Promotional posters may have advertised that “The Epic Finale that Would Last Forever” would hit theaters on Nov. 16, but for many lucky Twi-hards, the midnight premiere of “Breaking Dawn Part 2” began the night of Nov. 15. For these fanatics, the worldwide phenomenon was a four hour investment –– two hours of standing in line and two hours of immersing themselves into the action-packed finale that gracefully concluded one of the biggest motion pictures of the decade.
The fifth and final installment based on Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga picks up right where “Breaking Dawn Part 1”left off. Although the story as a whole is predictable and only has substance in the last 45 minutes, director Bill Condon makes up for it through an exhilarating build up (and a mega-twist) with a few key scenes.
The first scene features a fully-transformed Bella Swan, played by Kristen Stewart, with the heightened vision, touch, smell and strength that comes with being a newborn vampire. Unlike her stagnant acting in earlier movies, Stewart pumps some emotion –– anger, fear, compassion –– into Bella. When Bella meets her father, Charlie, for the first time after her transformation, Stewart’s efforts to pass off as a human are hopelessly hilarious to watch. After all vampires don’t blink, breath or sulk.
In this movie, Stewart doubles not only as a new vampire, but also as a new mother. Bella and Edward, played by Robert Pattinson, convincingly assume the role of parents. Though the couple shares striking chemistry during some lovey-dovey scenes, family remains the main focus. Bella and Edward share a few laughs and heartfelt moments with their half-human and half-vampire daughter, Renesmee, played by Mackenzie Foy.
The rest of the story mostly conforms to the novel (except for that mind-boggling twist) as the Cullens band together with other vampire covens to protect Renesmee from the Volturi who believes Bella and Edward have broken sacred law by giving “life” to an immortal child.
The entire movie, though slow and dialogue-heavy in some parts, manages to keep the audience involved through stunning cinematographic elements –– lush greenery, snow-covered hilltops, the Northern-pacific coastline –– and an impressing soundtrack by Carter Burwell. While the scenery is a visual treat, the music serves as a tribute to the whole series as new tracks are blended with old melodies from earlier movies.
Condon also sprinkles in some humorous moments to break up an otherwise tense plot. Edward enjoys a heated confrontation between Bella and teen-wolf Jacob Black, played by Taylor Lautner, while Emmett –– though buff and studly –– can’t seem to get over the fact that his sister-in-law a.k.a. Bella, is actually a gazillion times stronger than he is. The internal bickering between the new vampire covens also offer relief from Stewart’s dominance over the big screen.
“Breaking Dawn Part 2” may not be exciting plot-wise, but the film is more than just tolerable with its artistic creativity and style. Imaginative filmmaking makes for a memorable grand finale that is an ultimate crowd-pleaser.
