Reviews
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
November 16 2009
Chris Weitz
Starring Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart
Related reviews and interviews
When I went to see the second film in the Twilight Saga I was eager to see how they could improve on the brilliance that was Twilight, and from the beginning of the film it was evident that a miracle had occurred.
I expected that after reading the book it wouldn’t compare because the book had a certain something that made everyone want to read more despite the fact that Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) didn’t feature in the majority of it. The excitement in schools and amongst adults as well was overwhelming, as everyone was waiting for another film to obsess about, scream about and another character to fall in love with.
In New Moon there was all of that. There was the thrill of Bella’s many trials to see Edward, there was the brilliant scene with the Volturi that kept people on the edge of their seats, and last but not least there was the new heartthrob, Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner).
The film was an extreme mixture between romance and tension, created by the absence of Edward (due to the danger he was causing his true love) and the pain of Bella during that absence. We slowly watched Jacob fall for Bella and saw their relationship evolve step by step from friends to something much more, resulting in the pain that Jacob suffered as Bella continued to refuse him.
The film was not only a brilliant continuation of the mesmerising Twilight Saga but was also a cinematic advance on the film that drove everyone crazy with passion the first time round. There is always one thing that shows whether a film has been a success or not, and that is the theatrical round of applause at the end of this truly astonishing film. New Moon will not be forgotten and will have a place in teenage girls’ hearts for a long time to come.
Anticipation:
Enjoyment:
In Retrospect:
pretty sad that 14 year olds write better reviews than i ever have.
Written by matthew on November 23rd, 2009 at 14:31
This is why I LOVE LWLies. No snobbery, just a great review from the target audience. Inspired.
Written by Lotte on November 23rd, 2009 at 14:45
I think this is a great idea
Written by Laura on November 23rd, 2009 at 15:04
Not sure I agree. I want the snobbery, if I wanted all fans of a genre to write reviews I would read empire or total film. I may however be in the minority but films like this don't interest me in the slightest and up until now I felt I could come to LWLies who would review things close to how I would feel about films. It was a good barometer as the reviewers while I am sure diverse seemed to stay away from the popular viewpoint and give us honest reviews of those films off the beaten track.
Thanks to LWLies I have seen some great films this year like let the right one in, an education and mesrine and so this is a little disappointing to see. Is this going to be a direction change?
Thats not to take away from jessie great work from her just didn't expect LWLies to go this route given that surely the types of readers who would be interested in the films they feature on their covers will not I expect be wishing to view this film. Films like twilight for me are no better than high school musical or mama mia and while I am sure that pleases the masses not sure that was the original readership of a bi monthly film that features films such as Let the Right one in as a cover.
Written by RayM on November 23rd, 2009 at 15:09
Hi Ray
I think you've nailed why we offered Jessie the chance to review this film.
It's probably safe to say that the kind of person who reads and enjoys LWLies cover films isn't likely to be running to the cinema to catch the first midnight screening of New Moon. I know I wasn't, either. But rather than simply confirm each other's impressions and great taste (which I think would have been the easy/lazy thing to do), we thought we'd get someone who has a genuine passion and enthusiasm for the series to write something that challenges the expected orthodoxy.
I'm not saying it's objective or especially critical, but I don't want it to be. I want it to be straight from the heart of a 14-year-old girl, somebody who is precisely the film's target but exactly the sort of person who is denied a public voice in discussions of the film that are dominated by older critics who don't really like it and certainly can't grasp where the hysteria comes from.
Anyway, hope you understand where we're coming from, and I hope everyone enjoys both the review and the sentiment behind it. Hats off to Jessie…
Written by Matt Bochenski on November 23rd, 2009 at 15:33
Hats off indeed. Older critics are hardly more objective – they/we just have different preoccupations and prejudices. And fans of a genre are usually well placed to review films within that genre – if you despise a genre in general terms, there is a temptation to lambast the genre as a whole while ignoring the specificities of the film itself that isunder discussion. Jessie might have hated the film – that she did not suggests that it succeeded within its own terms. Besides, speaking as a grizzly curmudgeon with a prejudice against all things tweenie (despite a lingering, ex-goth soft spot for emo), I still don't want to see New Moon, but enjoyed reading the perspective of someone who is more attuned to it.
Written by Anton Bitel on November 23rd, 2009 at 15:51
Though I understand the theory behind allowing a fourteen-year-old girl to review the film, I was surprised to hear that this decision came from Little White Lies, most pointedly because it seems peculiar to me that not one of the adults amongst the team of writers for Little White Lies felt capable of reviewing the film on its own terms. Puzzling.
Written by midnightmovies on November 23rd, 2009 at 18:13
Wow! Not to say that New Moon is my cuppa, but what a fantastic and honest review. Bravo Jessie!
Written by Jamie on November 23rd, 2009 at 18:19
Totally agree that this is a valid way to review the film. It wasn't made for middle aged male film critics and by this review, the box office take and massive buzz around it, it's a big hit with its target audience.
One reason that I respect Mark Kermode more than most film critics, is because he is willing to give films credit for doing what they say on the tin and doing it well. For example The High School Musical films are excellent films for 10year olds (the singing, dancing are all extremely well done). So what if I don't like them or have any interest in seeing them? I'm sure a 10 year-old hasn't any interest in seeing half the things I go to the cinema to see.
On a side note… just wait until the DVD comes out and has a massive quote on the front…
"A brilliant continuation of the mesmerising Twilight Saga!"
