new-moon-posterYes, I went to see the latest in the Twilight saga on Friday, in its first full day of release.  I am not one of the rabid fans, I have not read the books, and I did not think the first movie was all that good (I would marginally suggest a non-fan see it).  Not that I am explaining my actions, but I felt somewhat justified in seeing it since I saw the Halloween remakes on their opening days, and the remade Friday the 13th.  I think my best line of defense in whatever attacks may come my way from fellow horror fans is that I had female accompaniment.  So there.

All that out of the way, let me continue with my review.  I went into New Moon with an open mind, as I do when watching any movie.  As with most films, don’t expect anything particularly deep because it’s about as deep as a Dixie cup.  It’s the kind of movie that is meant to entertain.  Was I entertained?  Yeah.

If you don’t know the story by now (where have you been, and can I join you in that cave?), Bella, the human girl, loves Edward, the vampire.  There’s also Jacob, the wolf shapeshifter, and some evil vampires, and other wolf shapeshifters, and a vampire council.  There’s a lot of things going on this movie, but not a lot happening.


It would be easy to pick this movie apart, especially since the leads look constipated most of the time, but I’m told they look that way because they are tormented by their love.  I’m going to concentrate on some of the positives.  It’s better than its predecessor.  Chris Weitz is a better director than Catherine Hardwicke.  The supporting players steal the show (Jacob, Charlie, Alice–they have personalities).  The Jacob/Bella relationship is far more interesting than the Edward/Bella relationship.  Dakota Fanning looks natural with red eyes.  The Native American monster wolves liven this picture up, and they are more interesting than the damn vampires.

New Moon isn’t the mutha of all movies or a complete mutha load of steaming cow dung.  It is what it is.  Don’t expect much and you might not be let down.

3 out of 5
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