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Posted by: Sheila Roberts

In this action-packed, third installment of the

modern-day love story adapted from Stephenie
Meyer¶s best selling novel, teenager Bella Swan
(Kristen Stewart) once again finds herself at the
epicenter of danger when Seattle is ravaged by a
series of mysterious killings and a malicious
vampire continues her quest for revenge.

Bella still lives with her dad, Charlie Swan (Billy

Burke), in the rainy town of Forks, Washington and
remains grounded because of her Italian adventures
in New Moon. But Charlie makes it clear that could
change if she would date someone else besides
Edward, namely Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner). But
Bella is having none of it. She only has eyes for the
mysterious and handsome Edward Cullen (Robert
Pattinson) who she tries hard to convince to
³change´ her. However, Edward is a traditionalist
and he¶s in no hurry. Love stinks, literally, but
when a clan of new, bloodthirsty vampires comes
to town, things get worse. Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life when
she finds herself in the uncomfortable position of having to choose between boyfriend Edward
and best friend Jacob and possibly destroy the tenuous truce between vampire and werewolf.

Director David Slade stays faithful to Meyer¶s novel as the star-crossed lovers continue to
navigate the treacherous terrain of interspecies dating. He¶s assembled a solid cast and gets
strong performances from his young actors. Eclipse is much more action-oriented than Twilight
and New Moon. Slade proves adept at handling the small, intimate scenes, like when Charlie
awkwardly attempts to explain the birds and the bees to Bella, as well as the large action
sequences when the vampires confront the werewolves in a climatic battle. The tone is harsher,
the fight scenes are more scrappy and feral, and the vampire action is more visceral. The cast is
also expanding with new characters coming into the story and more of the history is being
revealed. Slade¶s visual style is engaging and makes an unusual story even more unique. The
look and tone of the film reveals his awareness that each book gets a little bit darker than the last,
so each subsequent movie in the franchise needs to be darker and edgier.

Eclipse explores the romantic love triangle between Edward, Jacob and Bella which is believable
thanks to the great chemistry all three actors have on screen together. Stewart delivers a soulful,
nuanced performance as the self-possessed high school senior now contemplating college who is
hopelessly in love with a vampire. Pattinson, with his movie star good looks, remains intriguing
as the brooding, romantic hero with a moral conscience who has finally found his soul mate and
isn¶t about to lose her to a werewolf. Lautner¶s growth as an actor is apparent in several dramatic
scenes opposite Stewart and Pattinson. He is also adept at handling the physicality required by
his role.

Pattinson delivers some memorable dialogue without the slightest hint of irony, like when he
confronts the buff, bare-chested Jacob and says ³Why can¶t you put a shirt on?´ The tent scene is
especially entertaining because Edward and Jacob are forced to team up to protect Bella but
cannot set aside their jealous rivalry long enough to stop bickering over her. Jacob¶s ³I¶m hotter
than you´ retort to Edward is the best line of dialogue in the film.

Melissa Rosenberg¶s script delves deeper into the mythology that Meyer has already developed
and offers audiences new insight into some of the characters. The Cullen family (Peter Facinelli,
Elizabeth Reaser, Nikki Reed, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz, Jackson Rathbone) continues to
conceal their true identity while they struggle to confront the unsettling crime wave in Seattle
afraid that the chaos created by bloodthirsty newborns will attract the unwanted attention of the
Volturi. Meanwhile, the origins of Jasper and Rosalie are revealed through a backstory told in
flashback. Rathbone, whose character is given more to do in Eclipse, shines in the expanded role.
Bryce Dallas Howard as Victoria and Xavier Samuel as Riley are new to the Twilight Saga. Like
Dakota Fanning, who joined the cast as Jane in New Moon, they are excellent actors and their
³bad vampires´ roles add dimension to the story and elevates the proceedings.

Cinematographer Javier Aguirresarobe captures the intensity of Bella and Edward¶s relationship
in extreme close-ups set against the gloomy gorgeousness of the Pacific Northwest. Nancy
Richardson¶s seamless editing finds the emotional core in every scene and heightens the kinetic
quality of the film without compromising the energy of the handheld camerawork. The makeup,
visual FX and CG stunts are top notch thanks to a multi-million dollar budget that supported the
director¶s vision. The score by Howard Shore is dramatic and moving, and the vibrant, eclectic
soundtrack features a variety of artists including Muse, Vampire Weekend, Sia and The Black
Keys. (Muse happens to be author Stephenie Meyer's favorite band and their songs appeared on
the previous Twilight soundtracks.)

This revenge-fueled, romantic continuation of the internationally popular vampire story has
everything -- action, suspense, romance and danger. Audiences who have not read the novel may
find it hard to sink their teeth into this PG-rated vampire romance with all its campy moments,
but like Twilight and New Moon before it, Eclipse has a genuine heart and Slade has done a
commendable job of advancing the storyline of a very successful franchise.