New Moon has landed!

So if you’re going to jump on the bandwagon you might as well go all the way. A fan of all four Twilight Saga books, I have been highly anticipating the film release of the second installment of the series, New Moon, even despite the disappointing performances as provided by Kristen Stewart and the hunky Robert Pattinson in the first film.

“Twilighters” have taken the literary world by storm and now the film version of the book series is taking the film world on…again. The question is though, after the franchise endured much criticism at the direction taken in the first film, will the second film provide not only an accurate portrayal of the book but a cinematically competent film as well? Naturally, I’ve seen the film and my vote is in.

Thursday night, the 19^th, I decided to partake in the double feature event that AMC was providing as part of the midnight release of New Moon. Therefore at 8pm, one of my girlfriends and I arrived to take our seats for the 9pm showing of Twilight. Although I already own a copy of the Twilight dvd and have seen the first film in theaters twice, I wanted to fully experience the Twilight Saga and compare the progression of the film series back-to-back.

Since I’m pretty much an uber fan of the books, like most other fans, I was able to forgive the often excruciating on screen interactions between Bella (Stewart) and Edward (Pattinson) in the first movie. I mean, even on a mug like Pattinson’s, the constipation-look that he adopted for the role was entirely unflattering, not too mention the pale and cakey foundation that was supposed to imitate the lack of blood circulation. But, a repeat lack-luster performance, and more made-for-tv special effects the second time would just be embarrassing. That is why I am pleased to say that after having sat through over 4 hours of what turned out to be a Twilight-extravaganza (including an opening performance in the middle of the movie theater by a local band whose songs comically narrated the plot lines of the books), New Moon definitely shows improvements to the film saga.

The dull canvas of Forks, WA and the even duller palor of the actors in the film, a la cakey foundation, has been replaced with a more rich color palette as a result of high definition and crisp filming and the proficient use of color-correction in post. And the graphics introduced with the shape-shifting werewolves is just the icing on the cake, and definitely does not ring of any sort of Smallville-esque SFX.

Unfortunately though, since New Moon is one of the more subdued and event-less books of the series these sort of improvements are somewhat lost on this installment, and the film is forced to rely more heavily on the acting of its main players. Chris Weitz, the new director of the series, fortunately seems to bring out some better acting techniques out of Stewart and company. Surprisingly her normal default setting of twitchy and awkward mannerisms is replaced with a more natural and more “Bella-ish” disposition. But, that could partly be due to the fact that most of the on-screen interaction and chemistry involves a way hunkier Jacob, as played by Taylor Lautner. The light and airy affectation of Lautner brings out an equally light and more likable side of Stewart, which is precisely what I imagined Jacob and Bella to appear like together. Lautner, and his biceps, are partly what saves this film from being just an overtly depressing profile of a stilted teenager whose only will to live stems from her vampire boyfriend.

That being said, the film possesses a degree of cinematic likability that stands a few hairs above Twilight, but with a storyline that lacks significant action and plot progression, aside from the introduction of Bella and Jacob’s potential romance, the average film-goer will find the film slow moving and just a conduit for the third film.

But like I said, I’ve already drunk the kool-aid, and even though I’ve read the books, the cliff-hanger ending still made me swoon. So, I’m sure I will still be purchasing the DVD with bonus features the first day of its release next year.