new moon movie review

I saw New Moon on opening day, and (not surprisingly) I loved it. I’m probably going to go into full-on fangirl mode like I did with the first movie, so here’s a general mish-mash of impressions I was left with. (Spoilers follow. If you haven’t finished reading the books, you’ve been warned.)

• The cinematography is so gorgeous. I cannot express to you how happy I am that this movie is NORMAL colored, not blue-green like Twilight was. ugh, that was so annoying.
• Likewise, the soundtrack this time is so much better. Most of the songs are pretty emo, but that’s the tone of the book, so they make sense. Also, that’s the type of music I seem to listen to the most, so I appreciate the soundtrack.
• Even though I’m Team Edward, I like Jacob a lot more after this movie. Taylor Lautner just *is* Jacob and really brings him to life. I’m so glad they didn’t replace him with a different actor.
• I know most people hate on Kristen Stewart’s acting, but I like her. I think she is way better in NM than in Twilight. Also, I’ve seen her in a few other movies and I’ve liked her in those, too.
• That being said, people hate on Robert Pattinson’s acting too, and I think he does just fine. His character is all tortured and suicidal for 95% of the movie, what do you expect? Although, the early school parking lot scene with Edward and Bella is cute. I like them way more when they’re acting…you know…happy and in love. As opposed to tortured, teen angst woecake. (eh, whatever. I’m just sick of people hating on the actors when they don’t exactly have the greatest dialogue to work with.)
• The way the “time passes” sequence from the book is interpreted is perfect. I really love that part of the book (just the names of the months on each page–some people think it’s stupid, but I thought it was really powerful, whatev). I was hoping they wouldn’t screw it up in the movie, and they totally didn’t. I kind of wish Bella had been crying more in those shots, but she was all zombie-fied, so I’m ok with that.
• I loved all the comedic parts! The “date” with Bella/Jacob/Mike, Jessica’s zombie tirade, Eric’s crying during Romeo & Juliet…also, Alice and Jacob’s exchange is all win.
• The wolves look so good! I’m not a big fan of CGI, but I was impressed with the wolves. Especially the part where the pack takes off running after Laurent and the ground shakes under their weight. Love it!
• One of my favorite scenes is the cliff diving sequence. The underwater shots, combined with the soundtrack, stayed with me. I think it would have been perfect if Bella’s vision of Edward hadn’t been upside down. That seemed kind of goofy. I would have liked it if he had kind of floated over to her and reached out to touch her face, and then Jacob’s arm pulls her away, or something. That would have been prettier, and more symbolic. I think. But I’m just a fan, I don’t make movies, lol.
• The Victoria/wolves sequence, backed by “Hearing Damage” by Thom Yorke, is awesome. When I first listened to the soundtrack, I wasn’t sure which scene would feature the song, but now everytime I listen to the song, I think of that sequence and it gives me the fangirl squees. Just because.
• Michael Sheen as Aro is rather awesomepants. He’s so campy and funny, but also creepy creepster when appropriate. I approve.
• The sparkling is so much better this time! No more sweaty guy Edward, haha. And even though some people seemed grossed out by Rob Pattinson’s not-too-buff appearance, I didn’t mind at all. In his defense–he looks like a normal guy. Really. Sorry to disappoint, but average guys don’t look like Taylor Lautner. That boy is buff and everything, but it’s not necessarily the look that gets me hot and bothered. Also, the boy is 17 and I can’t even go there because UM HE IS 17. (I told you I was Team Edward/Rob.)
• Alice’s vision of Vamp Bella was soooo hokey but I still loved it. She and Edward are just frolicking through the woods, la ti daaa, haha. I half expected to see baby Renesmee toddling alongside them, that would have been rather awful, no? How on earth are they going to DO that for the Breaking Dawn movie? God help us. That, and Jacob imprinting on her as a baby, I shudder to think of it all.
• I loveloveloved the cliffhanger ending. Maybe it’s a ploy for people who haven’t read the books, but I’m a sucker for those Lost-esque, QuickCutToBlack endings. As long as they make some kind of sense.
• Overall, I think Chris Weitz > Catherine Hardwicke as a director. I love Catherine for casting the two leads, but Chris just did such a better job with the aesthetics and overall tone of the film.
• In summary, yes I know most of the movie was super cheesy, but hello, it’s Twilight, not freaking Shawshank Redemption, so I’m ok with the cheese.

SIDEBAR/RANT: I guess I should add, sorry if I’m coming across as stupidly fangirl and annoying–I know the entire media is Twilight-saturated right now and if you’re not a fan, I’m sure you’re just sick of it. But those of us who are fans have fun with it, even though the writing in the books is crappy, even though the general story is ridiculous, it’s fantasy and we like it. I’m really just sick of the diehard haters. Some people can dislike the series/movies but still be amused by them, which is great. But other people are just full-on haters and I find that annoying. No one is making you read the books or watch the movies, so if you loathe them so much, just…don’t read the books again or watch any of the movies. Really easy. I keep seeing comments by people who seem genuinely OFFENDED by the series/movies, which is just ridiculous. I’m offended by plenty of things in life, but come on, really? It is a fictional series of books and movies, get over it now please. Also? The New Moon movie just made $140 million (MILLLLLION) dollars on opening weekend, so Stephenie Meyer/Summit Entertainment are probably laughing all the way to the bank right about now. New Moon is going to make eleventy million by the time its run is over, so seriously…haters to the left.

ok! That’s all I’ve got for now that I can remember…I’m going to see the movie again this week sometime (probably on Black Friday while all the crazies are shopping). I’m looking forward to seeing it again.