by Joshua Skye:
At last it’s here, the blockbuster final chapter of our beloved chronicle, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2.” The gothic romance between human and vampire has never been so flawlessly presented on film. It is both a profoundly intimate portrait of love and a stunningly horrific spectacle. This is the stuff of Hollywood legend!
In the company of my son Syrian and my sisters Patricia and Cindy, the collective excitement was palpable. We’re all fans of the series, books and films. We simply couldn’t wait for the show to begin. Our anticipation grew as the trailers began to play. I love seeing first run and exclusive previews of coming attractions, but I really just wanted the show to begin. I was eager to witness the completed transition from page to screen, to experience the conclusion of this majestic supernatural journey. But we had to start off with the trailers.
Up first was something that seemed oddly out of place, which isn’t too abnormal really. There’s always at least one trailer that just doesn’t quite fit in. It appeared to be a found footage film, one with a wartime theme. Dramatic music swelled, the soldiers ventured deeper into danger and then suddenly, one man turned and looked directly into the camera to say, “Projectionist, would you please raise the house lights?”
Two rows in front of us, a man stood, took the hand of his girlfriend as she too got up. Down on one knee he went. He raised the ring and proposed. One of our nation’s heroes had turned a seemingly ordinary date night into a magical one for his beloved, one she would always remember. The audience was all about it. Amidst thunderous applause, she said, “Yes.”
What a perfect and unique beginning to experiencing the epic finale of “Twilight.”
Not surprisingly, the film begins exactly where the last one left off. Our beautiful and intrepid heroine has become a vampire, but Bella’s humanity remains. She’s as strong as any newborn, but is composed, restrained, a patient and loving mother. Yes, her daughter is there and Bella is extremely protective. In a scene I took particular joy in, Bella finally puts Jacob in his place after being told he’s imprinted on her dear Renesmee.
No wolf can stop her, no other Cullen dares. She is the true altruistic mother who will not yield to anyone, one imbued with the power of a fledgling immortal. Bella’s will and strength will be put to the ultimate test as old grudges bring dire consequences. Renesmee is perceived as a threat to the secrecy and existence of vampire-kind. She’s just the excuse the vampire royalty known as The Volturi need to declare war.
To defend themselves, the Cullens seek the help of family and friends worldwide. Together they will stand against the powerful Volturi in an extraordinarily impressive battle that will sate those disappointed by the book’s subdued closing moments but also satisfy diehard loyalists as well. I wasn’t the only one on the edge of the seat, panicked, shocked, and in absolute awe. This vampire film delivers the action in a way other horror/action pieces have been utterly incapable of. We care about these characters, this fight matters.
The writing is top notch. The directing is the best of the series, truly spectacular. The acting is, as it has always been, spot on, but this is Kristen Stewart’s show all the way. Her character’s arc is complete, Bella is the vampire, the lover, the mother she was always meant to be. The transformation has been amazing; Stewart is a truly gifted screen performer. In a mere glance she is capable of more depth than a host of other actresses combined. There are no maudlin displays of exaggerated sentiment here, no ridiculous over-the-top moments. This is what acting is all about. Nuanced and masterful, Kristen Stewart is simply astonishing.
We have never seen the blossoming relationship between a vampire and a human so brilliantly conceived. In fact, there isn’t a vampire film quite like this. Stephanie Meyer’s story has been a breath of fresh air in an otherwise dull and lifeless horror subgenre. Not all vampire tales have to be splashed in blood, filled with gratuitous nudity and sex, or as dumb as a box of rocks. They can be beautiful, captivating, and romantic. They can be ambitious and daring. “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2” rivals even the scope and grandeur of the exceptional film adaptation of Anne Rice’s masterpiece “Interview with the Vampire.” Oh yes, it is that impressive.
“The Twilight Saga” is bold and breathtaking. It has been a marvelous journey, truly a joy to behold. “Breaking Dawn Part 2” is a fitting finale to a contemporary classic.
DarkMedia contributor Joshua Skye’s short stories have appeared in anthologies from STARbooks Press, Knightwatch Press, Sirens Call Publications, Rainstorm Press, JMS Books and periodicals such as Blood and Lullabies. He is the author of “The Singing Wind,” “Bareback: A Werewolf’s Tale,” “Midnight Rainbows,” the forthcoming “The Grigori,” and “The Angels of Autumn.” You can find him on his website.
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