“This is the last time you’ll ever see me,” sparkly, brooding and androgynous vampire Edward Cullen, played by the equally good-looking British actor Robert Pattinson, tells Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), his mortal girlfriend. Of course, he’s lying, even though critics wish he’d been serious about it. The entire “New Moon,” the second installment of “The Twilight Saga” revolves around Edward or, rather, around the presence of his absence, as fans who have already devoured Stephenie Meyer’s four books already know. Directed by Chris Weitz, a director with lots of extraordinary projects under his belt, “New Moon” is definitely this year’s best worst movie released, critics agree.
The follow-up to the 2008 “Twilight,” renamed to capitalize on the madness it generated, starts off where the first film left off. Edward is still a vampire and Bella, though she resents it, is still the same moody, depressed and personality-devoid mortal she was last year. They are in love and, while she torments herself with thoughts that she’s growing old and he remains petrified in time, painfully beautiful with all those layers of makeup and golden contact lenses, he is happy that she gets to keep her soul while having her also love him.
On Bella’s 18th birthday, she gets a surprise party with the Cullens. However, as any other teen should know, partying with vampires always comes with personal safety hazards: she gets a papercut and is about to become Jasper’s (the newest and most bad-tempered vampire of the vegetarian pack) next meal. In an ultimate act of self-control, self-sacrifice and, to many, absolute love, Edward decides it’s best for Bella if he goes away and never sees her again. In doing so, he not only leaves her open to attacks from resentful red-head killer vampire Victoria and her sidekick, but also in a near-catatonic state that is resumed by Weitz by having her spend three months in the same chair, the same sweat pants and, obviously, taking no bathroom breaks.
At one point, Bella discovers that, despite her fears that she’s starting to forget Edward, whom she still loves desperately, she can see him (or, better yet, a semi-transparent, hologram-like version of him) whenever she’s in real danger. At the same time, she also rekindles her relation with childhood friend Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) who, for personal reasons, agrees to fix her bike and engage in risky outdoor activities that imply no helmets or other safety measures. But Bella is not the regular high school girl, so Jake is not what he looks like either: in fact, he’s a werewolf and likes to hang around Calvin Klein model types who take standing shirtless in the rain to the level of art. As a werewolf, Jake is a sworn enemy of vampires, his very transformation being dependent on the bloodsuckers.
Sticking very close to the source material from Meyer’s book, the next twist in the plot has Edward believing Bella has killed herself and deciding to do the same by exposing his sparkly self to people and having the Volturi, the only authority vampires know and respect, do him off. There’s a mad car chase, lots of running through a crowd dressed in red cloaks, a too short sequence (for some) of a bare-chested and pale white Edward, and the film climaxes with a kiss between the two star-crossed lovers, the reversed image of the Romeo and Juliet story that was so loved by screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg that she even included quotes from it in the film.
Critics agree that “New Moon” is, without a single doubt, the single most atrocious, awkward and embarrassing film to be released in 2009. With a story that has the support of millions of fans (and we’re not even talking teens necessarily), an able director, an actress who shone in one of the most understated films of the year (“Adventureland”), a British actor with plenty of potential, and good looks to go all around, it’s positively amazing how bad the film can be. This happens, critics believe, because the script was bad, the dialogue cringe-worthy and the pressure too big, which inevitably led to Weitz and the cast doing what the studio, Summit Entertainment, wanted. And what Summit wanted from the start was to make many millions off the film – mission accomplished.
There is little acting in “New Moon.” Pattinson, believed to be a star with plenty of potential (hype generated by good looks aside), only knows how to frown and brood, with every word coming out of his pretty mouth accompanied by the distinct impression that he’s suffering from severe constipation. Kristen Stewart, genuinely a good actress, is as blank as a sheet of paper, managing to do the impressive feat of not once letting any kind of emotion show on her face. Lautner, although off to a promising start, soon becomes stuck in the “hunk” category and just somewhat settles for looking pretty and buff.
The only redeeming characters in the film are Charlie Swan (Billy Burke) and Aro (Michael Sheen), with one seemingly constantly confused by the atrocity going around him, and the other so shocked he can’t but make fun of it. Which is what all the actors should have done, some critics believe, because they’re all trying so hard to make of this a “serious,” “grownup” thing that they come across as downright ridiculous. “New Moon” is not unintentionally funny – it is hilarious, which is also probably the only thing stopping non-fans from walking out in the first 10 minutes. Painful to watch and almost irresistible not to, “New Moon” is like a trainwreck that happens before the viewers’ eyes: they want to avert their attention from it but are unable to.
