The Twilight Saga: New Moon

"You can't trust vampires. Trust me."

After a bloody birthday celebration leaves Bella (Stewart) injured, Edward (Pattinson) and his family leave without a trace. Bella's world is shattered. Every trace of the Cullen family is gone, but Bella cannot let them go. She shuts down and shuts out everyone, including her friends and father, Charlie (Burke).

To appease her father, Bella begins spending time with her old friend Jacob (Lautner). After learning that dangerous situations conjure the image of Edward, Bella purchases motorcycles and convinces Jacob to make them run. Spending time with Jacob makes Bella happy and brings her out of the funk, but Jacob is not what he seems.


A vast improvement on the first film, although the book was still better. I'm sure by this point most people know the basic plot points (whether they want to or not)... such as some members of Jacob's tribe gaining the ability to change into a wolf. But of course, the wolves and vampires can't get along (as was hinted in the first film)... but all want to protect Bella.

The effects and the budget for this film are much greater than the previous film. And director, Chris Weitz, uses actual film techniques to convey points... it is refreshing. My biggest issue with the film is the size of the wolves. I understand that they need to be impressive and capable of attacking and injuring vampires, but do they really need to be huge? They are larger than some of the characters! Why? Closer to the actual size would be appreciated, now they are just laughable.

When I reviewed the first film (Twilight), I was concerned with some casting decisions, such as Taylor Lautner as Jacob, but my fears were for naught. After some time in the gym, and a haircut, Lautner is convincing... when he removes his shirt during the film, the teenage girls in the audience gasp and are completely in love (well, the ones that aren't completely in love with Robert Pattison's Edward).

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) 130 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for some violence and action.
Director: Chris Weitz
Starring: Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan
Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black
Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen
Billy Burke as Charlie Swan
Ashley Greene as Alice Cullen