'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse' does bring that promised 'great state of balance' [Spoiler Alert!]

As always, this The Twilight Saga: Eclipse review comes with a cautionary introduction: it is written by a Twilight fan, for Twilight fans.

STORY: Stephenie Meyer
DIRECTOR: David Slade
SCREENWRITER: Melissa Rosenberg

CAST: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Nikki Reed, Kellan Lutz, Jackson Rathbone, Ashley Greene, Billy Burke, Xavier Samuel, Bryce Dallas Howard, Dakota Fanning, Daniel Cudmore, Charlie Bewley, Cameron Bright, Gil Birmingham, Chaske Spencer, Alex Meraz, Tyson Houseman, Kiowa Gordon, Booboo Stewart, Tinsel Korey, Julia Jones, Alex Rice, Anna Kendrick, Michael Welch, Justin Chon, and Christian Serratos.

First of all, there’s been quite a bit of buzz about this film. It’s for good reason. Remember back in December when David Slade promised that the film was presenting a "great state of balance" between the love story aspects of Eclipse and the action sequences? Well, I was as skeptical as anybody, but he was right.

For the first time, with Eclipse, we get to truly step out of Bella’s shoes and into Forks (and Seattle, too). Kristen Stewart isn’t in every frame, but she’s in enough. Bella is there, and Edward is there, and Jacob is there, but there are also new, fresh faces that exonerate the tensions (or, when necessary add to them) of the “Twifecta” and lead us into new lives (and undeaths). This, in turn, makes the love story aspect that much more sweet and significant.

Obviously, there are three main book-based back-stories brought in with Eclipse: Jasper’s (Jackson Rathbone), Rosalie’s (Nikki Reed), and the Quileute wolves’ (told by Gil Birmingham as Billy Black). These are all beautifully done, but they are also quite quick (just as they were in the book). Really, they stand out for the fact that they give their respective characters a chance to shine and to share some perspective with our protagonist (which, in turn, helps move the story along). These are stories we’ve known for quite a while, thanks to the books. They play out very similarly to their literary counterparts such that there are few surprises – though that’s not to say they aren’t terribly fun (and theatrical) to watch.

Still, the real newness Eclipse ushers in comes in the form of Riley (portrayed by Xavier Samuel). The focus on Riley was something that we slowly came to understand as promotional materials for the film were revealed, but it is still fascinating to watch his story – not just from Bella’s or Bree’s perspectives – unfold. It is also fun to see how closely Riley’s ill-fated devotion to Victoria mirrors what could’ve been for Jasper with his Maria if there were no Alice Cullen. The freshness of this portion of the story is exhilirating.

Over all, the entire movie is still about relationships, though – how they lift you up, how they threaten your countenance, how they drive you to do things you might not have, and, finally, how they can heal.

What promised to be an action-packed film certainly was just that. The fight scenes are everything they were hyped up to be and then some. And even though there are a zillion TV spots and clips for this film, the best moments of the action sequences are left just for the theaters.

And the action does not trump the love story here. Not at all, actually. In fact, one of the most surprising things for me when watching Eclipse was how developed and strong the acting and dialogue delivery in the emotional scenes were. I loved Chris Weitz’s dedication to fans with New Moon, but the story didn’t give him the fodder for intensity the way that Eclipse did for David Slade. So, hands down, Eclipse has the best acting of the three so far.

I’ll stop there. It was excellent, and I know you will love it so much.

Some of you sent in questions for this review a few weeks back, and I’ll answer a few of them below. If you don’t want to read any spoilers don’t continue past this point!

• Flow of the movie, slow parts or is it fast paced? Lighting, too dark or a mixture?

There are some slow – perhaps paced is a better word for it – in the movie, but a lot of it is fast. Every important moment between Edward, Bella, and Jacob lasts just long enough, though, if that eases your mind.

• Are all the steamy scenes B/T Bella & Edward in the film? Ex. Leghitch, Bella trying to seduce Edward, etc.

