Movie Review - Eclipse

While first part Twilight introduced the translucent relationship and electric attractions of frail Bella (Kristen Stewart) and mysteriously handsome vampire Edward (Robert Pattison), second part New Moon questioned the unusual alliance establishing the scope for a troublesome triangle owing to were-wolf Jacob's (Taylor Lautner) fixation for Bella. The story picks up exactly from where it left, and thus gives birth to the third part of the Twilight franchise - Eclipse. If you thought the second installment in the series, ‘New Moon’ was just about a bunch of shirtless hot boys prancing around with a plot hanging on a thin thread, be prepared for this one. 

Lovers Bella and Edward, with Jacob for added company still have to make up their minds on what’s more important – Bella’s life or their happily-ever-after story. Whilst Edward and Jacob snarl at each other and make clear their deep affection for Bella, Bella seems more dazed than ever in terms of her relationship with her two antagonistic suitors, and more confused on which monster she’s more interested in. Icy cold boyfriend or hot-blooded friend? Well-behaved vampire or determined aggressive werewolf. Oh! The tough choices a girl has to make these days! To add to their troubles, vampire Victoria makes a comeback wanting to avenge the death of her lover James tugging along her trained new set of vampires (who btw look like boy-band rejects)

Will Edward & Jacob join forces to protect Bella? And Bella’s decision ‘to be or not be a vampire’ forms the story of Eclipse.

For most part of its running time, the movie is about conversations - between Bella-Edward, Bella-Jacob, Edward-Jacob, and finally Edward-Bella-Jacob. At a point in the movie, I felt that it would have been better to have combined new moon and eclipse, done some heavy editing and have it all in one film instead of stretching it needlessly. Since we had been exposed to the freshness of vampire-human romance and vampire-werewolf rivalry, there should have been an extra zing in this one to bank upon. Sizzling chemistry between Bella and Edward or some adrenaline-pumping vampire action. Sadly, between parts 2 and 3, there is nil story progress, characters haven’t added any substance, and hardly anything unpredictable takes place.

Three movies and you would think the cast would have warmed up to their characters and shown some praise-worthy acting. No such luck here! Taylor bagged the stronger role with some fine but equally cheesy one-liners hence overshadows Robert who looks as if he’s going to cry in a minute or sneeze in the second. Bella remains an unlikable character, her acting is poor, and she continues to don a disgruntled look, appearing withdrawn and drab.

There are moments that ensure you enjoy the antagonism between the two gorgeous boys, irrespective of your loyalty towards anyone in particular. Here lies the charm of Eclipse. Although it lacks the awe-inspiring magnetism of Twilight, it is more intense and enthralling than New Moon. This is the first Twilight film that manages a stand-alone in its own right and is tedious yet enjoyable in small fragments. Stuffed with uninspired characters and cliché dialogues, Eclipse is doubtful to win many new fans, the quality of the stories remains along a straight horizontal plane with a whole lot of vaccum.

Final Verdict: Obviously aimed at the teenage female fan base, with Taylor going shirtless in every opportunity he comes across, the movie is action-packed but highly mundane and mushy. Overall, by the end of it, there will be two sets of people - the faithful twi-hards who will lap every second of the film or the serious movie aficionados who will scream foul and groan.