Twilight Saga: Eclipse

I loved it.

Bella still wants to become a sparkly vamp ASAP, whilst Edward and the Cullen family would like her to wait and experience some of life - ah the folly of youth!

Edward and Bella to and fro on when he will make her stone cold. The date is set for 13th August. Victoria (Dallas Bryce Howard not a patch on Rachelle Lefevre, the original flame-haired bloodsucker) is desperate for revenge because of James being ripped apart an bbqed in the Twilight. She creates an army of newborns who are very, very strong and bloodthirsty led by Riley Biers.

Meanwhile, back at Forks, Edward and Jacob (neck too long, but I still would *snaps out of reverie*) are trying to be all alpha male over Bella. Edward wants Bella to make an informed choice, and Jacob is eager for Bella to admit that she loves him. Bella for her part takes a much more active role in this film than she did in the other ones (thank goodness). Exploring repressed feelings for Jacob whilst at the same time becoming more and more sure that the choice she is about to make is the right one, I actually liked Bella for the first time.

This is all played against a disapproving father, the army getting stronger, cross-species cooperation, and great back stories (Rosalie, Jasper and the wolves).

The battle scene is very, very good. I love the way the vampires kill each other - it isn't all blood and guts. What I didn't realise in the second movie is that the wolves are soooooooo huge. When Jacob (with fur) stands next to Bella, you get an idea of the size, but you also get the complexities of the relationship.

There wasn't nearly enough of Esme this time, and that is a shame or much of the Cullens either except in very junior supporting roles. The exception to this is Jasper, who takes much more of the lead and trains the vampires and wolves to work together. I would happily see Alice have her own spin-off she is great.

The scenery of Washington state is lush. The contrast between the hot-blooded wolves and the cold-blooded vampires is very evident with the tanned skin, and the passion Jacob feels for Bella, along with the tensions brewing within the den of wolves. The Cullens are much more restrained.

The triangle is so well nuanced with the right amount of jokiness, rivalry and deep emotions. The scene where Edward turns Bella over to Jacob for protection by kissing her longer and deeper than normal and Jacob receives Bella by giving her a big bear, protective hug which is all done for the benefit of the other male.

The funniest moment is when Jacob tries to kiss Bella and she tries to punch him in his face, and winds up spraining her arm very badly.

This movie is 123 minutes long, and it certainly does feel like it. There are parts that dip and had me wondering such as being told in New Moon that Jasper was the newest vampire and therefore still the most vulnerable to the blood, and then in this one prove to be so wise and knowing especially once we see his backstory and realise that he isn't the youngest of the group, Emmett is. Bella sprains her arm and has it bandaged by Carlo, but not even a day later, she has no bandage on her hand when she is being hauled up to the campsite.

There were other little niggly bits as well, but none of it detracts from what I think is a fantastic, modern vampire/wolf battle of wills love story.

What makes this series is the lead actors - Jake, Edward and Bella play this absolutely straight and I feel that they have grown into the roles naturally.