie could have used a lot more levity and comic relief to help lighten some of the tension. This should have been one movie, and they should have trimmed all the excess and unnecessary stuff. Here's hoping BD pt. 2 is better!
As for the love scenes, I was surprised to hear everyone say they saw breasts and maybe even a nipple. I thought it was pretty tame, but then again I'm used to watching R rated movies so maybe I'm a little more desensitized to those kinds of things. I was hoping for some Edward butt! LOL!
Thanks for sharing your review - I agreed with most of it. Either way it was still fun to get together with everyone and do dinner, games, etc. You're officially the hostess with the mostess!
Ann I appreciate your opinion - I don't agree, but I appreciate your thoughts!!
The one thing I whole heartedly agree with is the wolf talking scene. It was Squeeze Cheese for sure - ha ha. But it made me laugh.
I loved the "morning after" and Bella thinking about their lovemaking. Just like in the book she was so happy, thinking about the glorious night she had been waiting so long for.
The honeymoon was risque, but we all knew it was going to be, I thought it was done pretty darn tastefully while showing romance and still infusing Edward being scared he was going to kill her (definately something he was worried about in the book).
I loved when they jumped off the waterfall and she closed her eyes which said "I trust you". They were playful and sweet.
The baby scene was definately gory - he had to bite that baby out. There were kids in our theater - Kids should definately NOT see this movie and young teens either!!
Did you love the music? I did.
The last movie "Eclipse" was my least favorite of all the movies. This was my favorite - I thought the make up was much much better, except Rosalie.
Glad you enjoyed some of it! I can't wait for part 2. Then what will we do?
I saw the Hunger Games preview and I am thinking those movies are going to be very violent - so not sure that is going to be my next favorite???
P.S. I won't be on my Computer much so Happy Happy Thanksgiving!!
Dang it! I haven't seen the movie yet, but I couldn't resist reading your review. :)
Love hearing your thoughts ladies!
Whether we agree or not discussion is good and fun!
It made me sad in Young Women's yesterday to hear how many of them saw this movie. One thought it was dumb, but had a lot of fun laughing at the wolf dogs (like me, ha!) but another saw it twice and said it was the best Twilight movie yet! Hmmm. I was very vocal about how inappropriate I thought the honeymoon scenes were...yeah, we know they're married, but we really don't need to see so much flesh, especially when the target audience is young girls!
I actually liked the makeup and hair color better in this movie. I enjoyed watching it, but I didn't LOVE it.
The final scene was my favorite!
I REALLY felt ripped off when they didn't show the Hunger Games trailer before Breaking Dawn...come on, what's up with that?
Very interesting review.
Glad you were honest.
Not sure about seeing it.
I would like to see Stephanie Meyers in her own book though. That is kinda cool.
Glad you had a great weekend. Sounds like you have a ton of great friends.
I like that you included that Breaking Dawn poster at the end! I've been wondering what she looks like as an awake vampire and now I know!
I saw the movie on Saturday and I liked it more than I thought I would. I totally agree with you about the lack of romance between Bella and Edward on their honeymoon. That was disappointing. It was all about the sex and not so much the romance.
And I definitely think it could have been less graphic, both in terms of sex and violence. I've had disturbing images of Bella going through my mind too. But overall, I liked it and was happy that it stayed so true to the book. I can't wait to see the rest next year!
I didn't mind the werewolf scene too much. It was kind of weird but I think it was realistic to what was in the book.
Oh, and I loved the wedding too! I got teary! I'm corny!
Never read any of the books or seen the movies. I just never got sucked in.
I had a lot of the same thoughts as you - liked it, but didn't LOVE it. The wolf scene was the WORST! We also were laughing about it. They did stick very close to the book though, just wish it were all in one movie.
I felt pretty much the same way you did. The books totally captivated me, but I think it's because I could escape and create Edward and all this romance in my own mind. Somehow seeing it on the big screen makes it seem much more cheesy and kinda ridiculous. But I still enjoyed the movie. And I loved that Kristen Stewart had more than one facial expression in this one.
