Thanks for checking out our The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Review
Genre: Fantasy/Romance/Thriller
Directed by: David Slade
Staring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene, Peter Facinelli
Released: 30 June 2010
THE GENERAL IDEA
As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob – knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?
THE GOOD
Right of the bat, I’ll say this: Eclipse is the best entry of the Twilight franchise so far. Director David Slade somehow manages to make Eclipse almost a decent, “ok” film. He delivers by stirring us away from the boring/draggin’ Edward/Bella stare/love fest and adding a much needed injection of vampire/werewolve action. I also noted that this entry, in deed, was more fun and was a bit more relaxed; it wasn’t as lazy as the first one, or as stiff as the second one. Eclipse seemed to be aware of some of it’s silly content. It even made fun of itself in some spots. I really enjoyed this.
The action was more frequent and much better. In this one we get chases in the forest, vampires fighting amongst themselves, and of course, werewolves fighting vampires. For the guys, this will be a most welcomed addition. The effects look better than in previous films. The climax battle was pretty cool. I was looking forward to watching vampires and werewolves battle it out in this one, and I was not disappointed. Although some of the shots were cutting too fast, I enjoyed it.
Something else I really liked in this one was how some of the supporting cast was given some time to shine. With every film, I find myself really enjoying the Cullen family interactions. I really enjoy when they are given screen time. This time around, the movie includes some most welcomed flashbacks sequences, were some of the Cullen members explain how they became vampires. Here’s were Jackson Rathbone and Nikki Reed shine. These scenes worked for me.
THE BAD
Although it’s the best one so far and it’s a vast improvement for the franchise, Eclipse is still a pretty bad film. Once again the plot is just too stupid, and the acting is really underwhelming. I still don’t understand how these movies, that make millions of dollars and have a great following, are not done with a better effort. The should take their time, and deliver a film that fans really deserve. They keep making them quickly and cheap. Fans deserve better.
What can I tell you about the acting? Everyone seems more relaxed and having fun, but in the end, the acting is still pretty bad. Add to that a dialogue that is mostly stale and ridicioulous. Kristen Stewart, at last, smiles a couple of times. Robert Pattinson, looks more relaxed in his vampire makeup. And, Taylor Lautner is shirtless almost the whole movie. At least, I believe that of the three, he’s the one that has matured the most. I enjoyed how his character has become more cocky.
I also want to add that Bryce Dallas Howard is just horrible in this one. Her red-haired vampire, Victoria, is just a waste. Even the hair looked suspicious. I believe Anna Kendrick was really underused in this one; she basically has about two scenes.
OVERALL
Overall, Eclipse is a great improvement over the two previous entries. It’s the best one of the franchise so far. Director David Slade manages to deliver a Twilight movie that seems more complete and focused. It’s less boring than the other ones, thanks to some doubled action and some pretty nice flashback sequences. Also, thanks has to be given to what seems to resemble an existent plot. All that said, Eclipse is still a bad film. It still includes some horrible dialogue, a stupid plot, and some lazy acting. I still believe fans should ask more from these films and their makers.
If you’re not into Twilight, I wouldn’t recommend you watching this. If you are, then you must see this. Twilight hardcore fans will not be dissapointed; this is the best one so far. As for the rest, you can skip this one without shame.
I give The Twilight Saga: Eclipse a 3 out of 10
Okay… I saw this over the weekend with a friend of mine who wanted to go, and I was pretty much pissed off the whole time… I really tried to fall asleep, but I couldn’t as the horrible acting and pathetic, unintelligent dialogue kept angering my mind into complete alertness. “How many times can these ridiculous kids keep pining over each other before something actually happens?” I thought. It was only during the last five minutes (when the battle took place) that I felt like I was in a movie theater again – being somewhat entertained. The rest of the time, I just felt like I was back in high school surrounded by all of the people I wanted to get away from.
And I love how the movie “promotes abstinence” while parading Taylor Lautner around shirtless for its 2-hour duration (2 hours that easily seem like 3 or 4). “Here ya go, teenage girls. Please wait until marriage, but in the mean time, use your imaginations, and become sexually frustrated.”
I apologize for the rant… In short, 3 out of 10 is far too kind.
