When it comes to the Twilight phenomenon, there are many different opinions out there. Some love the story, some don’t. Some think Kristen Stewart is a great actress, while others think she was only ever good as Bella’s sidekick. All hail the newlywed couple, Edward and Bella, for bringing a new era of romance to the big screen!
The sequel to the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn: Part 2, hit theaters today, and some viewers were left a little confused as to what actually happened at the end of the film. In the interest of giving you a clearer picture regarding how certain viewers are feeling, we’ve compiled a list of all the major plot points of the movie and how they rated on IMDb. This analysis won’t cover every aspect of the film, but it should help you understand what parts of Breaking Dawn: Part 2 worked and which parts didn’t.
The Wolf Pack Attack
For fans of the Twilight series, the wolf pack attack is one of the most memorable scenes from the movie. It was absolutely terrifying to see the shape-shifting creatures attack the couple’s daughter, Emmett, as he carries her across the lawn. While the sequence is certainly brutal, it’s also an incredibly dramatic and cinematic moment. In the books, the beasties don’t actually attack, but they are always lurking in the shadows, biding their time until they can pounce on their next victim. In the movie, though, the wolves’ howls can be heard from far away, and it was undoubtedly more terrifying in person.
Emmett’s Transformation
Emmett is Bella’s and Edward’s son, and he’s also a werewolf. Throughout the films, we’ve seen him transform several times, and each time it’s been absolutely astonishing to see. In Breaking Dawn: Part 2, he finally finds peace, at least until he realizes that he has a younger sister, Jane, whom he must protect at all costs. After making a deal with the other werewolves to not hurt humans, he turns into a tigress and goes on a killing spree, mercilessly slaughtering everyone in her path. It’s one of the most shocking moments in the movie, and it certainly won’t be the last you’ll see of Emmett. He’s definitely becoming a fan favorite.
Rocking The Baby Shower
If you’ve ever seen a romantic comedy, you know how important it is to have fun at a baby shower. And who doesn’t love to have a beer or six poured right on the occasion of the new parent’s big day? In Breaking Dawn: Part 2, we get to see Edward, Bella, and their daughter, Renesmee, celebrate their engagement and the upcoming arrival of their baby girl. After the happy couple gives their daughter her first sip of wine, an uncorked bottle lands on the cake stand, and chaos ensues with everyone laughing and having fun. It’s a beautiful moment that fans of the Twilight series will enjoy watching multiple times over.
The Culling
One of the most talked-about scenes in the Twilight saga is the gruesome Cullen family “culling.” For fans of the series, this is when the shape-shifting creatures (the werewolves) go on a rampage, killing off all the humans in their path. In Breaking Dawn: Part 2, we get to see what happens after the Culling. While most of the film focuses on Bella and Edward’s quest to keep their daughter safe from the monsters, it is crucial to remember that the Culling was a family affair. After the couple’s marriage is threatened, they must go on the lam to evade the werewolves, which leads to a tense standoff as everyone tries to outrun the creatures. The Culling is definitely one of the most shocking scenes in the Twilight series, but it is also one of the most action-packed. This scene will keep fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.
Another Daughter
Bella is a strong, independent female character, often putting her own desires aside for the good of her family and community. One of the themes of the Twilight series is the importance of family, especially since Bella’s father was her world. In Breaking Dawn: Part 2, we see the character going through yet another devastating loss, as her father William kills her dog for protecting her from danger. After her parents’ deaths, Bella becomes the matriarch of the household, raising her younger sisters, Renesmee and Emmett, while also taking care of her mischievous younger brother, Jacob. This part of the series definitely highlights Bella’s strength and resiliency, as she continues to put her needs and desires aside for the good of her family.
The Wedding And The New Baby
The wedding of Edward and Bella, as well as the birth of their baby, Renesmee, serve as the ultimate high point of the Twilight series. For fans of the books, the cliffhanger at the end of Breaking Dawn will leave you craving more. However, it’s important to remember that the film is called Part 2 for a reason. As exciting as the end of the books is, it is crucial to remember that it is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of a new era for Edward and Bella, as well as their growing family.
The wedding marks the beginning of Bella’s new life as both a wife and a mother. While it is undoubtedly a joyous occasion, it is also one that is filled with loss and grief. After the ceremony, as the newlyweds look out at their guests, Bella cries, “I do! I do!” Because of the symbolism of her choosing Renesmee to be her daughter’s name, this is one of the most powerful scenes in the entire Twilight series. It also foreshadows the incredible sacrifice Bella will make to ensure her family’s survival (something that will be repeated several more times).
Final Comments
If you’re interested in reading more about what critics thought of the movie or the series in general, check out our list of the top 100 critics’ reviews on IMDb. We’ve broken it down into categories to make it easy for you to find the perfect review for your needs.
Based on the ratings, we can see that fans of the Twilight series seem to have more fun than critics did. The movie holds a 7.2 on the overall scale, with the most critical reviews, as usual, coming from Sundance, which had the highest rating on the site with an 8.2. While fans may have had high expectations for this movie, it seems that they got more than they bargained for. We can only hope that the next installment is even more disappointing to critics than this one was. And if not, well, we’ve still got Breaking Dawn: Part 1.