The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

As a self-confessed Twi-hard, it’s sometimes difficult to admit the saga’s faults. You don’t want to confess that Twilight’s special effects were laughable, neither do you want to say New Moon failed at storytelling. However, when it comes to the latest instalment of the vampire/werewolf phenomenon, you won’t need to confront the sceptics. Director David Slade has not only managed to combine both principles and correct his predecessors’ pasts, he’s done it well.

Eclipse sees the pact between the werewolves and the vampires strengthen and the relationship between Edward and Jacob improve. Throughout the movie, you’ll get to know the characters and their pasts. There are no more deep and profound silences where you sit and wonder what the characters are thinking. The movie is a tell-all (and see-all) version of the previous two releases. Bella’s steamy, sexy scenes with both Edward and Jacob – yes – combined with nail-biting battle scenes, a great score, and even better storytelling makes Eclipse a must-see.

The movie follows Edward and Bella as they rekindle their love for each other post-New Moon. While they discuss the prospect of marriage and Bella’s looming transformation into a vampire, Jacob vies for Bella’s affection. Convinced they are meant to be together, he will stop at nothing (including steamy kisses and punches to the face) to get her to admit how she feels about him. Naturally, this doesn’t please Edward and the love/hate relationship between the two is exposed.

While this passionate love triangle goes on in Forks, a bunch of evil, bloodthirsty new-born vampires are roaming the streets of Seattle under the instruction of Bella’s sworn enemy, Victoria. Thanks to Alice’s visions, the Cullens learn that the new-borns are on their way to the small town – and they want a fight. The family knows they won’t be able to defeat this super-strong army single-handed, and an alliance between vampires and werewolves is born. By this stage, Bella has accepted Edward’s proposal (and a rather large diamond-encrusted ring). Jacob is not happy about this new information – and after a long, passionate kiss – goes into battle. Even though it’s clear Bella was taken aback by Jacob’s smooching abilities, she tells Edward he is The One – and she means it. When the new-borns arrive in the clearing, they have no chance against both the Cullens and the pack and lose the fight. All-the-while Bella and Edward have been hiding in the woods (for her protection of course), but Victoria still manages to find them. After a bloody fight, Victoria and her henchman are killed.

Happily ever after? Not so much. But that’s for next time…

Author: Lindi Brownell