***** Little White Lies
;-)
Written by John D on November 23rd, 2009 at 18:20
I've struggled for a while to get to grips with Twilight's popularity, but this review from the Onion AV club this<a target="_blank" href="http://www.avclub.com/articles/twilight,35480/">Link (pops) explained a lot for me.
What you have in Twilight is a popular girl (not the usual outsider) who turns up to school one day to find a gorgeous, sexy, broody vampire with amazing powers fall in love with her. Not just in love, but absolute devotion. He wants to be with her always, and even better, he struggles with the depth of his emotion for her and against his temptations (classic, teen vampire sex metaphor territory here).
What’s crucial is that Bella does nothing. They don’t fall in love over the course of the film. They don’t have to get to know each other or even go through the hate- each-other-before-discovering-their-true-feelings phase. Edward sees her, falls madly passionately in love instantly. Bella is just that special (the film does a rotten job of explaining why she’s so amazing, so we have to take Edward’s word for it)
I reckon if I was a teenage girl (I’m not by the way), that would pretty much be my ultimately fantasy . Twilight makes it so easy to put yourself in Bella’s place (if you’re so inclined). It’s the perfect escapism for those willing to embrace it.
However, reading Jessie's review, i might be wrong. The anticipation part is perhaps most telling, "Robert, Robert, ROBERT!" Maybe he is just that awesome…. and not the scruffy, sulk-saturated doofus I’ve had him down for.
Written by Bobby_Floyd on November 23rd, 2009 at 18:57
Maybe it was more the case that not one of the team (apart from Jessie) felt willing, as opposed to able, to review the film on its own, or indeed any, terms. Had I been asked, I would not exactly have been racing up to the mark…
Written by Anton Bitel on November 23rd, 2009 at 20:24
It's not even that. I was quite up for reviewing New Moon because I do feel moved to offer a perspective on it. But on balance, I just thought that Jessie's voice would be more interesting. And different. And kind of cool.
Written by Matt Bochenski on November 23rd, 2009 at 20:50
I'm really impressed with Jessie's review – a really good write up! I went along to see the film on Friday, and her thoughts were definitely echoed with the scores of teenage girls in the cinema – with clapping, screaming and excitement every time Edward or Jacob appeared on screen, which was rather funny! I haven't read the books, but my friends who have said the film reproduced it well, and I found the movie very entertaining. Ok, it's not a modern masterpiece – the script was quite wooden at times, and Edward and Bella's 'intense' looks at each other often just came off as a bit constipated…but I can totally see why it has born such a following. Getting someone from the proper target audience to review this really gives a good insight to that.
Written by Danielle on November 24th, 2009 at 11:10
While it's sweet that a member of the target audience got to write a review, it's clearly not necessary! It's probably a bit condescending for LWL to imply that only 14 yr olds can comment adequately on the Twilight series. By contrast, Mark Kermode gave New Moon a genuinely sparkling review and he's a proper film critic!
Written by @MaryClareW on November 24th, 2009 at 11:17
Anyone can watch a film and anyone in turn can have an entirely valid view on a film, you don't have to be Mark Kermode to justify your thoughts on a movie. Also I think it's absolutely brilliant that LWL have got a 14 year old girl to review a film (and what a great review!). That's exactly why I love this magazine because I'm never sure what's gonna hit me next. I love it!
Some people just need to not be loosen up a little and enjoy things for what they are!!!
Written by TonyD on November 24th, 2009 at 13:27
This is good joke!!! :P One of the best I have experienced lately… And it's sweet in every way. And this is one off from LWL, so no worries… Like, no one here is suggesting to Von Trier or Jarmush fans to go to see New Moon…
Written by @jauns_kunks on November 24th, 2009 at 19:14
just to rectify, the bella character isn't a popular girl, in teen movie fashion she is an outsider and they do fall in love over the course of the movie ( actually more over the course of half of the movie).
i don't think the story would have had such an impact on teenagers had she been "the popular girl" archetypal character. let's face it, teenagers are emo and they thrive on just that.
Written by margaux on November 29th, 2009 at 09:37
outsider by choice i mean, not outcast.anyway, i agree that review from the onion Av is good.
Written by margaux on November 29th, 2009 at 09:44
I am a teenager and this is the opposite to how I view the whole Twilight Saga, so essentially this isn't representative of teenagers but of teenage fans of Twilight. I don't disagree with the idea to get the target audience to review the film but to claim this representative of all teenagers rather than a very specific female age group is misleading.
Written by Liam on December 4th, 2009 at 11:43
Good to hear from you, Liam, and point taken – but I don't think anyone is claiming that the review here is representative of all teenagers. Critics – of any age – do not, indeed could not, write 'representative' reviews. They just express their own views.
Written by Anton Bitel on December 4th, 2009 at 12:12
It could just be my over developed sense of entertainment, or maybe my ability to write amazingly well, but I feel that this review lacks life. Much like if Jessie had been asked by a teacher to write an essay on How To Cross A Dark and Cluttered Lounge Room Without Stumbling, and it just so happened that this was Jessie's least studied yet most addictive hobby. Anyway, carry on folks.
Written by Stella on March 6th, 2010 at 05:56
I adore Twilight! I can barely wait for Twilight Eclipse! I’m so infatuated with Taylor Lautner, lol.
I still find that the first film was the best, but New Moon certainly wins in eye candy lol
Written by Patti Basile on March 6th, 2010 at 20:07