My Quick Thoughts on Breaking Dawn Part I
I felt it necessary to let you know how the movie was, for me, especially after my earlier rant regarding the movie. First, I would like to praise the particular theater that we saw the movie in, The Theaters at Canal Place (downtown New Orleans). I know most of you aren’t in the area, but what a place to see a movie! The ticket price is higher than the usual AMC theater, but anywhere I can have concierge service and order a fantastic Rioja before the show from a very conciliatory waitress – I’m all about it! Not to mention the intimate seating. Fold out tray tables and no more than forty seats. I’m sold. That will be where the grown-ups see their movies from now on. Just might have to save our nickels for a few months before doing so. Gives me plenty of time for The Hunger Games.
Now, for the movie.
The first five minutes I was kind of scared because they just went right into the movie without any fan fare or credits. My husband actually leaned over an asked me, “Is this the movie?” And on top of it they had this really, I guess the word, cheesy comes to mind, background music playing and it really scared me because it just seemed awkward. But, it settled down, the wedding began and the story began to unfold. The wedding was beautiful and remarkably done. I really enjoyed the toasts and thought it was a well played plus for serious fans of the series.
The honeymoon was spectacular and from this point on it followed the book amazing well. Non-book readers might have had a hard time understanding the complexity of the situation, Bella’s thoughts about keeping the child, Edward’s thoughts about it destroying her, Rosalie’s roll in the whole situation. But, being such an internal play I don’t know how this could have been accomplished better. The only one I think they might have explained better was Rose. But they kept it very very close to the book from what I could tell.
The CGI enhancement of Bella was amazing, they did such a good job just making her look wasted. I kept thinking, “Oh she looks horrible.” Like a concerned friend, I feel quite attached to these characters. Then — once the birthing scene goes into full gear it is nothing but a cringe fest. It was handled beautifully also, nothing was held back, but I do think this is where they deviated from the book to tantalize non-book readers and it kind of irritated me, yet their sidetrack make logical sense, since in the book Bella’s change to vampire is so very internal.
I also have to say that the Jacob scenes were actually explained a bit better via movie (his battling with the thought of imprint, Leah’s take on things, his actual imprint) than book. Or maybe I wasn’t giving them credit in the book and I’ve had time to accept them for the movie. But, it was well done, yet if I was Edward and my newborn daughter just imprinted on a grown wolf I think I might have been a bit more concerned. It is what it is right?
• Make-up was better
• Acting has improved but still needs work
• Settings were brilliant and absolutely gorgeous
Now for the dislikes. The soundtrack was horrible. They usually have such good music in these movies, the background music was terribly cheesy, from the elevator love songs during the wedding and honeymoon, to the booming tribal drums for the wolf scenes. It was just badly handled and when I notice the background music something is off. Then they recycled most of the music from the earlier movies. The only good music was music from prior soundtracks.
The entire group was in agreement with the Alpha split scene, where Jacob stands up to Sam. It could been improved. It was really rather off and again cheesy comes to mind. This includes the graphics also, the motion of the wolves was noticeably off, the jumping and things like that. They were better done in New Moon and Eclipse. I know canter and movement is the hardest thing to do in computer graphics, you could tell it needed work.
Overall, I was pleased and enjoyed the movie. I do think that they should have made this one movie though because I had the impression that it was a short movie leaving the theater and a few in our group remarked the same way. They’ve done three hour movies before, right? Do we remember Titanic? The wedding and honeymoon could have been cut down a bit. I just feel they are being money grubby on extending the series much like Harry Potter. That is just my humble opinion though and I urge fans to go see it.
From an outsider’s perspective, I dragged the hubs to this one. He hadn’t seen any of the movies (maybe bits of Twilight) and had not read a word of the books. I gave him a synopsis of the storyline before we attended. His thoughts were actually positive and said it was a good love story and the movie carried him. So there you go.
SPOILER ALERT *****
My favorite scene was the very ending. I’m a CGI dork and watching Bella’s body reanimate was amazing! And the ending scene with her popping those eyes open. I thought they ended it very well and it was compelling enough. I wanted to see her jump up though…
Questions if you’ve seen the movie *****
Did you see the movie? What did you think of the soundtrack? How about the wolves? Did the internal fight seem cheesy to you? Did you find the honeymoon and wedding too dragged out and they probably could have fit it all in one longer movie?