Yes! With a few nice additional romantic touches as well. Hint: look for the color orangeish-red.

• I wanna hear about the difference in tone thx to DS

I think the tone was more serious but also more professional. It is a more advanced film than the prior two.

• Your opinion of the tent scene and J/B kisses. :-)

The tent scene was well done. As I mentioned, I thought the acting was a cut above in this one. I’m Team Edward, no doubt, but the Jacob and Bella mountaintop kiss was very sincere.

• Did it live up to the book and what scenes had to be cut out of the movie??

Oh yes, and not very many that I could recall.

• NM has some humor ... is there some in Eclipse?”

There’s quite a bit of humor in this one, but it’s subtle – very subtle, at times. Nothing obvious like “put the dog out” from New Moon.

Article by Twilight Examiner {Amanda Bell}

[Ina Noorazan]

New ECLIPSE scene!

Source: YouTube

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Taylor Lautner appeared on Live with Regis and Kelly aired on June 28th, 2010

Source: YouTube

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Taylor Lautner & Kristen Stewart At The New York City Screening Of Eclipse

Actors Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner capped off a busy day of Eclipse promoting by attend The Cinema Society Screening Of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse at Crosby Street Hotel on June 28, 2010 in New York, New York.

Kristen hit up David Letterman earlier, while Taylor made an appearance on Today as well as Live With Regis & Kelly. Hopefully, they'll get a chance to sleep soon.

Thank you Socialitelife

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Kristen Stewart promotes 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse' on 'Late Show' despite wonky David Letterman

Kristen Stewart is a mass of class, and that fact has never been clearer than tonight after she appeared on The Late Show With David Letterman to try and promote The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

From the very start, the interview was awkward, and while Kristen Stewart looked beautiful (bringing another fire-and-ice-themed one-armed number) with her brand new 'do, David Letterman didn't seem to know much about the Twilight series at all. So, Kristen Stewart was stuck answering lame questions like "How many have there been?" and "You're not a vampire yourself in the movies?" Still, Kristen Stewart held her own and made a pun or two to keep the conversation flowing.

After squeezing in an account of her promotional travels for Eclipse with co-star Taylor Lautner, David Letterman then went on to bring adorable photographs of Stewart's family's pet wolf-dogs to the fore. Only, somehow the conversation became a political debate about the validity of protectionist efforts for gray wolves (David Letterman's argument being that the destruction of endangered species is acceptable when farm cattle are in question - so as not to "eradicate the cattle industry" - and Kristen Stewart's being that perhaps the machine gun slaughtering of said wolves by helicopter is undesirable). For more on this issue, please see here. Gracefully, Kristen Stewart settled the debate by saying, "I'll take them, they can come and live in my backyard."

She went on to introduce an Eclipse clip - the "doesn't he have a shirt?" clip - and he once again purveyed his lack of information (or, seemingly, interest) about the Saga. As one Twitterer put it, "Kristen proves her acting prowess when pretending to think Letterman's jokes are funny."

Taylor Lautner is scheduled to appear on the show tomorrow (June 30th), unfortunately. Anyone have Jon Stewart or Jimmy Fallon on speed dial?





Thank you Twilight Examiner {Amanda Bell} and YouTube

[Ina Noorazan]

David Slade says he won't do director commentary on 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse' DVD

As you know, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse has yet to hit theaters (though it begins at midnight showings tonight), so news related to the Eclipse DVD is definitely premature . . . except for this.

Steve Weintraub with Collider.com interviewed Eclipse director David Slade and asked him a few questions about what fans can expect from an Eclipse DVD.

Naturally, Slade only had a few details to offer, but they are interesting nonetheless. As he'd mentioned in the Eclipse filmmaker panel at the press junket a couple of weeks ago, the "Angela and Bella" discussion (over graduation announcements) was cut from the film, and Slade explained that it was timing - and nothing to do with performances - and pacing that cause the deletion. Fans should, he explained, expect to see that scene on the deleted scenes . . . but don't quote him on it.

