In this, the fourth film in the franchise, viewers are presented with a mix of comedy, steaminess and lashings of gore. Okay, maybe not lashings, but a damn sight more than Twihard’s may be accustomed to.
The story so far has centred around the continued love triangle shared between 18 year-old clutz Bella (Kristen Stewart), mysterious vamp Edward (Robert Pattinson) and werewolf Jacob (Taylor Lautner). The increasingly tense relationship between the three has been explored in the previous films, resulting in miscommunication and stray kisses. Here in BDP1 Bella finally marries Edward, in the knowledge that he will willingly change her into a vampire, leaving Jacob to pine and mope.
A draw for many of the fans, the wedding has a lot to live up to. Thankfully, having taken the producer’s seat for the film, author Stephenie Meyer takes creative control here and provides the goods. Bestowing the Cullen’s home with beautiful decorations, the film successfully captures the beauty described in the book. The film throws in some light humour (mainly in the form of the speeches) which nicely counteracts the gloomier moments of the film.
Those who have read the book (or any Twilight headline in the week’s before BDP1‘s release) will know that Bella and Edward finally consummate their relationship. The scenes aren’t exactly x-rated, but instead tastefully expand upon the allusions in the book. It’s bed breaking stuff. After several weeks frolicking about on their honeymoon island, things inevitably take a turn for the worse for the newlyweds and they’re soon homeward bound. What could shatter their idyllic getaway? An unexpected speedy demon pregnancy, of course.
Cue wounded looks, a werewolf uprising (that features a dodgy voice over scene) and a very emaciated-looking Bella. Although the foetus proves to be too strong for her body to handle, Bella maintains that she will carry out the pregnancy, much to Edward’s distress. In doing so the Cullen family are taking a journey into the unknown but the atmosphere bounces back when Edward realises he can hear the baby’s thoughts.
If that wasn’t weird enough, the film then presents us with the franchise’s most harrowing scene. After snapping Bella’s back, the baby’s ready to come out. We watch as Edward bites the baby out of his new wife (meaning he plays the scene with bloody lips) before sinking his teeth into various parts of her body to provide her with immortality. Although the ending sometimes feels ill-paced, with various conclusions being strung together, it successfully captures the magnitude of the situation.
It is not just the ending that suffers from its pacing. Having decided to cut Meyer’s final book into two segments it sometimes feels like some dialogue is merely present as filler whilst other parts aren’t expanded upon properly. This ultimately leads to a muddling sensation during the middle of the film where it feels like the film is trying to get as much exposition out of the way before its climatic ending.
It’s not going to win critics over and if you’ve hated every other instalment be sure to give this a wide birth (arf). Twilight fans, however, will undoubtedly enjoy seeing Edward and Bella finally tie the knot… even if it potentially ends in tragedy…
Best song: Sister Rosetta by The Noisettes.
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