I thought the honeymoon was too drawn out, the wedding was beautiful and my favourite parts of it were the toasts and Charlie xD. My least favourite part was the scene where the wolves were speaking telepathically I thought it was cheesy and hard to listen too especially the part where Jacob stood up to Sam. I had to roll my eyes.
Yes, the honeymoon was drawn out. I think they put a lot of the focus on the battle between Edward and Bella to have sex, which yes was in the book, but had nothing really integral to carry the plot – all the chess playing. Whatever. I still think they could have put it all together in one movie. I guess they figure they part II will be an introduction of all the other characters – so they’ll probably focus a lot on that. Who knows. The wolf scene was probably my worst one too.
I’m going to see it Tuesday night. Wish I could see it in that awesome looking theater. But I think 8 hours is to long to drive for a movie. LOL
I’ve heard good things about the movie from friends that has seen it.
As far as the soundtrack I’ve listened to the sample and there is only two songs I liked. The Bruno Mars and Christina Perri songs.
I’ll come back to this post and comment again after I’ve seen the movie.
Oh, man. I’ve heard about awesome theaters like the one you went to, but I’ve never been to one. One of these days….
About the movie: I agree that the honeymoon was very drawn out. I think the wedding was the perfect length (and the toasts were so great). The scenes with the wolves just seemed cheesy to me, although I really liked the conversations between Jacob, Seth, and Leah. They showed a lot of Jacob’s and Leah’s problems well. Overall, I think I would have been perfectly happy if they had combined both movies. I also felt like it was a short movie, and I have no idea how they are going to draw the second half of the book out long enough for another movie.
Oh, and Bella’s preggo-zombie look? So, SO awesome.
We recently got one of those dinner-and-a-movie theaters by us and yup! It gives a whole new meaning to date night for adults.
I’m the first to say I am NOT a Twilight fan (I’ll spare you the bulk of my rant why), and while I think the scriptwriters and director did the best they could with the imprinting thing, I’m sorry, but it’s still creepy. I don’t care how Jacob sees the baby as she’ll one day be, she’s still a minutes-old infant! It’s the same thing with Lolita–just because he saw the potential of womanhood in his twelve-year-old stepdaughter, didn’t stop it from being pedophilia. And I had the same squicked-out reaction to Breaking Dawn.
Smiles!
Lori
I think the last book should’ve been one movie. For people who didn’t read the book that went with me thought it was really slow. This is my least favorite book in the series so I knew I wouldn’t like the movie either. I give props to Kristen Stewart for looking like crap through the whole movie though!
Angie
I’ve read the first book and part of New Moon. Where were the Voultarie? I don’t know if they were in the book version, but it would have been cool to see them attend the wedding.I thought they were so big on seeing Edward and Bella get together. I totally agree about the music. I was actually glad to hear the music from the first film, it was so good. It’s the only soundtrack of the series I’ve purchased.
During the wolf fight scenes, I kept thinking that no one was gettting hurt, so it seemed kind of fake. Everyone certainly looks a lot older. Emmit has put on some weight…lol…Even Carlisle, the dad was heavier. I found the film kind of depressing. Bella looked like she was scared to death as she walked down the aisle. It had a dreary sensibility about it.
That being said, I do like the film, but so far, none of them compare to the absolute magic of the first one. They’ve been good, decent, but they just don’t compare to the awesomeness of discovering Twilight for the first time…sigh…
I saw the movie on Thursday with a friend. I haven’t read the books, bu I’ve gotten a play by play, so I already know what happens. That being said, I was kind of uncomfortable throughout most of the movie. I always feel rally awkward when Edward and Bella are together, I think because Bella (aka Kristen Stewart) is very awkward herself. It makes my skin crawl when they are kissing and doing….other things. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the scenes with the wolves. I enjoyed the wedding, and the honeymoon…but agreed that it was too drawn out. Overall, I enjoyed the movie, but I do wish that they had made it into one movie. Part 1 doesn’t have anything to offer people who aren’t interested in the Bella/Edward romance.
