Cinema release: 1 Jul 2010
Director: David Slade
Running time: 124 mins
Stars: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner
As a string of mysterious killings grips Seattle, Bella, whose high school graduation is fast approaching, is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob.
Eclipse is better on just about every level than its predecessor: the action is more suspenseful and properly executed; the special effects are improved; the story flows comfortably; and most importantly, the performances are stronger. Robert Pattinson was so god-awful in New Moon that it's a miracle he delivers the goods in the third instalment as Edward Cullen. Gone is his constipated expression — instead he has fun with the role, see-sawing between serious Casanova and playful James Dean. Kristen Stewart is once again impressive as Bella, the human girl in a relationship with a 100-year-old vampire, while Taylor Lautner gives both a solid performance and the one thing the hordes of screaming Twi-hards want: bulging biceps.
Eclipse opens with the chilling murder of Riley (Australian actor Xavier Samuel) in Seattle. It seems a serial killer is on the loose, picking off innocents and turning them into blood-suckers. As an army of the undead builds, their mission becomes clear: they want Bella, forcing rival vampire and werewolf clans to unite in a deadly battle for supremacy.
Bella discovers it's not an entirely romantic notion — even the vampires themselves warn her against it. In the film's best scene, Rosalie (Nikki Reed) recalls the shocking, saddening events that led to her transformation.
The movie has pacing issues: early scenes that re-establish the central love triangle are too long and repetitive. But the second hour rockets along, building to an action-packed climax that allows Slade to showcase his deft hand at horror.
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