The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)
Director: David Slade (Hard Candy; 30 Days of Night)
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner
In brief: The third film adaptation in Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series. Graduation is quickly approaching and also, therefore, the appointed date for Bella’s transformation. A vengeful Victoria is closing in on Forks, despite the best efforts of both the Cullens and the werewolf pack. Meanwhile, the number of brutal and unexplained murders in nearby Seattle escalates, and Alice and Jasper recognise the slayings as the work of recklessly thirsty, and highly dangerous, newborn vampires.
Bella and the Cullens are back, with better make-up, better special effects and slightly better hair (with the exception of Jackson Rathbone‘s Jasper, whose truly dreadful mane gets worse with every sequel).
Victoria, now played by Bryce Dallas Howard, is still on the loose and out to kill Bella (although the wolf pack is hot on her trail); the appointed day of Bella’s transformation is quickly approaching; and Seattle is being rocked by a succession of brutal and baffling murders. Tensions remain high between the Cullens and the wolf pack, but Bella (Kristen Stewart) is anxious to see Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Jacob (Taylor Lautner) call a truce, especially when a deadly army of newborn vampires descends upon Forks.
My initial reaction to Eclipse was relief. Thank you, David Slade. Of course, Slade is no stranger to vampires, having previously directed another film about blood-thirsty creatures invading a small town—30 Days of Night.
From Eclipse‘s opening sequence – a young man being run down and viciously bitten by a ghostly attacker as he exits a night club – there’s a different tone. For the first time, audiences get a full view of the vampires’ fearsome nature—even the Cullens are not always mopy, toothless and angst-ridden; in fact, they’ve been given a serving of hell, and they’re perfectly capable of giving it back, with interest.
As always with The Twilight Saga, the best moments come when the Cullens are on the scene, or when Bella is with her dry-witted father, Charlie (Billy Burke). We spend much more time with both families, which is a leap in the right direction. Every Twilight fan has a favourite Cullen, whether it be sweet and unusual Alice (Ashley Green); beefy, cuddly and up-beat Emmett (Kellan Lutz); or gentle and courageous Carlisle (Peter Facinelli). Giving them more screen time pleases the fans, as well as adding interest, depth and humour to the script. In Meyer’s novels, each of the Cullens has an interesting back-story, some of which we actually get to see here in flashbacks to both Rosalie’s (Nikki Reed) and Jasper’s lives and deaths. Both flashbacks are period pieces, beautifully done, and real highlights of the film.
In keeping with both Twilight and New Moon, Slade makes terrific use of the great outdoors, with some stunning woodland and mountain settings. The wolf pack is much more realistic (and threatening—you really wouldn’t want to run into these guys); a high-speed vampire/werewolf chase through the forest is a lot of fun, as is Jasper’s combat-training session for the benefit of both the wolf pack and the Cullens (“Killing Newborn Vampires 101”). There are even a few self-referencing jokes that lighten the mood and indicate that both screenwriter and cast are relaxing a little. The soundtrack is back to the standard of the first film, with some fantastic music from bands like Vampire Weekend (no, that’s not a joke) and Muse.
This is still, at its foundations, a love story, and for the romantics, there’s plenty of sentiment. The banter between Edward and Bella could have been turned up a notch or two, to relieve the constant intensity between them—we have yet to see on screen much of the joyful, teasing side of their relationship—but the chemistry between them is as strong as ever.
With Breaking Dawn now officially on the way, there’s plenty more quality time to be spent with the Cullen clan and the werewolf pack—it’s just a pity that David Slade won’t be manning the helm. In the meantime, fans will definitely enjoy Eclipse*. It’s by far the best-quality film of the series.
[*Needless to say, if you're not a fan of the series and you've been dragged along by a friend, it may be best to smuggle in your iPod—or just use the time to take a nap]
Content:
The good stuff Some of the themes explored in the film: the choices we make in life about who we are and will be, and the pressure that can come from other people; abstinence prior to marriage; courage; self-sacrifice; forgiveness; and the importance of family.
Violence Frequent instances of fighting between vampires, werewolves and humans, mostly bloodless; one character is heavily scarred across her face; a woman stabs herself in the stomach (only a few drops of blood are seen), sacrificing herself in order to cause a distraction and save her tribe.
Language Mild slang terms
Sex A few references throughout (nothing crude). One theme of the film is whether or not Edward will sleep with Bella before they are married (he refuses). Prior to his refusal, they kiss passionately while lying on a bed, but there is no nudity, and inappropriate touching is minimal. (The author of the Twilight series has, sadly, come under fire from the media in the past because, as a practising Mormon, she encourages abstinence prior to marriage.)
Spirituality The film has quite a few supernatural elements: most of the main characters are vampires or werewolves. A discussion point in the film is whether vampires have had their souls taken away from them and are therefore “damned”. Edward believes he has no soul, and refuses to sleep with Bella before they are married, in case that would risk her soul.
Other Some unhealthy relationships, which children/young teens may be keen to emulate. Some elements of horror.
Moral rating Some offensive elements
The film is rated 12A in the UK.
Acting: 
Script: Production/Direction: Fun factor: Overall:
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