The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn- Part 2

The vampire theme is seemingly diminishing from theaters, however this theme is bigger than ever on TV, cable stations too be exact. So considering how much money "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn- Part 2" has pulled in, there must be a ton of TV watchers in that audience, not to mention teenage girls, which is this franchise's target audience.

Bella (Kristen Stewart) is enjoying her new life and new powers after the birth of hers and Edward's (Robert Pattinson) daughter, Renesmee (Mackenzie Foy). Soon, however, their family bliss is treatened once again by a familiar menace-- the Volturi headed up by Aro (Michael Sheen) and Jane (Dakota Fanning). This time vampire Irina (Maggie Grace) believes a child like Renesmee could challenge the power and existence of the Volturi. As Irina rallies the Volturi to destroy this potential threat, Bella, the Cullens headed up by Dr. Carlisle Cullen (Peter Facinelli), Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), and ones that the Cullens have gathered to help, are preparing to fight, if need be, to a crucial, ultimate battle, to protect their family.

Others to round out the cast are Elizabeth Reaser as Esme Cullen, wife of Carlisle, Ashley Greene as Alice Cullen, Billy Burke as Charlie Swan, Bella's Dad, Jackson Rathbone as Jasper Hale, Kellan Lutz as Emmett Cullen, Nikki Reed as Rosalie Hale, Chaske Spencer as Sam Uley, Jamie Campbell Bower as Caius, Cameron Bright as Alec, Rami Malek as Benjamin, Andrea Powell as Sasha, and Charlie Bewley as Demetri.

This was paced very well by director, Bill Condon ("Sister, Sister" '87, "Murder 101" (TV movie) '91, "Dead in the Water" (TV movie) '91, "Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh" '95, "Gods and Monsters" '98, "Kinsey" '04, "Dreamgirls" '06, "Tilda" (TV movie) '11, "The Twight Saga: Breaking Dawn- Part 1" '11). It was written by Melissa Rosenberg ("Step Up" '06, and all five of the Twilight Saga films) which was based on Stephenie Meyer's novel, "Breaking Dawn". With the exception of a couple, mostly one twist in this, this, as its predecessors, is completely predictable. One could practically recite the script. But I'm not sure who the real culprit is: Rosenberg or Meyer, because the novels are certainly similar in their writings, so it would lead one to conclude the screenplay would be the same. All that I know is that the 116 minute running time seemed longer than the time actually was.

If you're a 'team Edward' or 'team Jacob' type of devotee, you will be in Twilight heaven, but if you're looking for something that's a bit more fresh and original, I'd pass. Don't get me wrong, this wasn't a terrible film; it had merit, but it just wasn't a great film either. The choice is 
yours.

Out of 4 stars: 2.5                     Rated: PG-13                     116mins.
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