Review: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1

The Twilight films are not aimed at me and I don’t particularly understand the huge following these novels/films have amassed. I believe in the old school of Vampire cinema – Max Schreck, Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, even Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt – vampires that were dark and sinister, who would suck blood and kidnap young maidens. However, none of these vampires are here to save Twilight: Breaking Dawn P1, so I’m going to attempt to review this without my blood-sucking biases. 

Those who the film is aimed at, are likely to enjoy it. Director, Bill Condon, who’s given us such delights as Gods & Monsters and Dreamgirls, abandons his usual flair, directing in a similar manner to the first three films.  Very little differs between this and the previous three – there’s still tension between the vampires and the werewolfs etc. The only major difference is that Edward and Bella are married and have lots of vampire sex. This sexual tension that has been built up throughout the three films amounts to possibly the most dull love scene void of any sexiness or emotion. The film is possibly to PG for it’s own good or maybe I’m just looking for an excuse to perv.

As per usual, the dialogue is particularly cringeworthy and the action/CGI is incredibly poor. At points, I found myself removing myself from the film, sitting back thinking ‘This is supposed to be a serious film – and there are a group of cheap looking CGI wolves having a domestic, speaking in laughable ‘growly’ voices.’ Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, both of whom are decent actors do bring a little maturity and credibility to the roles that Taylor Lautner cannot seem to provide. I’m sure he’s a nice guy but his acting is truly atrocious and at points difficult to watch. The fact that his shirt is ripped off in the first 30 seconds of the film sums up why he’s in the films. 

If you like the films, chances are you’re going to like this regardless of these negatives above. If you are not a ‘twihard’ and looking for something entertaining to watch, I’d avoid this and go see My Week With Marilyn or  Immortals.