Third time, still no charm for “Twilight: Eclipse”

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July 1, 2010

Sean McBride The Port Arthur News The Port Arthur News Thu Jul 01, 2010, 01:29 PM CDT

Waiting in line at the midnight screening for the new “Twilight” movie, I was surrounded by grown women who were breathlessly debating the merits of Team Edward and Team Jacob (one is all sensitive and sparkles, the other has killer abs). As these enthusiastic fans tried to convert me into a Twi-hard, I noticed two things. First, their twelve year old daughters were rolling their eyes at how their mothers were so carried away by the movie. Secondly, and most notably, nobody tried to convince me that the “Twilight” movies are actually any good.

The actors may be “dreamy” and the stories may have the pulpy appeal of a Harlequin Romance novel, but the movies have been mediocre at best. Even the film’s biggest fans admit that the movies are little more than a teenage melodrama with supernatural flourishes.

“Twilight: Eclipse” comes closer to quality than either of the earlier two installments of the franchise. It is, in fact, the best “Twilight” film so far, but that’s the very definition of damning with faint praise. This time around, Bella (Kristen Stewart) is still torn between her love for the vampire, Edward (Robert Pattinson) and her best friend/werewolf, Jacob (Taylor Lautner). The two rivals for Bella affections must put away their animosity because Victoria (Dallas Bryce Howard) has gathered a vampire army and intends to get a little revenge on Bella and the Cullen family.

“Twilight: Eclipse” is better than the previous two films because of this plot, which provides ample opportunity for the filmmakers to spice up the proceedings with supernatural action sequences. Even I must admit that the werewolf special effects are rather impressive. More action means more energy, and to my delight, less of the insufferable teenage love triangle.

Then again, at least this time around we have a story where both Edward and Jacob are in the same place at the same time. Anyone who saw the last movie knows that it’s hard to create tension in the love triangle when the male characters don’t even have any scenes together. The filmmakers have wisely rectified this problem in “Eclipse.”

Ultimately, the film does boil down to a chaste, teenage love story. It’s pulpy and overwrought, precisely the emotional mix that makes me roll my eyes but obviously appeals to teenage girls, and especially their mothers. If you’re a fan of the series, you will still enjoy “Twilight: Eclipse.” If you’re the chaperoning father, or another film critic forced to see this movie, you have my sympathies.

Movie reviews by Sean, “The Movie Guy,” are published bi-weekly in “The Port Arthur News” and weekly on KFDM-TV. Sean welcomes your comments via email at smcbride@kbcitv.com.

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