“The Twilight Saga: New Moon” opened in select US theaters on November 16 and in most territories a few days later, on the 20th. At the moment, it continues to be at number one in most box-office charts. It runs 130 minutes and is rated PG-13 for some violence and action.
The Good
“New Moon” is more elaborate and sophisticated than “Twilight,” with better photography, action scenes and a score that would put to shame most Hollywood productions. For fans, it will certainly not be a disappointment, sticking almost to the letter to Meyer’s book (save some minor adaptations). The end is not so much a resolution as a promise of things to come – and hopes are high that what will come will be better, with director David Slade (“Hard Candy,” “30 Days of Night”) helming “Eclipse.”
The Bad
“New Moon” is a movie made for financial reasons alone, which makes it so that it is 129 minutes (of the 130 runtime) too long. Everything that happens in it could have been resumed in a single shot, critics say. Given the popularity of Meyer’s books, this makes even non-fans feel a tinge of regret and some resentment at Summit for ruining what would have otherwise been a potentially beautiful love story.
The Truth
Fans will love “New Moon” no matter what reviews say because it finally allows them to have a proper visual of the book they loved so much. Non-fans will smile and cringe and wonder what makes the “Twilight” phenomenon one of the most impressive we have today in showbiz. “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” is a work dedicated to fans and the almighty dollar, so lamenting how awful it is is probably redundant.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE NEW MOON:THE MOVIE. IT WAS AWESOME, AND PHEMONAL. ILOVED IT. IT MATHCED THE BOOK PERFECTALLY. ITS WHOLE LOT MORE INTENSE THAN THE FIRST ONE. I WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN. IT WAS THE BEST,BESIDES TWLIGHT, EVER. TWILIGHT IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE, BUT NEW MOON FALLS VERY, VERY AND INTENSELY CLOSE BEHIND IT. NEW MOON IS ACTUALLY TIE WITH TWILIGHT AS MY FAVORITE MOVIES. AND I LOVE ALL THE BOOKS,TOO. KEEP IT GOING, GUYS.
It's only "atrocious and awkward," and "129 minutes too long" if you haven't read the books or hate the Twilight series going into it. If both those things apply, why see the movie in the first place. Fans of the series love the movie, the actors and the Director Chris Weitz for being true to a story and characters they love.
This review couldn't be more wrong! I just got done reading the books after I had already seen Twilight and New Moon. They are great. The movies are wonderful- I left the theater ecstatic because a movie hadn't left me feeling like that in a long time and I am well out of my teenage years. People are excited to see these movies after they have read them because they like to see them come alive and let all those who didn't read them get a chance to experience a little how the books make you feel.
THINK AGAIN!! Awesome movie!
The Truth paragraph is soo WRONG!!! I am a huge fan of the Twilight Saga and I am very dissapointed in both of the movies! At first I thought okay I can deal with them fudging up the first one bc they have 3 more books to make up for it. But then New Moon came out and just pissed me off bc they cramed all of the major scenes into it and left everything in between out. I asked some of my friends who hadnt read the books if they were ever confused about what was going on and I wasnt suprised with their answer. I could go on and on about what they could have done better but the statement above about summit rushing it for the money was hit right on the head. The books are loved by millions I wish that they could have done them justice. And since Eclipse is already done filming I can pretty much bet its gonna SUCK!!! I will NOT pay to go see this one! Summit has ruined everything!
Comment #6 by: jess richardson on 07 Dec 2009, 03:03 UTC
I am a huge fan of the book series and also of both Robert and Kristen, but I was a little disappointed with the new moon movie. I think Kathren was able to capture that emotional and exciting feeling of falling in love/and the romance of the books etc through her clever use of emotional music throughout the scenes which didn't seem to happen in new moon.
She was also told to make sure Robert was good looking in the movie which i think they succeeded in doing (and is what made him a heart throb).
In new moon they succeeded in making a goergoes guy look unattractive (in some of the scenes). I don't know what the make up artist was thinking. I also think the clothes he wearsin Twighlight are much better for his coloring. He always looks better in light greys and blues. He doesn't suit cream, brown, red or dark tweed suits its wrong for his complection.
I agree that the romantic scenes with Edward were far too short and lacked the magic/romantic thrill of the first movie. The last scene where he asks Bella to marry him could have been made to be incredibly romantic with the right music and beutiful scenery etc, but the audience was still thinking about the conversation/fight that just occurred with Jacob and before you know it he proposes out of the blue like an order and the movie is over.
