Naome's Musings

I avoided reviews and only watched the initial trailer because I’m geeky and wanted a clean viewing when I went to see it. It may have spoilers if you haven’t seen trailers or read the book but I’ll try and give my vague opinion.

It had been a good year or two since I read Breaking Dawn, and so started up a re-read to refresh my memory a few weeks ago, and got into the first few chapters. This being fresh in mind, I went to see the film and saw that my favourite scene from what I’d just read was not in there… that being the scene that (SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER!) that being the scene that Bella and Edward inform Charlie, Bella’s father, about the wedding. I’m fond of Charlie.

So I might’ve felt a little instant resentment but it melted away as I realised we were hurled into direct romance for the build up to the wedding, showing early in the film. Had they of kept in the Charlie scenes it would have been jokey and risked ruining the buzz. Still a little bit of a shame. I’m fond of Charlie.

If you’ve read the book, you’ll be looking for almost constant romance and emotional drama, differencing from Twilight’s additional suspense, New Moon’s additional tension and Eclipse’s additional action. And it was perfect. What touched me most – possibly for personal reasons – is the ‘morning after’, where Bella’s reminiscing. The moment in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ when Darcy extends his fingers after having shared the first touch with Elizabeth came to mind. Only, much joooosier.

One thing that – I’ll admit to actually cringing at – was the telepathic scene between the werewolves. It was a bit too villainous. I know that at this point in the story the werewolves were being villainous, but they’re not villains. The animation is as sexy as in the other films, but it was made a bit cartoony in the sense of the editing of their voices and the timing and… just a little bit strange.

Is it worth seeing? Yes.

Will it disappoint a Twilight fan? Always down to opinion. No, that’s a boring answer. It won’t disappoint. Nothing is ever as good as the book it’s based on, but then you can’t fully appreciate a film unless you’ve read the book first.

Everybody gasped when Jacob took his shirt off.

Jacob takes his shirt off.

Edward gets steamy.

Bella gets steamy. And sexy. Tiny little bit of a girl crush there.

Me and my sister cried. Good tears are a winner in anything.

What’s included, and what’s left of the story suggests part 2 is gonna be a great big battle. One my brother in law will prefer I think. Part 1 is mushy.

Stick around after the credits! There’s a scene, not vital, but answers a question you’ll have lingering at the back of your mind and that plants seeds, for those who have not read the book, of the antics of part 2. Plus it’s a funny scene.

EDIT: It’s very gory in places it needs to be. The 12a rating is very vague. I would hate for my 7 & half year old nephew to watch that, meanwhile something like Doctor Who gets 12 ratings and all children all ages are - and with every right - allowed to watch it because TV shows don’t reveal age restrictions ‘til the DVD release. It’s silly. Although, nephew has seen a lot of Twilight when he was 6, but we skipped the ballet studio scene. Breaking Dawn is far too gory for young children even accompanied by an adult. That’s worse advice than the 12a rating on ‘The Hole’, which is - I can’t resist - a HOLE other rant. I think maybe 9 is a safe age for kids to see Breaking Dawn.