I’ve been working my butt off this week and even though I really shouldn’t have taken the afternoon off to see Eclipse, I simply HAD to before the holiday weekend rolled around. I told myself it was kind of “work” in the name of “blog research” to make myself feel less guilty. I arrived at the theater frazzled with fingers flying over my Blackberry keyboard, but fully tricked out in my Team Edward baseball tee. In broad daylight. On a Thursday. If any of you happen to have thought I was “cool”, I completely proved you wrong yesterday- standing there on Tremont Street, a grown woman of 30 years wearing a shirt proclaiming her love for a 17 year old fiction vampire. Sometimes I even shake my head at myself in disgust.
My friend Sarah and I though by going at 3:30 we’d avoid the chatty, screaming teens- and we were wrooooong. But despite the constant chatter behind us the movie totally rocked. By far the best one yet. This director captured the vibe of the books better than any of the previous ones- with a little more depth and darkness and a lot more passion. And he somehow managed to direct Kristen Stewart in a way that she seemed far less annoying and awkwardly awful than she did in New Moon. I remember wanting to jump through the screen and throttle her if she did the huffing/pouting/lip biting thing one more time, but in this one I never got that feeling. Her wig, however, was tragic and a smidge distracting. Actually, all the wigs/hair/makeup were distracting due to the stylists’ ridiculous heavy hand. It’s like “Okay, put down the white pace powder now. We get it. Their dead”.
But lets get down to it. Team Edward or Team Jacob? Rob looked mighty fine in Eclipse (although he would look mighty fine in a garbage bag)- he even was able to pull off the skinny tie look without me balking, which is a feat. He makes a great Edward, physically, and I find his restrained portrayal of the brooding vampire to be intriguing, but man do the teen girls LOVE them some Taylor Lautner! Homeboy comes on screen and it’s a deafening howl of hormones! I remember in the books not feeling a whole lot of pull from Jacob, but Taylor certainly adds a warmth, sweetness (and a heck of a six pack) to the character in a way that kind of (KIND OF) makes me partially Team Jacob. His intensity in the film is really engaging and he makes Rob look a bit wimpy (physically and as an actor). He makes you understand why Bella is having a hell of a hard time picking between the two fellas, although I agree with Sarah when she says she wants a t-shirt that says “Team Bella is a Whiny B*tch and Doesn’t Deserve Either One of Them”. The love triangle story is compelling, and while I could do without the obvious “don’t have sex until your married” subplot/lecture, they made this film a bit sexier. Well, as sexy as a PG-13 movie penned by a Mormon for 13 year olds can get.
The plot moves really swiftly, sticks to the parameters of the book and the action scenes are good enough that I think guys might actually like the film and not be more inclined to get a root canal than take their girlfriends/wives to it. The newborn clan on vampires are great, especially the gorgeous fella playing Riley, but I thought that Bryce Dallas Howard was miscast as Victoria. Her face is too wholesome and sweet to convey that her character is such a scary bad ass. There are some cheesy parts (it’s Twilight after all), but I think I maybe only groaned once or twice- far less than the other movies. I’m positive the teens behind us thought Sarah and I were lame old hags with our commentary like “Christ Edward, you’re a millionaire, get your undead butt down to Tiffany’s” when we see Bella’s engagement ring. But overall my expectations were surpassed and I really enjoyed it- even is my stressed out state. I of course am going to go back for a second viewing with some other friends, and perhaps I’ll have a more interesting review then, but until then Eclipse get’s two big thumbs up from this Twihard!
Love Jacob and think Taylor Lautner was just beyond perfect for the role. I hate Rob Pattinson’s portrayal of Edward, which kills me because he’s SUCH a good actor (llike in ‘How to Be’ where he just blew it out of the park!). I tried watching New Moon for a second time and couldn’t because it was oh-so boring. Glad to hear this one is the best so far!
Have a good holiday!
Alaina
eek! didnt actually read it in case of any spoilers. Seeing it tonight. so excited. maybe a little too excited for my age:)
Thanks for the review! I had the same problems with the first two, so I’m glad to hear that about this.
I shared a lot of your thoughts when I reviewed the movie as well! Great minds and all I guess…:)
I thought this movie was the best one yet, Kristen Stewart managed to be minally less annoying (although I would totally buy your friend’s shirt–it’s still hard to fathom why these two dudes are panting over her) and I am still suffering from Taylor-Lautner-induced deafness. Especially when they kissed. Eeek. Although I think Eclipse is the book where I felt for Jacob the most, probably because we got to see a lot of it from his point of view, I was kinda annoyed with the way he was being so damn stubborn and all, “I know you love me. JUST. ADMIT. IT.” I mean, jeez, dude.
Overall I enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to the next installment.
Ha! I loved your post! I too: am 30, Team Edward (although I agree with your Team Jacob stance), wore my T.E. shirt to the movie last night. Unfortunately the restaurant that my friends and I went to before the movie started was late so we walked in after the movie had started. When the parking lot scene with Jacob came on, I whispered to my girlfriend, “I wonder if they showed Jacob before this?” Judging by the booming entrance music and the girls’ swoon (yes, everyone in the theater reacted)…that gave me my answer. (Also, everyone cheered at the exchange scene when Jacob had his shirt off. hubba, hubba.)
