I don't care whether it is intended for tweens or what religion the author is- the movie was entertaining. The only downfall (if you wanna call it that) is that if you haven't seen the first film it may not be as clear as you'd like it to be. Some people thought that The Dark Knight was the same way (which is ridiculous to me, bets movie ever), but I think New Moon does a good job continuing the story well. There are some flash back scenes to the first movie though.This movie plays more as an Epic than a chick flick. Biggest reason for that, Director Chris Weitz. This is the guy who made THE GOLDEN COMPASS(waste of the 8 dollars in the theater) and ABOUT A BOY(which I really liked). The action scenes are more stylized, unlike Twilight Director Catherine Hardwicke's unrealistic fight sequences. I also like his "earth tones" rather than Hardwicke's purples and blues. The look of the film makes it more Lord of the Rings. Which I guess is good, apparently the next film, ECLIPSE, is the real epic-war film of the bunch? I haven't read New Moon or Eclipse so I can't really comment on how accurate it was to the book. I read Twilight and it is pretty accurate so I assume since the same screenwriter that adapted TWILIGHT did NEW MOON, it is accurate.
I thought the film would have made more an effort to make people chose sides (over the two main dude characters). Maybe that is supposed to happen more in movie-3. The most shocking thing about this movie, is that is made me actually like Kristen Stewart. She is getting tons of roles as of late (before and after her Twilight exposure) but I hadn't really liked her since one of her first movies, aside Jodie Foster in PANIC ROOM. After TWILIGHT (actually it was filmed before TWILIGHT), ADVENTURELAND came out and I thought she was fantastic in it. Now, a fan of her work in New Moon, I am interested to see her next roles (reprising her Bella in ECLIPSE, but also playing JOAN JETT in a biopic).
The movie does a better job in this installment to draw you in, investing in the characters. Especially with how they ended it, you want to know what comes next. Luckily people can read to find out. I have a few novels to finish before I can find out. I am sure ECLIPSE'S june 2010 release date will come before I finish it.
It dominated the box office this weekend. I did find extreme pleasure in knowing that THE DARK KNIGHT still holds the top spot as biggest opening weekend ever. Thank god!
I have to agree with your assessment Patrick. I too favored Chris Weitz to Catherine Hardwick. As someone who has read the books, I must say that the writers did a great job keeping the core elements of the book in the screenplay. I have to also commend the writers for their contribution to making Bella and Kristen more likable. The book focuses a lot of effort on Bella being broken and whiney where the movie places it's emphasis on how she puts herself back together.
ReplyDeleteI must say, I kind of have a love hate relationship with the fact that Summit is changing directors again for the third movie. I guess we will have to wait and see...