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The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)

Time Out rating

Average user rating

95 reviews

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

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User reviews of this film

Nikki said...

Posted on Mar 23 2011 12:17 So let down by this!. Big fan of the book and whilst edward and jacob are good :) Kristen Stewart is rubbish!. Maybe she can act, but not in this film. She just over blinks,sighs and stutters the whole time. The worst part is when the volturi are about to kill edward ( which would never happen as he can read minds and would be able to escape) and she scream for them not to. Just watch that part..its so cringe worthy! She made the film hard to watch!. Bella is more emotional than how kristen acts which is why i dont think she should be bella. The film was pointless really....

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John Cooper said...

Posted on Sep 04 2010 10:13 Yes, three stars is about right for this tasteful offering
to the mindset of teeenage adolescence. The movie
skilfully enters the self-centred, obsessional world of
teenage angst . . . where the real world is replaced by
one in which vampires and werewolves are the principal peer groups . However, what gives the film its superior class is the music of Alexandre Desplat . . . . . which
is beautfifully orchestrated in the final sequence and the credits.

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Johanna said...

Posted on Apr 02 2010 18:39 Twilight was good; entertaining, well stylised and not as nauseating as I expected. New Moon however was a disappointment; far too long with a corny script and some amazingly wooden acting - most notably by (gratuitously topless for most of the film) Taylor Lautner. Cringe worthy scenes of him taking off his t-shirt, running towards camera, his glossy locks flowing behind him like he's just had a promotional Pantene experience, prompted loud laughter from the audience. It was a packed cinema and I think everyone who wasn't comatose by this point had a hearty chuckle. However, bravo to Kristen Stewart who did sulky so well, and Robert Pattinson who makes an iron deficiency look very attractive.
In sum, I wouldn't waste your money going to see it unless you have an irresistible urge to self-harm. Even then there are cheaper and less enduring ways to do so.
©Johanna Lambert

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Thomas Noctor said...

Posted on Feb 20 2010 22:47 What I like about this film is that the lead roles aint good looking! As a man I don't find her attractive and he looks like an Alien but this was 100 times better than 1! I was rooting for the Wolves!

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DeclanCasey said...

Posted on Feb 19 2010 12:36 I feel that the film itself only caters to teenage girls, as it is mostly men too many muscles, and their tops off. I also noticed that Laurent (The Black Vampire) was hit with direct sunlight in his scene where he is about to attack Bella, and does not sparkle. I feel this is a touch racist, as Laurent is then attacked by a 'gang' of savage werewolves, and the latter is brutally murdered, when he had not hurt Bella as such.

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cmd said...

Posted on Jan 03 2010 17:14 Absolutely loved the fist, Edward hooked me! had to watch NM twice to love it, not as good as I expected but still loved it, can't wait till next to see Edward! If only I was 20 years younger ..... lol!

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jessica said...

Posted on Dec 31 2009 11:26 this film was quite good but then actors were quite poor

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Ryo said...

Posted on Dec 17 2009 13:02 Boring film, no better than the first one. At least i didnt have to put up with Ed making faces for the 1st half. The lead duo really need to find alternate careers possibly as planks or something, although Keanu reaves manages with only 2 expressions so possibly they will get more work, who knows. if you want to see a decent vampire film, try NEAR DARK.

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maclean said...

Posted on Dec 12 2009 15:56 Great that you think it is cool to have pirated versions. Some people make their living from films. Buying bootleg copies puts my job in danger.

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heidy said...

Posted on Dec 07 2009 13:23 I liked Twilight better than New Moon, since NM didn't have those emotional tension between Edward and Bella... Its very slow and in some moments, boring. I can feel the lack of the music which was absolutely GREAT in the first one. Since I'm a HUGE fan of these books, I must say that Catherine did a better job on building an emotion and Chris is better for the action parts... Since this is emotional drama between a vampire and a girl - a director should be someone who doesn't think that "kissing scene" is "waisting of movie minutes".

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millE said...

Posted on Dec 06 2009 15:24 desrves another one....lame

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millE said...

Posted on Dec 06 2009 15:23 lame lame lame

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a handley said...

Posted on Dec 06 2009 10:44 i was looking forward to this film , but the trailer was better. it dragged up until the end.its a shame as it should have been much better, instead of another 3rd film they could of made a brilliant sequel

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Katy said...

Posted on Dec 06 2009 04:27 Can't understand how Time Out thinks this could POSSIBLY rank as an average movie. If this is how low the standards have sunk for modern cinema I, well... I guess I won't be going to the cinema. Seriously bad stuff here.

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KdH said...

Posted on Dec 06 2009 04:13 Whaaaa???? You guys all LIKED this film??? I'm afraid I don't see what the hype is about. As far as I could see, what there was of a plot was very slow and very thin; the special effects were cartoonish at best; the music was overwhelming; and the acting was terrible - big waste of time and money really.

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