The Twilight Saga Continues with New Moon: A Review

**This article will review the newest movie release from the Twilight series: New Moon. This movie review may contain spoilers for those who have not read the books.**

New Moon was my second least favorite book in the Twilight saga however; the movie gives it redemption. Unable to hold back my need to see this film, I went alone to a matinee. The theater was quite crowded for an afternoon showing with an array of movie watchers. There were older women, teenagers and young children. Parents should show caution taking young kids to the film. The youngsters found themselves afraid at a few parts such as the fight scene at the end and with the werewolves.

I decided to write a movie review for New Moon because I feel some reviews have been to harsh. When I first saw the full trailer for New Moon I thought to myself, "Wow maybe this movie will be more exciting than the novel." Before that, I was completely expecting the film to drag along in a mope like fashion with Bella's "my life is over" outlook on life without Edward. New Moon is one of those cases where the film is better than the book due to the fact that we are not in the main characters head at all times and her constant state of depression.

A movie review of the film can not be complete without saying something about the acting. The expanded role of Jacob in New Moon really helps to move this film in a positive fashion. Taylor Lautner does a wonderful job as Jacob and really gets to flex (pun intended) his acting potential. The scene in the movie theater was really good with the interaction between Jacob and Mike. I have always thought of myself as "team Edward" but this film almost converted me to "team Jacob." Almost.

Kristen Stewart's acting as Bella improves in this film and shines in many scenes. A few in particular to watch out for are when Bella interacts with Jacob. The scene when she is yelling at Jacob, you really feel her anger at that moment. And finally when Bella and Edward were reunited was a great scene. You really get a sense of Bella's urgency as she runs through the crowd to stop Edward from revealing himself in public as a Vampire. Great sound effects here when she finally reaches him and bangs into his chest like she hit a wall. The only downer with Kristen in this film is during scenes when she is alone. No tears were shed that I caught. You do not really feel the pain of the hole in her chest apart from what she says to her pointless emails to Alice. It would have been nice to see more of this pain instead of being told about it.

Rob Pattinson is missing for most of the middle of the film but comes in strong with an amazing fight scene with the Volturi. Some New Moon movie reviews have said that his acting in the film is wooden but I beg to differ. You really feel his emotions throughout the film: the pain of having to leave Bella, the joy of seeing her again, the conflict of her request to change her and most of all his undying love for Bella can all be seen in his eyes.

I complete my movie review of New Moon with a little advice. See it if you loved the book; see it even if it was not you're favorite. It is a better made film than the first and definitely better than the novel.