I love Hardwick's Twilight. I thought it was too slow, but the beautiful chemistry between Edward and Bella captivated me. I thought Pattinson did a beautiful Job on Twilight. He looked awkward and weird in New Moon. He's 17 and they dressed him like he's 35. What happened to the E&B of Twilight.? When I heard C Weitz was doing New Moon, I worried that the love story will suffer so we can get lots of action and special effects. On both counts I was right. I enjoyed some of the film and I think Lautner did a good job. C. Weitz basically KILLED the love and chemistry of Edward and Bella. Two heavy scenes in the book, the break-up and reunion was totally ruined. They rushed through them like an afterthought. They should have retained Hardwick to shoot those scenes. I do not think it's the worst film of the year. That's an exageration. Critics always hate things that are popular. It makes them feel good about having a big stick up their you know what. Personally I don't care for movie critics because I feel movies, music, and ar,t are a matter of taste. You don't need someone to tell you what you'll like. I do agree with you on the script writer and the director.
The only complaint I have heard of New Moon is that the music could have been better. The acting and the story line is just like the book!!! Which is awesome!!!! The music should have been more "feeling induced" like the othe person said....but see, only a women could really do that!! Catherine Hardwick in the first movie got that down perfect!!!!
New Moon was great...just like the books!!!!
**I only hope they get a wmone to direct and do Breaking Dawn!!! We NEED that emotional connection in the movie!!!
I was very disappointed in New Moon the movie. While it largely remained true to the book, the movie had a lot of problems. Apart from Kristen Stewart (who was simply amazing and carried the whole movie - and some of the minor characters - Charlie, Jessica, Mike et al), the acting was appalling. I can't remember the last time I went to the movies where I noticed the acting over the action/storyline more than I did when I saw NM. The direction was awful - more focus on action than emotion. The movie just skimmed the surface of the major plotlines. The selected music missed the mark for the most part, and that truly awful instrumental music dominating the background for the bulk of the movie just about did me in. I'm truly gutted this film was so bad as I love the Twilight saga and was hoping for better than what we got. Elena Gorman's review is pretty well spot on and there's not much I can argue against - as hard as it is for this devoted fan of the books to admit. Sadly, after my experience with NM, I don't have much hope that Eclipse will be any better.
Comment #10 by: stephanie on 08 Dec 2009, 15:05 UTC
Worst movie of the year? A bit harsh I think. Not the best film either - it did have so much potential, but unfortunately due to pathetic screen adaptation it just totally missed the point of the book. I disagree with your thoughts on Kristen's performance, I thought she was great. Rob just didn't have any good material to work with (all the best of the book somehow got thwarted and messed with for the movie) so he was never in a position to 'bring it'. I'm a die hard twihard, but you're wrong about fans loving it. I am bitterly disappointed in this movie as it just sweeps over the depth of emotions of the characters, and about 1/3 of the book gets wrapped up in the end 5 minutes of the film, which is basically the re-union of Bella and Edward which is really emotional and intense in the book. I really, really hope that they don't leave the best of Eclipse on the cutting room 'recycle bin' file, and KEEP IT THE WAY IT WAS WRITTEN. Someone needs to tell them to LISTEN to their fan base as, lets face it, 1/2 a million$, for New Moon - just imagine if it had lived up to our expectations. If they don't stuff Eclipse, they could make 3 times that much as every TWI fan would see it at least 3 times at the cinemas. (Yes, I have seen New Moon twice - thought I missed something the first time around, but alas, there was still nothing there the second time) And, the Eclipse book seems to be everyone's favourite and really could bring a whole load of new fans to the saga if they just get the film right!!!!!!
I'm not gonna lie I am a huge fan of the books and have read them over and over again, but the movies SUCK! I have to watch them because I just have too. New Moon was a step up from Twilight on screen and Im hoping Eclipse is way better due to all the action that will be in it. I am just really disappointed when I watch it cause it makes it so not believable. Plus stewart as bella in the paper cut scene alone was awkward as Hell! I just wish it were more natural and believable. I love the books and I just want the movie to live up to it.
i really liked the books and have to say new moon was one of my favs, but the film was awfull, huge dissapointment. They changed a lot compared to twililght and i thought that it was too rushed.
Comment #14 by: Shelby S. on 29 Dec 2009, 20:19 UTC
I love these books and i watched Twilight before reading and that's what made me want to read. I loved the first movie but i only saw bits and pieces of New Moon and that was enough for me... New Moon was my favorite book and i'm super disappointed with New Moon :(
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