I did like Jasper in this movie; I like the less psycho looking Jasper! The exchanges between the couples was refreshing, cheesyballish as it was. I’ll get all warm and fuzzy every time I’ll see Jasper and Alice’s nuzzle and even Emmet rubbing Rosalie’s arms (in the background of the training scene).
And the ring, was a bit larger than expected. In my opinion, it’s a bit gaudy for Bella’s taste.
I will go back. I cannot wait until the next two. It’s not soon enough!
BTW, I thought Edward looked the best in the field scenes, bedroom scene and the tent scene….I’m gonna go take a shower now :)
Well, I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and thought today was an appropriate time to make my first comment. AMEN sister. Nice review and now I feel just as lame for making a comment on a movie review when this is a rather fabulous design blog! Anyway, I agree with you on the girl who played Victoria – I miss the mean, villan vampire. The sweet, innocent-looking Bryce just doesn’t cut it. I did like all the character development in this movie – one of my favorite parts about this book. Anyway, my lame self will be seeing it again as well :) Happy 4th and hope your weekend is less-stressful!
[...] review on Elements of Style is thorough, but this pretty much sums it up: The love triangle story is compelling, and while I [...]
Lame? You wanna know lame?
Try being a 40 year old school counselor from a small town, waiting in line (with some of her students also in attendance for same movie) at midnight to see teenage monsters run around without shirts.
I think my “uncool” totally trumps your “uncool”.
By the way, I thought Taylor Lautner was a terrible Jacob in Twilight and totally understood when the producers wanted to re- cast the role. Wow! Did he ever prove the naysayers wrong!
Yeah I agree with the engagement ring — terrible. You know what happened? Some jewelry line bought the rights and designed the ring so people with no taste could buy it. How disappointing — its supposed to be an heirloom piece.
Glad to hear it! The Mr. is taking me tonight! Although really, even if it sucked worse than the first movie, I would still want to see it.
I found your blog three months ago and I want to extend a ridiculously big and most sincere thank you. I must tell you there are days when you really strike a chord with me and I think we must be twins separated at birth. I got the design degree but I didn’t follow through. I live in VA and work in the insurance biz, so you are living my dream! When I take a step back it seems a bit odd to finally comment on a Twilight movie review post, but you nailed it! And your playlist post this week totally spoke to me. Anyway, have a fabulous 4th!
By the way, I want that Bella shirt!
Thank you! I can’t WAIT to see the movie! Also I wanted to say that I love the fact that you love this series as much as I do. My sister makes fun of me so much for loving these books/movies, it makes me feel better when I am not alone!
I think they definitely changed stylists on this one the hair/makeup just didn’t look good to me. Esme’s color was all wrong, and Kristen’s wig was distracting. And that ring- blechh! This movie made me a little more understanding of Team Jacob. Taylor Lautner brings something to the character and makes him more likeable, definitely the best one yet!
I LOVE me some Edward (i think we all do) but i have been a fan of Jacob since the books (before TayTay gave him some amazing abs). I just can’t help but root for an underdog. Poor Jakey. But HOLY CRAP this was my fave book of the series & def fave movie so far. Production value went WAY up (you’re right though, except for the makeup/wigs – COME ON, Kristin, did you HAVE to cut your hair like Joan Jett for Runaways?? hideous.)
I read this re-cap – http://bit.ly/aI6pnN – after i saw it and was ROLLING over laughing. I REALLY think you’ll enjoy. It’s about what girls are REALLY saying about Twilight: Eclipse. There are some SATC comparisons that had me in tears – laughing so hard. Also mentions the hideous cocktail engagement ring & perhaps using it as a shield.
Team Bella is a Whiny B*tch and Doesn’t Deserve Either One of Them! woo!
Love this review! I am waiting a bit to see the movie. I applaud you for braving the tweens. I’m definitely on Team Jacob, always have been. BUT I am 100% on the team wearing your friends shirt!! I can’t stand Bella (and don’t love Kristen Stewart, either.)
I also don’t understand why they recast Victoria. I liked the first actress, even though I’m blanking on her name. Plus, she has gorgeous hair.
i am dying to see it…and i think i am team jacob :)
It was so good!!! I have to admit I’m team Jacob ; ) Oh my LORD. The movie had some freaking hilarious one liners. I would totally watch it again!!
B.
after seeing it in Imax last night I’m totally Team Jasper. Though, he could do with a bit of a haircut.
Thank you, thank you for doing this review (now I can prove to my husband I am not the only one my age loving this movie). I too, met a girlfriend in the afternoon (on a work day) and caught the latest Twilight saga and LOVED IT! While I was certainly a decade older than most of the summer vacationing teens I was just as into it. This is certainly the best one yet and I cant wait for the next!
I went to see it on my birthday (I’m 31) and LOVED IT too!!! Just wanted to say to all the ladies who feel awkward amongst the teens: I read an interview from Stephanie Meyer in which she said she did not write this book for teens (it was intended for women our age), and that it was only marketed for teens…which was obviously not her doing. :)
while i thought the movie overall sucked dong…this was due to shitty makeup, terrible lighting, camera angles that made the actors look like 40 year olds and a terrible script. but that’s just me. i totally agree with you about taylor making me almost (ALMOST) want bella to choose him over edward.
i saw a t shirt once that said “team edward unless jacob has his shirt off”.
this seemed like the t shirt for me. if i was going to be one of those mcdouchertons.
I could have written this exact review – perfectly said! I thought it was leaps and bounds better than the first two and hope the next two are even better.