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Bookmark this pageThe Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)
Director: Chris Weitz
Synopsis
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart return in this sequel to the massively popular brooding vampire movie, 'Twlight'. It's the second of a planned four movie series that are all adapted from the original novels by author Stephanie Meyer and concern the emotion ups and downs of a cadre of pin-up vampires from the suburbs.
Movie review
From Time Out London
Given the effect the first ‘Twilight’ film had on teens, it’s appropriate that the sequel is a study of sexual and romantic obsession. When pallid, principled vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson) leaves town, his chaste girlfriend, Bella (Kristen Stewart), moons and mourns for months. The usual teen pursuits don’t interest her: she sneers at shopping and only opts for sport or cinema if they bring her closer to Edward. Then solace arrives in the bulging biceps of Jacob (Taylor Lautner), Bella’s childhood friend-turned-boy-hulk.It’s not exactly a celebration of female independence, but ‘New Moon’ still has an expert handle on its young audience. Near-kisses and sexual frustration abound. Boys become attractive yet also dangerous when they come of age – and the good ones keep the monsters in check. This time, the monsters aren’t merely vampires, but werewolves: spectacular CG creatures that snarl and pounce their way through several enjoyable action sequences, then transform back into buff, topless young studs… Yep, ‘New Moon’ knows what it’s doing.
Plot-wise it’s a slow starter, but gains momentum when Bella develops a taste for adrenaline in the hope of catching a glimpse of her vampiric protector. Motorbike rides and deathly dives follow, along with a scenic race to Italy to meet uber-vampire Michael Sheen (always a pleasure). Welcome comedy comes from Bella’s schoolmates, notably Jessica (Anna Kendrick), who wearily deconstructs the symbolism in zombie movies while bemoaning the lack of hot guys. Is this ‘New Moon’ defending its fanbase and pre-empting criticism about its transparent agenda? Natalie and Bella are intelligent young women, yet ruled by their hormones – plenty of room for audience identification there. ‘New Moon’ is little more than a skilful soap opera, but it’s still enjoyable escapism – even if you’re old and wise enough to see through it.
Author: Anna Smith
Time Out London Issue 2048: 19-25 November, 2009
User reviews of this film
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- WoodyGall x said...
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Posted on Dec 04 2009 21:05
I Thaught The Film Was Brilliant. I Have Now Seen It 2 Times And I Am Off To See It With Another Friend Tomorrow. If You Didn't Like The First Twilight, You Have To See The Second NewMoon. The Story Line Is Interesting, And A Cliff Hanger Right At The End. OMGG. TeeHee, Over All The Film Is A great HItt.
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- matttt said...
- Posted on Dec 04 2009 19:28 i thout it was great, i was only going because some mates wanted me to go with them and i thought i was n't going to enjoy it but i found i actually really enjoyed the whole film
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- matttt said...
- Posted on Dec 04 2009 19:25 i thout it was great, i was only going because some mates wanted me to go with them and i thought i was n't going to enjoy it but i found i actually really enjoyed the whole film :)
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- emily said...
- Posted on Dec 03 2009 19:15 i loved it
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- e said...
- Posted on Dec 03 2009 19:13 brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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- e said...
- Posted on Dec 03 2009 19:13 brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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- beckie said...
- Posted on Dec 02 2009 15:56 This film is as good as the first 'Twilight'. I read the reviews about the New Moon and was unsure on weither to bother going to see the film... but I was glad I did as the effects were alot better then reported and the story line great... that good that I went and bought the third book and the fourth and read them both within a week!! (I dont read books normally either) The story line grabbed me. Great stuff so I made my mum watch Twilight and now she has also got the bug.. so.. Im taking her to watch New Moon tonight!! Great I get to see it again so soon !! LOL Can't wait for the third film to be released!!! Hope everyone enjoys the film as much as I have, easy watching and very pleasing to the eye!!!!!
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- hache_2 said...
- Posted on Dec 01 2009 23:53 I agree with a few people, there are a couple of bits in the film that i cringed at, some acting was stiff but overall they did a really good job. i loved the wolves in the forest chasing vampires, the music, the vivid colours, it emphasized how unreal bellas new world is, as for the scene with bella and edward in the forest running/skipping, its mearly a vision that alice has shown aro to delight him, make it so fairytail that it encapsulates him. people need to read the books then watch the films, you get so much more meaning out of the films that way, every look, every sigh, all accounted for and explained in the book. definitly a film u shud see, even if you do go to the cinema with pre-conceptions. a massive well done to chris for going against the grain and creating something truely unique and inspiring
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- dale booton said...
- Posted on Dec 01 2009 11:55 i hope the movie is as good as the book as im going to see it tonight
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- dale booton said...
- Posted on Dec 01 2009 11:53 i hope the movie is as good as the film and i cant wait to see it tonight
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- Multiplexor said...
- Posted on Dec 01 2009 00:28 We went to see this film tonight, and were expecting the worst, having read some of the previous reviews. We were actually pleasantly surprised. We enjoyed the film, thought that it was even better than the first film, and are looking forward to the next one in the series next year.
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- Tori said...
- Posted on Nov 29 2009 13:15 OMG! i liked new moon thought it was waaaaay better then twilight. i thought jane was going to be dumb but she was kick a*! i loved her she was all like pain and edward went down!. the best part of the whole movie was the volturi tho thats about it. im looking forward to the next one on june 30th 2010 it should be really good i hear its waaaay better then both new moon and twilight im intrestead is seeing how they r going to do the last book into a movie because of the diffrent pionts of veiws.well....TEAM EMMETT! :p
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- ayeshah said...
- Posted on Nov 28 2009 12:22 jacob balck is sooooo fineeee in this film!!!!!!!!
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- Lotti said...
- Posted on Nov 26 2009 12:58 Ok, so there were some good things and some bad. Book 2 is very slow and not my favourite in the series and I guess thats why this film also feels a bit slow. Story doesn't get going properly for ages and and some stage I even looked at my watch! I was also expecting to see more on the wolf pack (dynamics in the pack and Jakes struggle) and though Edward was just a big misery. Oh, he is just annoying me endlessly. Then the music to this film - Twilight was so fab - what a good soundtrack it had! New Moon was boring and tedious - all this violin stuff and the music did not set the scene (like it did in Twilight). The special effects were also pretty awful - the wolfes - I don't know... expected more! On the good side - loved Taylor Lautner as Jake. He is just how I imagine him and I think his acting was pretty good. And wow - did he look good!! The 'taking of the shirt' sequence will stay with me forever ;-) So, somehow a bit disappointed but kind of expected it.
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- bella said...
- Posted on Nov 26 2009 12:10 edward rocks my world
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Now showing
This film is showing at these cinemas near Leicester Square, Greater London
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Cast & crew
Director: Chris Weitz
Cast: Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart
Genre(s): Horror
Duration: 130 mins
UK Release: Nov 20 2009
US Release: Nov 20 2009
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