I thought the movie was really great. Their acting has grown leaps and bounds since that first movie (which was like a poor, watered down version of the book). June I definitely agree with you on Emmett and Carlisle…and with Bella looking like she was going to throw up walking down the aisle. I think that was just to show how when she looked up and finally saw Edward, she found her strength, which is kind of how the book went too. I do sort of agree that the honeymoon was longer than it needed to be, but I actually enjoyed the part where he was keeping her busy/avoiding her…the chess playing was like a metaphor, he was checkmating her attempts to seduce him and then in her dream she finally beats him. I thought it was kind of clever. And yes, my husband leaned over during the part where the wolves are speaking telepathically and was like “Seriously? This is so stupid.”
I took my 12 yo to see it at midnight when it released. I enjoyed the movie, but wish it had been one entire film instead of being divided into two. When I got home, I jumped on Twitter (my phone broke on the way to the show) and tweeted my dislike and annoyance at the music. It worked my last nerve. It WAS cheesy.
I wish they would have gone into depth about Rose’s feelings. I knew what was up, but my daughter didn’t have a clue. I also thought the final scene during the credits was majorly cheesy. It felt like a scene from a bad horror film.
Ha! It’s funny you mention Titanic in this review. We got a trailer for Titanic in 3D (really? what exactly is 3D gonna do for that movie? talk about money grubbing) before our Breaking Dawn. I agree it should have just been one movie, then again I said HP7 should have been one movie, too. I would have sat through 6 hours of it, were that the case.
I agree the music was annoying. At one point I was like: seriously? isn’t this one from the first movie? I mean, I can understand them recycling Bella’s Lullaby, that’s like, the official theme, or whatever, but Flightless Bird, American Mouth? Come on.
All together, yeah some bits were a bit cheesy/awkward, but I thought this was the best done of the movies so far, so that’s something, at least.
@June, the Volturi were at the very end, during the credits. (Actually, I haven’t read it in a while, but I don’t think they went to the wedding in the book, either, just sent Bella a necklace) . The cut to them receiving word that Bella was now part of the family. (It’s a message from Carlisle. Which is spelt with an “s”.) What I did like about this clip in particular is that they allude to what Aro really wants. I don’t know, I though t it was well done.
@Jamie, ha! I went with the other Pretty Staffers, and they were all saying the same thing. “She looks like she’s gonna puke.” I just thought she looked like she was in a lot of pain. Like maybe we was walking down the aisle while trying to change into a vamp.
I agree about your cons. The soundtrack was a bit blah, and the internal struggle for the Wolves seemed a bit off. I also thought they should have just made it longer, but overall, I think it was an improvement.
My biggest con was Edward. I really think they’ve messed his character up in the movies. He was my favorite in the book, but in the movie…I ended up liking Jake better.
Overall, I did like it, and I will go see the next one. I just wish it was sooner, so we wouldn’t have to wait so long. I really do hate that they split it up.
Alexandra~
My Post on the movie: http://wordsoftheworlds.blogspot.com/2011/11/random-thoughts-twilight-tidings.html
Great review! My thoughts exactly. I’m glad you liked the adults only theater. I love those, makes me want to find one next to where I live now. Best experience ever! LOL Last movie I saw like that was 300. I’m a cgi dork as well so I’m right there with you, all that was the best part of the movie!
Francesca
I bookmarked this post to save until I saw the movie.
I can’t remember the soundtrack. Either I was too into the movie to notice or it didn’t do anything for me. I’ll pay attention when I get the DVD and watch it again.
They did a great job making Bella look ill. She looked horrible!
The inner dialogue between the pack was cheesy. I winced.
I was expecting more with the imprint scene.
During the wedding, I didn’t recongize Bella’s mom. It looked like she had a birds nest in her hair. WTF was up with the hair stylists?
All in all, I really enjoyed BD Part I. Bella evolving into a vampire was beautifully done. I love the way it ended, with her eyes opening and you see they’re red. I can’t wait for BD II.