‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon’

Directed by: Chris Weiss

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Rob Pattinson, Taylor Lautner

Grade: B

Tweens, twi-hards and their prowling, cougar mothers all gathered during the holiday weekend for the premiere of the highly anticipated ‘Twilight’ sequel, ‘New Moon.’ It was a weekend of raging preteen hormones, questionable parental judgment and shrieking at decibels that would drive a dog mad.

Promising more action, more heat and more blood sucking mania, ‘New Moon’ delivered two hours of what could be called entertainment, but mostly a regurgitated version of the first installment of the ‘Twilight’ saga with a few adjustments.

First, fans got the gift of jail-bait Taylor Lautner half-naked for most of the film. Second, at the request of twi-haters, the writers worked in more dialogue to supplement the other half of the film which originally consisted mostly of Edward (Rob Pattinson) and Bella (Kristen Stewart) gazing at each other from a distance. Finally, more action, more wolves and more special effects.

‘New Moon’ amped up the action from Edward’s low-budget hummingbird legs in the first film to full-on dog fights. Without a doubt, the special effects were the greatest improvement. But not all of the adjustments were for the better.

The melodrama was kicked up from the level of your typical emotionally challenged adolescent to full blown, self-mutilating, Donnie Darko obsessed ‘twemo.’ Yes, ‘The Twilight Saga’ has created its own brand of emo.

The film followed the book to a T, which kept the crowds from viciously turning on their beloved franchise.

Coming close to ‘The Dark Knight’s’ 2008 record for opening weekend box-office sales with $158 million, ‘New Moon’ raked in an impressive $142 million.

The film seems disappointing at first glance – a result of misleading previews that peg the sequel as an action-packed film and excessive hype propelled by promotions, previews and strange Burger King advertisements.

After a second viewing, however, ‘New Moon’ could pull in even the biggest ‘Twilight’ hater with its teenage charm and innocence.

‘New Moon’ told a very raw and real story for any girl who’s felt the bitter sting of love in the midst of teenage angst. Stewart played desperate and dejected quite well after her on- (and possibly off-) screen beau leaves her for her own protection.

Pattinson was absent for most of the film, but director Chris Weiss distracted audiences with the blooming relationship between Bella and Jacob Black (Lautner).

Weiss tried to work in Pattinson by presenting him to Bella through visions when she was in danger, but Stewart’s acting with her ghostly ex came off awkward and cheesy.

Overall, the film was so-so, but managed to excite an entire nation of needy girls and empty the wallets of millions of fans in the height of an economic recession. For that, the film deserves props. Surely, crowds will be prepared next year for the third installment, ‘Eclipse.’

Rdjone03@syr.edu

Published on December 2, 2009 at 12:00 pm