Also, Slade proclaimed that he'll not be appearing on the DVD in the capacity of a director commentary. Why? Well, listen to his words in the video below.

On another note, Slade cleared up what he called a "web rumor," saying that he does not know what his next project will be but that The Shadow is absolutely not it.

Director David Slade Video Interview THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE from ColliderVideos on Vimeo.

Article by Twilight Examiner {Amanda Bell}

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'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse' predicted to beat 'New Moon' opening weekend numbers

All along - during the downtime between The Twilight Saga: New Moon's release and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse's - fans have been asking this question: will The Twilight Saga: Eclipse surpass the incredible numbers set forth by The Twilight Saga: New Moon?

No doubt, the biggest achievement of New Moon in the box office was to set the record for biggest opening day ever. So, the topic has definitely lingered as to whether the summer Eclipse showing will top that record.

Also, the staggering opening weekend numbers (3rd highest ever) for New Moon reached $140.7 million in the first three days. So, whether Eclipse will eclipse New Moon's opening weekend figures is prominent as well.

According to TheWrap.com, industry predictions give the nod to Eclipse in at least the second portion of the inquiry.

Conservative forecasts predict the PG-13-rated film will gross $150 million domestically in its first six days of release, spanning through the holiday weekend. That would usurp the $142.8 million three-day opening for “New Moon” last November. “Eclipse,” which returns the core cast of Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, will also debut in 41 foreign territories this weekend. “We hope our opening day will be bigger on opening day because our audience isn’t getting up for school,” noted Summit distribution chief Richie Fay.

Only a few days until we know. For now, what fans seem to be doing to effectuate their desire to see Eclipse break records is pre-ordering midnight release tickets (which has put Eclipse atop advance ticket sales lists) and planning to see the film more than once during opening weekend.

Are you doing the same? Do you care how Eclipse fares in the box office, and why or why not? Does it speak to the validity of the fandom in any way that Eclipse stands to usurp its own stellar figures? Any other thoughts?

Article by Twilight Examiner {Amanda Bell}

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Reviews for The Twilight Saga ECLIPSE are coming in. [Spoiler Alert!]

Reviews for the much anticipated third installment of the Twilight Saga Eclipse have started to come in and I personally think die-hard fans will not be disappointed. :)

From Variety

It goes without saying that the faithful will devour "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse," the third movie in Stephenie Meyer's immensely popular supernatural love-triangle saga, and also the one in which Bella must finally choose between her two beastly suitors. The pleasant surprise this time around is that the result finally feels more like the blockbuster this top-earning franchise deserves. Employing a bigger budget, better effects and an edgier director ("Hard Candy's" David Slade), "Eclipse" focuses on what works -- the stars -- even as the series' parent-friendly abstinence message begins to unravel. Summer release should reap Summit's biggest yield yet.

Taking a cue from the "Harry Potter" series, which maintains continuity on the writing and casting fronts while introducing a different feel with each change of director, the "Twilight" producers have embraced a variety of different visions behind the camera. Capitalizing on her indie sensibility and keenly observed teen insights, Catherine Hardwicke set the tone with the low-budget first film, with Chris Weitz expanding (and flattening) the world with his broader, daytime soap-opera style in "New Moon." Now, the task falls to Slade, who clearly understands how to work with actors while also demonstrating a welcome competence in the action and melodrama departments.

It's no easy task taking a piece of material auds already know inside-out and spinning it in such a way that individual scenes still generate tension and suspense. Slade sets us on edge from the outset with an atmospheric vignette merely alluded to in the book, as small-town boy Riley (Xavier Samuel) is ambushed and bitten by an unseen vampire in shadowy Seattle (looking every bit as ominous as Tim Burton's Gotham City).

Not much happens for the first 300 pages of Meyer's novel, during which vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and werewolf Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) vie for the affections of Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), with our increasingly impatient heroine determined to surrender both her virginity and her humanity to the brooding bloodsucker (to his credit, Bella's 109-year-old boyfriend wants to marry her first).

