New Moon Review
by SusanAshlea
It’s 3:20am and I just got home from the movie theater where I saw New Moon. Despite the fact that I have a doctor’s appointment in less than six hours, I wanted to write my review while it is still fresh in my mind. This contains major spoilers, so if you haven’t been lucky enough to see New Moon yet, you might not want to read. But really, what are you waiting for? Get thee to a theater, stat!
First of all, I want to send out a heartfelt “Thank you” to Chris Weitz and his production team for their vision of this film. 
When he was named the director there was speculation and some doubt and I think it was all disproved. The movie was amazing. Since New Moon is my favorite book in the Twilight Saga, I was naturally going to be critical. Unlike Twilight, I went into the movie with very high expectations. With the exception of a few minor quibbles (Rosalie’s wig, anyone?), I think the movie delivered.
The acting was far and away better than before. Jasper didn’t look constipated all the time, Alice’s wardrobe was perfect and Jacob was spot on. The human teenagers actually acted like human teenagers and Charlie was an all around great dad to Bella. But the best was Edward and Bella. Kristin Stewart truly became Bella in this movie, and Rob Pattinson toned Edward Cullen down to the perfect level. His moodiness and inner struggle was very evident without being overly so. Bella didn’t stutter or scoff every five seconds and she was every bit the haunted, lovelorn teenager.
But the spotlight shone the brightest on Taylor Lautner’s Jacob. In the books I really can’t stand the character, but he Taylor did such an amazing job at bringing his love for Bella to light in a very likable way. He showed us how well Jacob picked up the pieces of Bella’s broken heart, and his unconditional love and friendship for her; however his heartbreak and anger at her choices was palpable.
The action sequences truly made this movie. The fight between Jared and Paul was a visual masterpiece. Chris Weitz did such an amazing job and portraying the fierceness and menace of the wolfpack. In the books, I don’t think you really got a feel for how 
enormous the wolves are, and I was never “frightened” of them. However, the moment the first wolf stepped out into the meadow, I gasped aloud and grabbed my friend’s hand. I loved the boys and Sam’s interaction with Emily, and her make-up was both haunting and beautiful at the same time.
Laurent was perfect. He was a bit of a weenie in Twilight, but he brought the goods during his scene with Bella and the fight that ensued with the wolves. And let me tell you, the wolves scared the bejesus out of me in the meadow scene!
I really enjoyed how they tied in some of the minor, but necessary, subplots as well. Victoria’s chase was an excellent sequence, and putting Harry Clearwater in that scene was genius. And then there was the cliff diving. It was simply perfection. From the music in the background, to Bella’s graceful dive, to Victoria’s pursuit and Jacob’s rescue-the entire thing was probably the most perfect part of the movie.
Seeing Volterra and the Volturi come to life was another part of the movie I had high expectations for. The director took something as simple as Bella running through the square and made it into something truly romantic and very reminiscent of Romeo & Juliet. Demetri was spot-on, as was Felix and Jane. The best, however, was Aro. What a delight he was to watch! He captured the patronizing yet chilling nature of the elder vampire, and did a great job of bringing the despicable character to life.
The most frightening scene in the entire movie, hands down, was the moment that Heidi returned with her band of human bait. When I saw the children blindly following her into the chambers & heard the screaming that ensued, I was chilled to the bone. It was some spectacular imagery.
Everything flowed very well up until the Volturi element was introcuded, which was my only real complaint. I understand why it was done the way it was done though, and I wouldn’t have done it any other way had I been in Chris Weitz’s shoes.
What can I say about the ending, other than it was absolutely perfect, and had my mouth watering for Eclipse. Thank goodness I don’t have to wait an entire year to see it!
I can’t wait to hear what everyone else has to say, and I’m excited to see what kind of numbers the box office took in from the midnight showings alone.
For now, I must say good night. I’m tired and I need my beauty sleep so I can be refreshed for my next viewing of the movie: tomorrow night with my bestie best, Saluki.
Until then, let us know what you thought of the movie in the Lair!
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