‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2’ Is Not Just for Die-hard ‘Twi’-Hard Fans
With The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2, night finally sets on the Twilight series of films adapted from Stephenie Meyer’s novels. Bella and Edward not only have found true love with each other, but are building a family. The final challenge they face comes because of their baby daughter, Renesmee, who is seen as a threat to the Volturi. KIDS FIRST! youth film critic Raven Devanney, age 15, gives the film a carefully considered “by far the best film in the Twilight Saga.” Not a Twilight fan to begin with, and very observant of the many details that defy logic (over and above a storyline that is, of course, not meant to be realistic), Raven shares that she got totally caught up in the ending scene. “I actually enjoyed it,” she says. Raven and fellow KIDS FIRST! youth film critic Brianna Beaton discuss the film on this week’s KIDS FIRST! Coming Attractions show on VoiceAmerica Kids Channel.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2
Reviewed by Raven Devanney
(See her full review on video.)
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 is the final installment in the Twilight series, adapted from Stephenie Meyer’s novels. This dramatic ending concludes the tale of Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) on their journey, defying the odds of love.
I have never really been a fan of the Twilight series, never read any of the books or waited in line at the midnight premieres. I’m not a huge fan of dairy products, and this series contains an awful lot of cheese, but food jokes aside, I didn’t completely dislike this film. Don’t get me wrong – there are definitely some parts that are way too dramatic, but overall I would say this is by far the best film in the Twilight Saga. The cinematography and special effects aren’t anything different from the previous films, so I think they are pretty well done. However, I was very confused when I saw Renesmee (played by Mackenzie Foy). I couldn’t tell if she was real or not because she looked so computer edited.
I also have a problem with Bella’s makeup in the opening scene. This movie picks up right where it left off in the last film, where the final scene was Bella lying on the table after she gave birth. When this movie starts, it is Bella waking up on the table two days after the birth of her daughter. But her makeup and hair are perfect. If she had been unconscious for two days, how would she have on spotless makeup? Another detail that I noticed that didn’t seem right was Edward and Bella’s new home. Who made it? And who could design, build and furnish an entire home in only two days? I am pretty sure vampires don’t have superhuman-carpenter powers. One last visual detail that is weird for me is Renesmee’s room. When you first see it, it’s a nursery, but then a day or two later it’s completely different and completely refurbished. How on earth do the Cullens afford to refurbish their homes every week?!
I can’t say I have a favorite character because the acting done by each character is a little farfetched. I understand that the storyline itself is far from realistic, but I feel like all of the actors over-play their roles. I do have a favorite scene, though. The final battle scene completely shocked me, and made me actually enjoy the movie. I haven’t read the books, so I had no idea what to expect, but I got completely sucked into it. I watched this film with my friend – who isn’t a Twilight fan, either – but she and I were squealing in shock during the ending scene. After the movie, I felt like such a nerd because I got so into the film, but in all honesty I actually enjoyed it. No, I will not become a Twi-hard fan now, but I do have a lot more respect for this series now. And I’m thinking about reading the books.
This film is the most violent and sexual out of the whole series, so I recommend it for ages 13 and up. Obviously, if you’re a huge Twilight fanatic, you’re going to see this movie no matter what anybody else tells you. And if you completely despise the movies (which I’m sure some of you probably do), you’re not going to see the film no matter what you’re told. But if you’re in the neutral category of loving/hating Twilight like I am, give it a shot and you might actually be surprised. Overall, I give The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 four out of five stars because it definitely surpassed my expectations.
