After four years, four months, and 22 episodes, the saga of “The Twilight” comes to its glorious and highly anticipated conclusion. The final installment of this supernatural romantic comedy series is almost here!
After a long wait, the highly anticipated sequel to “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” premieres today in theaters across the country. If you are in Spain and have yet to see this amazing series, then here is your chance to catch the final movie of this extraordinary saga!
While the English-speaking world was introduced to Stephenie Meyer’s phenomenally successful novels about vampires and werewolves through a cinematic adaptation of “Eclipse,” the rest of the world got to enjoy the saga on the small screen. Now that the films are back in theaters, everyone will get the chance to see these heart-pounding adventures once more. It’s been a long time coming, but “Breaking Dawn – Part 2” feels like it’s been worth the wait.
If you are unfamiliar, “The Twilight Saga” is the story of young vampire Bella (O’ Connor) and her struggle to live a normal life while trying to avoid the clutches of the evil undead. In the first film, Bella’s human mate, Edward (Pitts), comes out of exile to protect her from his brother, Jacob (Lawrence), who wants to force him into an arranged political marriage. The couple runs into all sorts of trouble as they try to keep their relationship a secret from the angry mob that wants to see them dead.
The story picks up three years later as Bella finally learns to embrace her vampire ways and the life of solitude that comes along with being a creature of the night. It’s a bittersweet ending to what has been a phenomenal series, largely due to its stunning use of visuals and outstanding performances — especially from the amazing trio of O’ Connor, Lawrence, and Pitts.
The question on everyone’s mind is: Will “Breaking Dawn – Part 2” be as good as the first movie? After viewing the first film, it’s clear that director David Slade has not wasted any time — and it shows. The story picks right up where we left off and doesn’t miss a single beat. The action continues to intensify as we follow Bella and Edward down a path that is both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. The final confrontation between vampire and werewolf is absolutely stunning, and it ends in an epic battle that will have you on the edge of your seat. The movie is exactly what you’d expect from a David Slade movie — stunning cinematography, fantastic action sequences, and an overall cinematic feel that is both intimate and yet grandiose.
The Cast
While there aren’t any major surprises in regards to the main cast, it’s always exciting to see the same wonderful actors back for another go-around. O’ Connor, Pitts, and Lawrence all returned for this movie, and we couldn’t be more delighted to have them. Here’s a quick rundown of what these talented individuals had to say about reprising their roles for the sequel:
- O’ Connor: “I’m excited to be able to continue exploring this world with this amazing group of people. Even though this was a lot of work, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to portray such an incredible character and explore this fascinating world. I can’t wait to see what happens next!”
- Pitts: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of ‘The Twilight Saga.’ It’s been an extraordinary journey so far, and I’m looking forward to the next phase.”
- Lawrence: “I’m honored to be asked to reprise my role as Jacob. It has been an incredible honor to be a part of this amazing saga and to have worked with such a talented group of people.”
The Premier
While most of the country is celebrating the return of the “Twilight” films, those in Spain are already going to the theaters to view the highly anticipated sequel. For those of you who haven’t heard of this movie yet, allow me to introduce you to “Breaking Dawn – Part 2.”
In “Part 2,” Bella awakens from a three-year coma to find herself unable to move and barely speaking. Edward has been by her side patiently waiting for her to wake up, but he has been keeping a secret — Bella is pregnant! While the rest of the world fears for Bella’s safety, Edward is overjoyed that their child will be a new protector of the vampire species. He makes a plan to tell Bella everything, but before he can, she passes away, leaving him devastated.
With her unexpected death, the series came to a close — for now.
What Is It?
Here’s the skinny on “Breaking Dawn – Part 2”: It’s essentially the conclusion of “The Twilight Saga,” and it picks up three years after the events of “Eclipse.” Bella is now a ghost who has decided to remain behind after her death to protect her child and, of course, the vampires.
While Edward is still determined to protect Bella’s kids, he is a little more wary of Jacob’s influence now that Bella is no longer here to guide him. Knowing that Bella would want her kids to have a normal life, Edward allows them to come out of the protective veil that has shielded them since birth. It’s certainly an interesting twist to the typical vampire/werewolf tale, but it’s a testament to Meyer’s incredible storytelling that makes this even more interesting. The narrative deftly juggles familial loyalty and love with terrifying creatures of the night, resulting in a compelling and at times heart-breaking story. As the tagline suggests, this is “The End Of An Era” for the vampires and werewolves of this world.
As powerful as the finished product is, the story truly shines through in its initial cut — which is coming out today at the domestic box office. While some have criticized this cut for being too clean and lacking the extensive visual effects that the eventual theatrical and home media releases would later boast, this is a criticism that could be levied at any movie these days. While these VFX shots may not be groundbreaking, they do add a layer of polish to an already well-crafted movie. It’s clear that a lot of work went into making “Breaking Dawn – Part 2” as good as it is.
Why Should You See It?
Let’s be honest here. You’re reading this because you’re either a fan of “The Twilight Saga” or you’re dying to see the conclusion to this incredible series. “Breaking Dawn – Part 2” does not disappoint!
Aside from the performances of the amazing trio — O’ Connor, Pitts, and Lawrence — which we’ve discussed above, the stunning visuals and grandiose scale of the storytelling make this movie worth seeing. As stated above, the movie is essentially the conclusion of “The Twilight Saga,” so those of you who have yet to see this series may want to treat yourself by checking it out. The story picks up immediately where we left off in “Eclipse,” so if you’ve seen that one then you know what’s coming next!
Those of you who haven’t yet had the pleasure can still catch a glimpse of the magic that is “The Twilight Saga” with the theatrical release of “Breaking Dawn – Part 2.” While the movie doesn’t receive quite the same level of acclaim as “Eclipse,” it is still a fantastic end to an incredible story, and it’s definitely worth your time. It will satisfy both the fans and the newcomers to this series. While “The Twilight Saga” may be over, its legacy will live on in the hearts of many forever.