Review for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn-Part 1

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1
Dir: Bill Condon (2011)

 

Almost certainly, the first thing that will spring to one's attention when reading any review of the latest instalment in the Twilight series, will surely be the hideously ungainly title.
The Twilight Saga; Breaking Dawn, Part One…Really? Obviously, it's designed to cover all marketing bases, and appeal to the least intelligent life form who could possibly miss a release of this magnitude. But not falling into that category, having to be informed that yes, this is part of The Twilight Series, yes it's individually entitled "Breaking Dawn", and oh yes, there's going to be a fifth film in the series, but also a second "Breaking Dawn" feels insultingly exhaustive.
Part of the reason of for such irritation at such a supposedly irrelevant (though I would disagree, a title can make or break a picture, and often is the strongest selling point) facet of this release, is that the film doesn't warrant such intense attention to detail. Why? Because it's a staggeringly boring, unimportant, disposable piece of teenage testicular fluff.

Based on the book by Stephanie Meyer of the same name, the film is notably mainly for a lack of anything happening that warrants its' running time. Perhaps this is because the book itself is supposedly one of the more "mature" in the series, dealing with "issues", and much of this had to be handled carefully in order to fit in such a product. Additionally, this, and the next film are based on a solitary instalment in the published cannon.
The film begins with the wedding of sulky Bella (Kristen Stewart), and Edward (Robert Pattinson), during which there's a brief, predictable confrontation with furry wolf-boy, Jacob (Taylor Lautner), who's having a bit of a well, moan. The newlyweds head off to a private island resort, where they have sex for the first time, resulting in Bella's fragile body being somewhat ravaged by Edwards vampire strength. They moan for a while and mope about, before having more sex. Bella's health takes a turn for the worse, because she's yup- pregnant.
The remainder of the film has her lying about threatening to die from this burden, while everyone argues with one another and ponders what to do. Meanwhile, the werewolves are planning to attack and kill her and the child, so Jacob switches sides in order to protect her. Will she and her baby survive both the traumatic birth, and the impending wolf attack?

Now, I know Twilight is the sort of series that is staunchly defended by its followers, and that is fine .I don't wish to incur the wrath of assorted fanatics. Thus, this review is not going to an assault on the series as a whole. In fact, I thought the first Twilight was a fine film. Angsty, filled with yearning, it possessed a tangible kinetic energy, and zipped along at a nice pace. More importantly, the chemistry between the two leads was fabulous, carrying the film, and building towards a dramatic finale.
The sequels… well, the pace slipped, and with the second in particular, the filmmakers descended into an indulgent, overlong and turgid piece of nothingness. However, a few artistic and cinematic errors does not mean that Twilight is not without value, and cannot fulfil its potential. This material should be prefect fodder for romantic, and possibly outcast teenagers and young adults alike. Unfortunately, while many of said audience are lapping it up (and they really are, Breaking Dawn grossed a staggering $702 million), they're doing so indiscriminately, without regard for the fact that Breaking Dawn Part 1 feels like an overlong, meandering first act of a proper movie.

Few of the aforementioned good points though can be attributed to Breaking Dawn, a film that is preposterously ponderous. Almost everything the majority of the cast do or say, feels like a strop, an unnecessary tangent. The honeymoon scenes are a plodding chore, giving the impression they were supposed to be a wacky montage, but the editor fell in love with the material and couldn't bring himself to cut it. He should have- most of it is terrible. Likewise, as an adult, watching the werewolves bickering is a draining experience, and one that is counterproductive, greatly taking away any tension that potentially exists for an upcoming attack.
As with previous attempts, the CGI wolves just don't cut it. They look flimsy, digital and weightless, carrying neither a threat nor a thrill upon their unconvincing fur. It's become a real problem with the Twilight films… they just look fluffy and naff, and no matter how good a script is, it's always going to be difficult to stick with it once these goofy monstrosities flounder across the screen. In addition,the appearance of Breaking Dawn generally, is more than a little lacklustre. A luke-warm palette does little indeed to allow the vampires to stand out, while the rubbish wolves blend into the background in comical fashion, before grimacing during evening scenes in all their digital glory.
Performances are typically Twilight. Kristen Stewart's range can certainly be called into question, but her uniquely awkward charisma cannot. She comes under a lot of scrutiny in this series, but I believe the negativity is unwarranted. Dull as her character may be, I think she's largely perfect in the role of such an enigmatic social misfit and it's easy to see how young girls could relate to such an authentically offbeat individual.
Robert Pattinson is equally as polarising. It's merely sour grapes for the majority of detractors, because while he's clearly no James Dean, he does possess a charisma, a presence, that transcends the mopey whinge whom he plays. Here's a guy who could become a real talent, provided he is afforded the opportunity to evolve beyond his current modern, emo recycling of old stories. However, as with the predecessors, he plays off Stewart fairly well in the early scenes, but once the film revolves around her illness and labour, he has little to do other than lounge about being a complete and utter drip.
The remainder of the cast vary between being as redundant and bland as they always are, with Taylor Lautner being the one who really stands out. As Jacob, he's horrendous. One expression does the job for him, as he runs the gamut of emotions from anger to lust and err, being an unrealistic werewolf.

On the plus side, as has become a trademark, the music is very good. This time round, it includes such contemporary tunes as those by The Noisettes, Christina Perri, and the always-pleasant Angus & Julia Stone, alongside Aqualung.

Not included on our review disc, are a wide variety of special features on the finished retail version, both on DVD (which can be bought in either the special double disc version, or as a bare bones single disc release) and Blu-ray. These should ensure that fans of the franchise consider this a must-buy, as the documentary that comprises the bulk of such bonuses, is apparently quite exhaustive and detailed.

Part of the problem with Twilight as a whole, is that it is an easy target to incur critical derision. The vitriol spouted by those who don't enjoy it is both silly and selfish. News Flash- this isn't a series aimed at you. Thus, criticism of certain aspects are largely irrelevant. It's extremely annoying how people continually bemoan the fact that the vampires "twinkle" in the sun. "It shouldn't be like that!" they yell. Get lost. There are plenty of other films during which this doesn't occur.. Go watch those instead. Breaking Dawn does not deserve to be ridiculed or dismissed purely because it is part of a franchise that dabbles in a genre, without catering to those who are normally fans of said area of filmmaking. It deserves ridicule and dismal because it is one of 2011's worst films.
This isn't a terrible film in a traditional sense. Everything about it technically, is adequate, or comes close enough. However the big crime this picture commits, is that it is terribly boring. Lots theoretically happen: a marriage, loss of virginity, a pregnancy, and a birth. In practice, it feels like the movie lasts longer than Bella's pregnancy, and almost nothing worthwhile appears to take place. The failure of everyone involved in making this picture resemble anything remotely interesting whatsoever, is outrageous. Vampires, werewolves, pretty girls and buff dudes, and yet it's more painful than brushing your teeth with a straight razor. Still, it made a handful of people tons of money, eh?
This is picture for pre-existing fans, and only those who are willing to forgive any and all cinematic misdemeanours. Breaking Dawn Part One is the new dawn of boring.