Slade and screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg wisely intercut these puppy-love scenes with uneasy horror-movie jolts. After all, "Eclipse" builds not to a showdown between Edward and Jacob (no matter how often he takes off his shirt, the poor wolfboy will never be Bella's first choice), but to an uneasy alliance between the Cullen clan and Jacob's tribe of shape-shifters, united to protect Bella from the vengeance-seeking Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard, taking over the role from Rachelle Lefevre) and her army of "newborns," undisciplined but super-strong new vampires.

Rather than attempting to elevate Meyer's swoony prose to the level of literature (the poor scribe exhausts herself trying to find synonyms for "perfection"), Rosenberg's task is to faithfully adapt the material for fans in such a way that works onscreen; that means having the freedom to remove, reorder or completely rewrite certain passages. She also has to contend with "Eclipse's" muddled message -- Bella's in a hurry to be bitten, while everyone else is telling her to slow down -- and devises a nice graduation speech for best friend Jessica (Anna Kendrick) on the merits of not rushing into things.

Despite the somewhat simple-minded source, the producers plot everything as if it were a strategic game of chess, paying off earlier gambles -- Jacob played third wheel in the past, but gets the sexier kiss here -- while seeding future films. Of particular interest is a wide-eyed young newborn (played by Jodelle Ferland), subject of Meyer's spinoff novella "The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner," who serves as an effective tool in setting up the powerful Volturi's villainy for the two-part "Breaking Dawn" finale.

"Eclipse" feels the most cinematic of the series so far, taking scenes out of the lunchroom and Swan house as much as possible. Slade shares Hardwicke's aesthetic of using dramatic aerial photography to give the otherwise intimate tale a more epic sweep, and expands on it by repeatedly lining up the various clans like the subjects of a Vanity Fair cover shoot, their iconic group poses helping to make the movie seem as big as its following. Though Slade inherits "New Moon" Director of Photography Javier Aguirresarobe, his choice of lenses and shooting style (including a fair amount of handheld camerawork) gives things a more dynamic energy.

Visual effects have improved considerably, with no fewer than 11 companies working on everything from Edward's sparkling skin to CG wolves that realistically blend with live-action characters. A scene of Bella side-by-side with canine Jacob feels perfectly plausible, but nothing beats the sight of vampires and werewolves going at it in the climactic battle. If anything, the digital work outshines the other departments, with bad makeup, lifeless wigs and creepy contacts being the elements that disrupt the fantasy.

From Hollywood Reporter

Bottom Line: The teen vampire series finally hits its stride with an entertaining mix of romance and action fantasy.

It took three films, but "The Twilight Saga" finally nails just the right tone in "Eclipse," a film that neatly balances the teenage operatic passions from Stephenie Meyer's novels with the movies' supernatural trappings.

Where the first film leaned heavily on camp and the second faltered through caution and slickness, "Eclipse" moves confidently into the heart of the matter -- a love triangle that causes a young woman to realize choices lead to consequences that cannot be reversed.

With the momentum of a movie series that sees installments arriving like clockwork every year, "Eclipse" looks primed to be the most successful film yet in Summit Entertainment's franchise. The action is pretty much relegated to the climax, but it's nifty enough that young men may get into the series too even if "Eclipse" isn't their first choice on a Friday night. (Read about the fan frenzy surrounding the premiere here and here, and check out photos of the Thursday night event at L.A. Live here.)

The film starts a little slowly with its classic reintroduction of its main characters, heroine Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), more determined than ever to go vampire for her undead boyfriend; the gloomy dreamboat Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), an ancient being who still hasn't graduated high school; and Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), a perennially bare-chested Native American who shape-shifts into a wolf at a moment's notice.

Even here the film doesn't mind kidding itself. Edward takes one look at Jacob and complains to Bella, "Doesn't he own a shirt?" The script by Melissa Rosenberg offers a few more opportunities like this that wink at its own silliness.