Are you rating the film, or your existing predisposition to already hate anything about it??
I’m rating the film. Haven’t considered any of them to be well-made films – the first one’s action looked like muppets were hired as stunt doubles (but even I can admit that the second was a step up from the first – both story and graphics). However, this one was just a total step back. Horrible, repetative, campy dialogue and ONE action scene (one good one anyway) do not make for a good movie. Here’s my rating… 1 out of 10 – because that’s about the percentage of the movie that didn’t have me begging for sweat release from the 2-hour torture.
Also, even though it was mostly at the behest of a friend that I come to this movie, I don’t go to films unless I believe that I will somewhat enjoy them. I’m not a film critic so I have that luxury. I was hoping that this would be (as the trend had suggested) slightly better. It was a let-down.
I actually quite enjoy the first Twilight, that’s because i did not read the book. But now i read the whole book and the second movie New Moon is not what i expected. I haven’t seen Eclipse yet, i thought of seeing it, but no one want to go and watch it with me and i don’t feel like watching it alone. Even my Girlfriend don’t want to watch it, she say that she will wait until it come out on BluRay.
I’ll see this one when it hits DVD.
My mother is a total “twihard” and thinks that the “Team Jacob” and “Team Edward” thing is somehow more than just a passing gag. So, to be nice to her, I actually go to see these movies with her when they come out… even though I dislike the franchise.
I have to say that this one was, as you say, the best of the bunch. I’d say that it was the best of the bunch by far and wide. It was much more focused and actually did have the story — and I actually enjoyed the flashback sequences. If they took away Stewart’s wooden acting, or at least kept all that really bad and really backward romance crap out of the way, I think I would have actually enjoyed it.
So… I think the 3 out of 10 is a bit harsh. I’d give it a 5 or 6 out of 10.
I haven’t liked this series at all. The acting from the three main characters has been horrid, the storyline too dragged out on the wrong parts and i just can’t get emotionally invested in the love triangle (especially with how big a douche edward is, why would you go for him?). I went to see the third installment solely for the vamp/werewolf action that was promised and the shirtless guys running around and with zero expectations for the rest of it. Having said that, I actually enjoyed myself watching it. Yes, it is till craptastic, the dialogue isn’t the sharpest and the acting was not oscar material, but i found myself smiling and laughing at times, sympathizing with the characters at others and really having a good time through most of the film. Getting to see the interaction between the Cullen’s was a treat that I quite enjoyed and wish there had been more, just as I wish that the wolves would’ve gotten the same treatment.
Overall, I think it was an ok movie, far superior than the other 2 and a fun flick to watch with friends so you can ohh and ahh when required and laugh and scoff at it when it gets too ridiculous.
I give it a 5/10
I’ll probably go see this one even though I was a bit underwhelmed by the last one.
I’m not into Twilight that much, but I’m surprised that I liked it. The film realizes how campy it is and doesn’t take itself too seriously. So that part I liked. If anything the audience participation at my theater made it worth the time. It was still too long though. 6 out of 10.
I saw this movie on opening day and the energy of the crowd was amazing. Everyone was happy and we all talked like we knew each other. I know us fans get made fun of so it was nice to be surrounded by “my people”. There was a radio station there giving away prizes and it was tons of fun. I loved the movie and it was nice to see a couple back stories weaved in.
I’m not into Twilight, but I understand your enthusiasm. I went to the Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee a few weeks ago. So many amazing bands and great comedians. So yea, I can relate to the “energy” you speak of. I had so many conversations with complete strangers who all shared the same emotions and excitement. There’s really no better feeling than to meet up with thousands of people you don’t know and share the same experience. Good for you if you had a good time. Fuck all the hate, if you enjoyed it, that’s all that counts.
If it as bad as you say it is, which I’m sure it is, that says something about the youth of America especially the girls in this case. They don’t care about the things film lovers care about. They only care about visually seeing what they read. Its sad really. This whole series should be called Twatlight.
I’m no twilight fan and not defending it but let the girls have there fun with this one… I mean how many movies come along that get all the nerds of the world crazy a la twilight fans… lots.
