‘Twilight: Breaking Dawn, Part 2’ is a less than perfect end to film saga

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart star in 'Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2'
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart star in ‘Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2’

The Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn Part 2  brings the saga to an unsatisfying conclusion.  Ideally the end of a ‘saga’ would be as good or better than the prior films, but that simply did not take place.

Warning: for those not familiar with the films and the characters, it would likely be difficult to follow the story at this point.

As the film opens, “Bella” (Kristen Stewart) has recovered from being “turned” into a vampire by “Edward” (Robert Pattinson). She now possesses the extraordinary abilities of strength and speed, all the benefits of being a creature of the night. She also has the negative: a requisite thirst for blood, particularly human blood, and she must learn to control this thirst.  Since her father (Billy Burke) wants to see her, and soon, she needs to learn it fast.

Macenzie Foy and Kristen Stewart are daughter and mother in 'Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2'
Macenzie Foy and Kristen Stewart are daughter and mother in ‘Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2’

But the possibility of feasting on her dad’s blood isn’t exactly the worst thing that could happen. Things could go south real quick if he learns that his new in-laws, the Cullen family, are vampires.  Human awareness of the existence of vampires would result in a visit from the Volturi, powerful vampires who serve as judge, jury and executioners for anyone who breaks the vampire rules.

As such, “Jacob” (Taylor Lautner) is sent to tell Bella’s father that she is actually dead, after which the Cullens plan to move away forever. But the werewolf has plans of his own. He is in love with Bella and Edward’s daughter “Renesmee” (Mackenzie Foy), who becomes an adult in a very short period of time), and finds a way to keep Bella’s dad in the dark and the Cullens from leaving.


However, things go wrong when the Volturi suspect that Renesmee is an immortal child, the creation of which is a violation of Vampiric law. Punishment for creating breaking this law is death for the child and the child’s creator.

When the Cullens learn the Volturi are out to get Bella, Edward and Renesmee, they try to prove the girl is not immortal. However, their efforts lead to a vampire civil war.

Michael Sheen takes on the Cullen clan in 'Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2'
Michael Sheen takes on the Cullen clan in ‘Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2’

Breaking Dawn is supposed to be a story of eternal love, not a battle royale, and this is where the film fails.  There are moments where we are supposed to be watching the love between Bella and Edward in action, but they just don’t deliver what a non Twi-hard will want from a love story.  They also don’t deliver with the effectiveness of the novels written by Meyer.  Not to say the movie is bad, it is not.  It just doesn’t equal the quality of romance found in the prior installments.

There are two good things about this film.  One is the very effective, yet limited use of humor.  The other is a final credits montage showing any character of significance that appeared on screen in the entire saga.  This was a nice touch, especially since a number of these characters aren’t present in the final installment.

Undoubtedly, Breaking Dawn will rule at the box office and fans of the novels and the film series will rave about it.  Sadly, it doesn’t really deserve those raves.

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