Joanna Hoyes looks back on the third film in the Twilight franchise, a decade after its release...
Director: David Slade
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner
Running time: 123 minutes
Eclipse, the third film instalment of the intensely popular Twilight Saga, sees the tension ramp up a gear with the ongoing love story of Bella, the awkward, human high-school student and Edward, the brooding 19th-century-frozen-in-a-seventeen-year-old’s-body vampire. Their lust and longing is intercepted by teen werewolf Jacob, in all his topless glory, making Bella unsure of her feelings. Not to mention, there’s a swarm of bloodthirsty new-breed vampires running around the city!
At the end of the second film, New Moon, Edward (Robert Pattinson) floated the idea of marriage to his beloved Bella (Kristen Stewart). Although utterly love-struck, Bella is unconvinced as she is only eighteen years old and feels too young to be a bride. Meanwhile, her life is in peril with the terrifying vampire, Victoria (Bryce Dallas-Howard), in hot-pursuit seeking vengeance for the death of her partner in the first Twilight film.
Victoria is in the process of creating a “new-born” vampire army to rise up and slay Bella and the Cullen clan. Edward and his family begin a search for her and her weaponized legion whilst Bella goes to visit her best friend, Jacob (Taylor Lautner). Jacob attempts to kiss Bella and she responds by punching him and subsequently spraining her wrist as Jacob’s werewolf physicality makes him as strong as a brick wall.
Edward and Jacob lock horns yet again over their equal love and devotion for Bella leaving her confused as to who she cares for the most. Meanwhile, Edward’s telepathic sister, Alice (played by Ashley Greene), has a vision that the new-born army is attacking the city and the vampires and werewolves must put aside their differences and join forces in order to defeat the incoming hostiles.
A stunning tale of danger and desire
After a night camped up in the mountains to keep the still-mortal Bella safe and away from the fighting, she realises that she has fallen in love with both of her potential mates. She must decide between a safe, warm, human existence with her werewolf or a passionate, icy eternity with her vampire. Will either of these two potential futures even happen if the vicious Victoria can’t be stopped? Standard real-life issues really, if you leave out the mythical creatures and the imminent mortal danger…
Having read and enjoyed the Stephanie Meyer books from which the films are adapted, I think Eclipse is just as an exciting movie as it is a novel with all the tangled up and tortuous feelings of love and fear perfectly executed. There’s even a cheeky spin-off novella featuring one of the new-born vampires called The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner who elects not to fight in the deadly brawl.
The score for the Twilight movies is always superb; each song and piece of music perfectly sets the mood for the story. Favourites on the Eclipse soundtrack include ‘Neutron Star Collision’ by Muse and ‘Jacob’s Theme’ by Regency Movie Orchestra.
A stunning tale of danger and desire, Eclipse is a well-oiled vehicle which expertly moves the Twilight story along to the final chapter.
Did you know? Drew Barrymore was among a small group of candidates rumoured to be in the running to direct Eclipse. The gig eventually went to David Slade as Barrymore didn’t have as strong a background in directing to take on such a popular film franchise.
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