I am not a fan of the books. But I have seen all of the movies because my son is. I took my sister to the movie on Saturday night for her birthday.
I share most of your dislikes. The whole sex scene on the honeymoon grossed me out. Seeing Edward and Bella "get it on" was not my idea of a good time. There was definetly a lack of romance during that honeymoon. Aside from the sex, it looked more like two good friends on vacation. I also couldn't agree more about the wolf scene.
I have to say this is the best of the Twilight movies. Even the acting was better.
lol! i love gigi's comment "I just never got sucked in." great pun, intended or not! as for me, i'm in the same boat with geege. not gonna read the books, not seeing the movies. my daughter won't on either as well, unless she chooses to after she's grown & moved out. but that's the stance we've taken in our family. LDS writer or not, we don't agree with the premise, nor a lot of the story content (focus on sex & gore). but that's us. :)
I decided to refrain from any mocking until I read your complete review. I am STILL not gonna mock, simply because you were so honest in your review.
I only read the books because someone paid me too. I won't see the movies unless someone pays me A LOT to.
And the beauty is? The differences in opinion is what makes the world a beautiful place!
xoxoxo
As you know, I'm not much of a movie diesector.... I go, enjoy the movie and mostly forget about it. That said, your review was great! I realized as I was driving home that night, why the birth/transformation scene bothered me so much. It was much to close to the experience I had at the hospital with Lis after Ty was born. I never wanted to relive anything close to that again.
Wow! I am late to the comment band wagon on this! So sorry love...Thanksgiving crazy-ness equal less computer time.
I liked your review :) Though I feel this was my favorite movie...in some areas. To be honest, I not sure which movie i would say is my favorite because each one had things i loved and things i hated an cringed on. But, I will say that i felt like their acting was spot on. The emotion in her face when she had to call her dad and convince him she was okay...KStew brought it for me. The tears, the heartache...and then that sweet scene seeing Edward finally feel any kind of happiness for the baby just put a huge smile on my face.
I do not however think this was fitting for children but i 100% agree with Cherie that the love scene was tastefully done. I loved it! And the scene of her remembering back to those moments....i kept thinking, this is why you wait. You wait for the marriage part to be that close because it's so close and intimate that just a single kiss on the shoulder is sexy. And that was beautiful!
The wedding! I LOVED the wedding. Loved the dress. Loved Alice. And seeing Stephenie Meyer there actually made me tear up...yep, I'm cheesy like that LOL
To clear up something that you said in your review....It was released from Summit on twitter from the director that the scene to where Bella and Jacob were dancing was the very last scene ever shot on the whole movie production. He said that emotions for Kristen were every wear and for her saying goodbye as Bella to Jacob was just as much Kristen saying goodbye to Taylor on there last scene to ever be filmed together. So when i saw that scene, that was all i kept thinking..how that was her last moment ever playing Bella and my heart was breaking for her :(
The wolf talking scene...yep...that was the most embarrassing moment but then my friends and i were talking...that was straight from the book and how else could you portray that on film? But, I agree....cheesy!
Rob...oh Rob/Edward....I loved him in that tux! I loved the honeymoon scenes to where she was trying to get something started LOL and then his face during the birth scene....really an truly you should have seen me...I was on the edge of my seat and was in clear shock after seeing her body like that. But Edwards emotions while he was working on her....when he said "come on baby, come one..." that KILLS me! You could just see the raw emotions of his face of losing her....Those whole moments...Wow...really disturbed me. Stayed with me for sure for days!
But, I loved how he smiled when the baby came out...those few seconds of his laugh and smile (even though i could have done without the blood on his face) was a nice small moment for Edward. I always felt like the book was missing a lot of Edward in it, so i was happy to actually see this on the screen.
Wo. This is a book LOL I need to call you!!!!!!! All my love dear!!!!
The more I think about the movie the more I love it! Me and Marion went and saw it again and loved it even more!
I do agree with a lot of what you said. The intimate scenes were a little off and the wolf scene was hard to watch.
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