In November of 2008, the craze began. Now, some five years and five films later, Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner are finally closing the door on one of the most successful book-to-film series ever created as The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part II hits theaters.
The film, unlike the four before it, takes a welcome leave from the overplayed and always verging on pathetic love affair between once human Bella and her never sleeping vampire lover. Instead, audiences are offered a coming-of-age story of sorts as Bella works to adapt to her life as a vampire and help protect her daughter from the wrath of the Volturi.
Though the acting is still a bit rough and the dialogue even rougher, I do have to admit that when compared to the other films in the franchise, Breaking Dawn - Part II is leaps and bounds ahead of the others in terms of story, fluidity, and straight-up entertainment. No, the film won't be called out during the Oscar Nomination special in January, but comparatively speaking, it isn't bad.
The forcefully advertised action sequence ultimately lives up to the hype, and an unexpected twist should have you smirking at the cleverness of the entire situation. Sure, the film often shows its indie roots and the CGI is anything but impressive, but my expectations were quite low for this final installment. Luckily for fans, director Bill Condon delivers, and for a franchise first, keeps the male viewers in mind.
Also worth noting was the balance of screen time amongst many of the series regulars. Sure, Ashley Greene's Alice disappeared for most of the film, and her vampire partner Jasper (played by Jackson Rathbone) wasn't far behind. But everyone else saw even screen time (especially in regard to Elizabeth Reisner) as the story became a collective experience rather than a tiresome love affair between our two leads.
The most awkward moment came at the end, when the credits rolled and audiences were shown every actor who has ever appeared in the franchise. Not sure why, but it was a bit odd to see two actors credited with the role of Rachel, and the disappointing reminder that there was no Anna Kendrick this time around.
Otherwise, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part II was an acceptable conclusion to a series that will forever go down as one of the most profitable indie adaptions to ever hit the big screen. That is until the films are remade, which will likely happen in a year or two.
