Breaking Dawn Part 1 opens up with Jacob Black reading a wedding invitation from Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, which makes him so angry that he morphs into a werewolf and runs into the woods. Meanwhile, wedding preparations are in full swing at the Cullens. However, at only 18, Bella is extremely nervous about walking down the aisle despite her indisputable love for her vampire beau. Marrying to her love means she might have to distant herself from her dear friends and family so that they won’t suspect the Cullens are a family of bloodsuckers. After the wedding reception, the newlyweds headed to a private island (a wedding gift from the Cullens!) off the coast of Brazil for their honeymoon. Bella and Edward finally consummate their love and soon after find out that Bella is pregnant with a half-vampire, half-human child. The unborn baby develops at such an unnaturally accelerated rate that it is posing a threat to Bella’s health. Both Edward and Jacob urges Bella to have an abortion, but she refuses having felt a connection with the unborn baby.
The first part of the fourth installment in the Twilight Saga deals with more mature themes such as life and death, having control of your own destiny, and of course true love. Director Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, Chicago) brings the much needed sense and sensibility that were missing in the last two movies of the series. Condon’s vision of Bella and Edward’s wedding surpassed my wildest romantic imagination. It is one of the most beautiful weddings ever put on film. And to see past characters in the audience (including a cameo of the book author’s Stephenie Meyer) as Bella walks down the aisle brings a sense of closure and satisfaction to the loyal viewers. Yet, Breaking Dawn Part 1 is not without flaws. Some scenes are dragging and should have been cut in the cutting room. Others are so silly that I don’t know if the scenes were intentionally added for comical purposes or what. Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of Edward Cullen is still woody (is it because of the heavy makeup?!) even thought he was on point in Twilight (2008). Taylor Lautner, who plays Jacob Black, is the breaking star in this movie. He plays well his part in the love triangle between him, Bella, and Edward.
A review of a Twilight movie is not complete without a review of its soundtrack, which is usually loaded with indie rock bands and artists. This time around, a rising pop star, Bruno Mars, made it into the album with his infectious moody song “It Will Rain.” Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years” is a more subdued song with lyrics that are more beautiful. My two favorites are the very catchy songs “Turning Page” by Sleeping At Last and “From Now On” by The Features. Also worth to check out is the wedding version of “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” by Iron & Wine and the instrumental version of “Eclipse (All Yours).”
Overall, Breaking Dawn Part1 did not disappoint. Let’s hope that the final installment (also directed by Bill Condon and to be released on November 16, 2012) will somehow close the deal by creating a long and lasting memory for the fans of the books and movie adaptations.