Things pick up rapidly once intros are done, with the ramifications of the girl/vampire/werewolf triangle becoming increasingly intense for all parties while an outside threat looms over them all.
A crime wave has hit Seattle, a few leagues from the bucolic Washington town that shelters so many supernatural creatures apparently without any townspeople catching on. A series of vicious killings and disappearances tip off the Cullen clan that a vampire is creating an army of newborns -- newly turned vampires whose ravenous thirst makes them stronger and more deadly than "old" vampires.

This army recruiter is red-headed Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard, the epitome of sensual, feline cunning), who, in seeking revenge against the Cullens and Edward in particular, means to destroy Bella. Which causes Edward and Jacob to contemplate the unthinkable, a temporary alliance to protect the girl they both love.

It's like the uneasy partnership between lawman Wyatt Earp and outlaw Doc Holliday against the Clanton clan at the O.K. Corral in "My Darling Clementine." Well, why not a Western? "The Twilight Saga" already mixes together high school melodrama, outsider fiction and teen romance into a mishmash of sci-fi and horror genres. (Check out video of the "Eclipse" stars talking to THR on the red carpet of the film's premiere here.)

Since Rosenberg's writing has never been the problem in the series, much of the credit for the success of "Eclipse" probably belongs to the series' third director, David Slade ("Hard Candy," "30 Days of Night"). He quickly establishes a rapid yet unhurried pace, a willingness to let tongue perch in cheek and an unapologetic indulgence in this basic fantasy of every teenage girl -- that two high school hunks are in love with her and willing to die for her, except, of course, that one is already undead.

The three leads shine under his direction. Stewart anchors everything with a finely tuned if not slightly underplayed performance that catches her character in moments of doubt about the course and the man she has chosen. Pattinson makes you forget the white makeup and weird eye contact lenses to concentrate on a person torn over his love for a woman and the sacrifice he knows she will have to make to stay with him.

But it's Lautner who nearly steals the movie with his ripped muscle and steely acting. He definitely has the "it" factor Hollywood always looks for. (The "Twilight" cast invaded "Jimmy Kimmel Live" last week; check out photos here.)

The high school scenes and those between Bella and her police chief dad (Billy Burke) are quick and light and doubly effective for not dawdling. The series' more peripheral characters are coming into better focus as well. The film delivers backstories for both Jasper (Jackson Rathbone) and Rosalie (Nikki Reed) of the Cullen family as well as the origins of Jacob's family, the wolf pack, without any of these flashbacks seeming like intrusions.

Speaking of the wolf pack, the CG wolves, huge creatures whose ferocity fails to mask their tenderness, are very cool, and the fight at the climax among wolves, vampires and one poor human is no letdown. It delivers the goods without overstaying its welcome, which is more than can be said about most CG movie fights.

Production values are aces with Director of Photography Javier Aguirresarobe and production designer Paul Denham Austerberry very much taking advantage of the dark, woodsy and utterly beguiling beauty of British Columbia.

[Ina Noorazan]

Videos of The Twilight Saga Eclipse LA premiere

Here are some of the numerous videos from the black (red) carpet of the Eclipse LA premiere.









Here's a recap of the event from E!



Thank you Eonline and YouTube

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Want to swoon some more? ;)

Source: RobertPattinson.org

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Let us all take a deep breath and swoon...

Robert Pattinson looking dashing in a maroon Gucci suit at the red (black) carpet of the Twilight Saga Eclipse LA premiere.

That hair, that smirk, those eyes, that jaw, that scruff, that scruff on that jaw! ;)

Source: RobertPattinson.org

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Robert & Kristen at the Eclipse After Party

Source: Everglow

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Eclipse stars at the premiere

Source: Gossip Cop

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Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner walk the black carpet at The Twilight Saga: Eclipse LA premiere

They had been waiting patiently all week, forming a make-shift tent city outside the Los Angeles Nokia Theatre.

Last night the discomfort paid off as The Twilight Saga: Eclipse stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner walked the black carpet to deafening screams.