You guys give them shit yet you act like dick wads when star trek or star wars is announced and you use words like “star wars raped my childhood”, etc when its not good. Normal people make fun of you, you just don’t notice or care. And I’m pretty sure the girls make fun of the guys when halo, star wars, strek, etc come out; the difference is they don’t go onto a blog and bitch about it.
Yes, its incredibly sad because the acting is dreadful but who cares. Honestly. Give it a break and let the girls have their fun with this. Guys obsess over Princess Leigh or whatever, so let them obsess over edward and werewolf boy.
It’s a review. He can’t “give it a break”
Sounds more like you are upset that he reviewed it or assume that he should change his opinion because the fans are going to like it anyways?
And people who attack the character of someone’s choice in films should also be called twats then.
So a “film lover” is never anticipating a story they already love being presented visually? That’s pretty shallow.
Rodney…. what in the hell are you talking about?
I was commenting on Jon’s remark, that’s why its under his post. Not Francisco’s. I wasn’t criticizing the review at all, its his. I’m criticizing the belligerent attack this franchise receives from hypocritical readers who haven’t even seen the movies. If you want to start talking about opinions, look at Jon’s post. He hasn’t even seen the movies and he’s generalizing about the state of American youth. Are you kidding? And for all the movies many, many faults, there are some decent parts to it.
I’m not upset he reviewed and I’m not asking him to change anything about his review. Get it straight. Or get a new commenting system because it seems the execs don’t even know how it works.
And its sort of funny the way you go on a little bender over my opinion, which is in fact not opinion but actual truth, yet you completely overlooked and didn’t ready yourself to crush any and all for having an opinion without even seeing the movie, i.e.: Jon.
Way to go budday, keepin it real I see.
32r2 and uhu…
Actually I have seen the first two movies therefore I’m not generalizing anything. I’m simply saying that certain movies, such as this one, cater to a younger generation, more specifically pre-pubescent girls squealing every time Jacob takes of his shirt. They are not interested in the quality of the script, the acting, or dialogue. After seeing the first two films nothing is really drawing me back to see the third. I’ll probably just wait to rent it and watch it with my wife. Although I haven’t read the books my wife has and she says the movies don’t fully represent the emotions, thoughts, and situations described by Meyer’s.
In regards to the Star Wars and Star Trek comment I have to laugh. I’m sorry but you cannot compare Twilight to Star Wars and Star Trek. Star Wars is simply amazing. The original three films are staples in American pop culture and nothing will change that (let it be known that I don’t deny the huge success of Twilight and its place in pop culture). There is so much more to the story of Star Wars than Twilight. There are philosophical, religious, psychological, historical, and political meanings ingrained in Star Wars. I can easily make connections between Ancient Rome and Star Wars. There are shows on the History Channel which explain the meaning and the world of the franchise. C-3P0 and R2-D2 are in the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. My senior year in high school I took an English elective called Myth, Legend, and Bible and at the end of the year we watched all three Star Wars. We then analyzed several aspects of the story and discussed its deeper meanings and connections to other things. Twilight does not provide anything like that. Star Wars will always have a much deeper meaning as a film series than Twilight. That is fact not opinion. (Even though I’m not a Star Trek fan I respect the series and thought J.J Abrams film was very good.)
As for the girls let them have their movie I honestly don’t care. Its not for me its for them. However, I still have the right to my opinion. Also, how I chose to attach labels shouldn’t matter because its a joke. When did people become so up tight? I’m not going to hide my opinion or sugar coat my thoughts.
Jon, you haven’t seen THIS movie.
You can’t assume that the same rules apply because you saw the first two.
I have tried to post the same comment in response to Rodney’s last one to me three and it hasn’t been allowed. Either there is something wrong or there is censorship going on.
Yes I haven’t seen it but you’re own writer said it was a crappy movie. I’m stating my opinions and thoughts from HIS review. It’s clearly evident from the first paragraph of “The Bad” section. Even if Eclipse is better then the first two films viewers aren’t getting quality movies plain and simple. Harry Potter doesn’t seem to have this problem.
The most time I have devoted to this glorified soap opera is the post that you’re reading right now. No regrets, since the BEST of the franchise earns a 3/10!!