Eclipse: My thoughts on the third movie in the Twilight series

ECLIPSE! I finally saw it. This Twilight fan’s passion for the book series has tempered over the years. Even then, I just had to see how my favorite book in the saga was translated into film. Did it disappoint? No. Did it make me ecstatic? No. I felt like I had to wait a long time before things got exciting. Nevertheless, I think this is the best film in the Twilight movie series so far. So without further ado fellow Twihards, here are my thoughts on the movie Eclipse.

What I liked about it:

• There’s more energy in Eclipse compared to the first two. Finally! It started off really slow, but it picks up towards the end.
• I like how David Slade puts in this “30 Days of Night” feel as the movie starts. It’s grey, dark, ominous.
• Riley! I think Xavier Samuel was perfectly cast. I just wish there were more of him, but then again the book doesn’t have much of him. A “Where is he now?” story would be great, but well, you know what happens to him in the movie. Darn it.
• Finally, more chemistry between Edward and Bella. In the first two films, I didn’t feel spark between them. Yeah yeah, that’s not how majority of Twihards probably felt, but this my review, okay? Whatever it is that David Slade told them, it worked. I felt more connection between the two of them. FINALLY, I felt that they belonged together, and that Jacob was a third wheel. I think it’s because they finally share a giggle or two. It’s not all intense staring at each other anymore. It finally feels like a real relationship.
• Edward struggling with Bella’s individuality. “If I ask you to stay in the car, would you?” (Bella goes out of the car.) “Of course not.” Haha. Again, more of a real relationship coming to surface here. They’re both still dazzled by each other, but it’s not all glitz that’s keeping the two together now.

• Jessica’s graduation speech. Was that in the book? I think she was great. It makes me more interested in her! I want to know where she goes after Forks. I want to know if she moves on to bigger things. I didn’t realize she was that smart. I was thinking Angela would be valedictorian.
• The proposal. Very literal translation from the book, which I liked. The ring was gorgeous!
• Jasper and Alice. There’s a moment in the book (not sure if in Eclipse or the first two) when Bella said she felt like an intruder when she was with Alice and Jasper. Their love for each other was just so intense she felt she was interfering in their moment. That’s how I felt when Alice snuggled up to Jasper after he told Bella his story. Go Team Jasper-Alice!
• The tent scene. This was a very important scene for me to watch, as it was one of the most intense in the book. I’m glad it stayed the same in the film. “I’m hotter than you,” goes Jacob. Him telling the duo it would be better without Bella’s clothes, thinking manly thoughts that annoyed Edward… Hey, did he crack the space heater joke? I don’t recall.

• Edward’s annoyance with Jacob was funny. “Doesn’t he own a shirt?” Haha. I like how emotions are FINALLY breaking through Edward’s cold, cold surface. Thanks RPattz. I think you’re better here than in the first two films.

• Save the best for last: Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black. From a happy-go-lucky Jacob in “Twilight” to the angsty one in “New Moon” to the all-grown up, still angsty, but more passionate wolf in “Eclipse,” he was the highlight of the movie. I could feel his love for Bella. I could feel his anger and helplessness. I like how Taylor Lautner shows his emotions without having to look constipated like Edward. Sorry Team Edward, I know that Rob is fine and all, but his Edward is just a bit too stone cold in acting to me (to think this is an improvement over the first two films).

What I didn’t like about it:

• The newborns weren’t scary. If the newborns are a SUPER threat, couldn’t there have been more of a struggle when the Cullens and the wolves were fighting them? Easy, breezy, that’s how the fight seemed to me. Newborns are supposed to be creepy strong kind of scary. I didn’t feel their hunger or thirst in the film at all. I liked how Eclipse had more action than the other two films, but I wish there were more newborn action.
• Victoria. Sorry, I like you Bryce Dallas Howard, but Rachel Lefevre just made a creepier Victoria to me. The new Victoria just wasn’t sinister enough to be the main villain here.
• The Volturi. It’s been years since I’ve read the book, so I can’t remember how threatening they were. I do remember that while reading I went, “Uh oh, they’re coming to Forks and Bella isn’t a vampire yet. What’s gonna happen???” Well, I didn’t feel that same tension in the movie. They seemed like “by the way’s” to me. I like Dakota Fanning and company, but wish there presence was more relevant to the plot.
• Happy ending. Well, again, you know I’m on Team Jacob. Of course the movie just had to end the way it did. In the book though, it ends with Jacob’s perspective. He receives the wedding invitation through the mail, transforms into a wolf, howls and disappears into the woods. Now, that’s dramatic. THAT’S what the “eclipse” is all about. At the end, night time always wins even during daytime.

Overall, I think David Slade did a fine job. Is he directing “Breaking Dawn?” I don’t think so. I wish he were. Did “Eclipse” eclipse the first two films? You bet it did. Will I watch this again? You know what, if it’s on STAR movies or HBO, I would. Twilight comes on now and I just zap channels. But if Eclipse does get shown on TV, I’ll make time to watch it. Watching it in the movie house though? Nah. Once is enough.

What did YOU think of the movie? Share your thoughts! There are no right or wrong opinions here, so comment with no fear of being judged. 😉

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Hi! I'm Toni Tiu, and I've been blogging at at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.