The dedicated Twi-hards were joined by host of celebrity fans for the most eagerly-awaited premiere of the year

The stars: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner arrive at the premiere of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse in Los Angeles

Big night: Kristen wore white Elie Saab and Pattinson, her real-life boyfriend, a red Gucci suit

Despite the frenzy, Pattinson, who wore a red Gucci suit, said he wouldn't be staying out late.

'I have to work tomorrow,' he said. 'I have got a 5am start on a film, Water For Elephants.'

The 24-year-old British actor said he'd miss playing his character Edward Cullen when the series finished.

'I like all the people that I work with and I guess I'm going to miss all this [indicating the frenzied crowd] as well,' he said


One for the album: After waiting all week, a few lucky fans meet Pattinson and get a photo to treasure


His co-star Lautner, who plays Jacob Black, said he found walking out in front of all the fans really nerve-racking.

'I get so nervous, really nervous,' admitted the 18-year-old.

'If it's just me and Kristen it's not good because we're both nervous so we just feed into each other. So it's not good.

'But this is amazing to come up here and see thousands of fans here.'

He said walking around without his shirt - his werewolf character's trademark - could get too much.

'It's tough, it was easier this time than New Moon, but it's still a big challenge.

'We have blankets and heaters to cuddle up to, but you've gotta go through the pain.'

Kristen, in a white backless Elie Saab gown, said she had changed her heels halfway through meeting her fans as she couldn't walk in them.

'I'm ready to go inside, but only because my feet hurt,' said the 20-year-old, who plays Bella Swan.

'It was fun,' she said, of the movie.

'I was so very much in her [Bella's] mind that I didn't know how it was going to go. She grows up in this movie, she chooses Edward, she doesn't need him anymore.'



Twilight author Stephenie Meyer said she had been heavily involved in turning her words into a movie, spending a lot of late nights on set.

But she said it would never match up to her first love - penning books.

'There's nothing like writing, all by yourself in a quiet room, there's no greater feeling than that,' she said.

Meyer said she couldn't quite believe she was behind the huge premiere.
'I really can't process that. It's easier to just feel that you've snuck into the party, that's easier,' she laughed.

Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg said converting the Eclipse book onto the big screen was her favourite writing experience.

'It's a whole different challenge,' she said. 'I loved doing it, diving into someone else's work.'

Among the celebrity fans was Jennifer Love Hewitt, who said she was firmly on Team Edward.

'He sparkles in the sunlight, he's hopelessly devoted, he's never going to leave her. What more do you need?'

The Ghost Whisperer actress said she had read all the books.

'Here I was, 30 years old, laying in my bed, falling in love with vampires. I just loved it.'



Julia Jones, who plays she-wolf Leah Clearwater, said she embraced the chance to play the flawed character.

Although beautiful in the flesh, in the movie she is made to look dowdy and ugly.

'I came down here yesterday and met some of the fans and they were like, "Thank God, you're pretty in real life",' she laughed.

'I didn't look pretty in the film but that was intentional.'



Dakota Fanning plays evil Volturi vampire Jane.

'It was really fun, getting to have the dramatic make-up and be paler than this. I didn't know I could be!'

She said her character was complicated: 'I don't know that I relate to Jane, she just tries to be evil for the sake of being evil.'

Charlie Bewley, who plays Volturi Demetri, said he hadn't yet seen the movie.

'It's actually a really great learning curve to work with different directors,' he said. 'I've got a wonderful character.'



Peter Facinelli, who plays Dr Carlisle Cullen, said he'd learnt new skills during filming.

'People ask me, doing all this vampire training, does that make you a better fighter?

'And I'm like, I could fight you but I'd have to miss you by two inches every time,' he told MySpace's live streaming.



Ashley Green, who plays Alice Cullen, said the training was intense, with hardly any stunt doubles used.

'It's pretty much all us.'

Source: Article by Lizzie Smith on Dailymail & BELLASDIARY.COM

[Ina Noorazan]