The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) review

Continuing where Twilight left off, New Moon tells the story of Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart)’s relationship with vampire boyfriend Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson).

Bella grows increasingly aware of her ageing, especially on her eighteenth birthday, when she officially becomes a year older than the 109 year old Edward. It is that day too that changes her future forever; whilst opening her presents from the vampiric Cullens she cuts herself which in turn ignites their lust for blood. Days after noticing the danger Edward appears and tells Bella that he and his family are leaving Forks forever.

Cue a harrowing montage which captures the following despairing months described in the book. As she gradually opens back up to her friends she grows both closer to Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), a boy from the Quillette reservation La Push and an addiction to adrenaline rushes.

Whilst being a better adaptation than Twilight was, New Moon still manages to inject new life into Stephenie Meyer’s novel. The changes Jacob goes through are just as perplexing on screen whilst the finale is will have you on the edge of your seat just as it had you racing through pages.

Those relying solely on the first Twilight movie for reference may be mystified at some of the film’s references (Bella’s reference to Jasper (Jackson Rathbone)’s abilities to control people’s emotions for example) and this is a drawback. Fortunately this is balanced by director Chris Weitz’s handling of the main lements of the story.

As in Twilight the soundtrack plays a pivotal role in establishing elements of the story and help convey character’s emotions. The vampiric version of the royal family makes an appearance in New Moon and the powers the Volturi have at their disposal is frightening.

Expect more fight scenes in New Moon and less Robert Pattinson.