Rated: PG-13
Run time: 115 min.
Directed by: Bill Condon
Stars: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner
A truly incredible work of cinematography, director Bill Condon goes above and beyond to attempt to recreate Stephenie Meyer’s descriptions in her final book of the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn. The movie brings the audience into the Cullen’s house, into the woods and into the meadow where Edward and Bella have spent many magical moments together. Condon’s cinematography does a lack a bit of finesse from beginning to end and could have smoother transitions to and from scenes, but even despite his lack of finishing touches, the movie still leaves the audience in an awed, satisfied state of being.
The movie begins where the previous movie ended, as the once mortal Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is transformed into an immortal vampire. “We’re the same temperature now,” Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) remarks upon his first encounter with his “newborn” wife. The suspense escalates as Edward asks Bella if she would like to see her daughter, Renesmee (Mackenzie Foy). While Bella is holding Renesmee in her arms, she finds out that Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) has imprinted on her daughter. She is furious at Jacob and attempts to beat him up, but Jacob reminds her that he has no control over his werewolf instincts. Inevitably, Edward, Bella and Renesmee begin on an infinite adventure together. The only problem is Renesmee is growing too quickly due to the fact that she is half immortal, half mortal, and they fear that time will not be their greatest ally. When their cousin Irina comes to make amends with the Cullen’s, she happens across Bella, Renesmee and Jacob in the woods. Believing the Cullen’s have created an immortal child, she turns to the Volturi for aid. When the Volturi decides to dissipate the Cullen’s threat, Alice Cullen (Ashley Greene) and Jasper Hale (Jackson Rothbone) vanish leaving only a simple note behind, and leave all of the Cullen’s in desperation as they wonder how they will ever counter an attack from the Volturi.
Hats off to Stewart’s make-up artist, who achieved the description supplied by Stephenie Meyer’s bestselling novel, making Stewart look both stunning and seductive. In previous movies, Stewart could be considered awkward, but still somewhat attractive. This movie on the other hand, relieved all sides of the awkward mortal Bella and instead made her a breathtakingly beautiful and appealing character.
Being the finale of the series it could not have done a better job at leaving the audience happy at the ending of the movie, sending Bella and Edward into their little piece of forever.
