*SPOILERS* Review Number 1!!! (AFTER THE TWILOGY)

So I've come to the conclusion that although I was "watching" Eclipse on Friday night / Saturday morning, I was so exhausted I wasn't actually paying too much attention past

"OMG it's finally on the big screen and I'm watching it!! LOOK AT ROBWARD!!! OH WOW!!" I followed the story and SAW everything, but I will be taking everything in on Friday night... might even take a notebook!!

So we'll call this my "first impressions" review if you will! (Please note: these are MY OPINIONS! You can't tell me I'm wrong!!)

1) The most striking thing I noticed throughout the entire thing was that Rob really WAS Edward this time.... I can't put my finger on exactly what it was, but for the first time in the three movies, I sat and watched the Edward I picture in my head when reading come to life on the screen(1) It was so great to watch him bring the character to life.


2) Next - and this became apparent after watching and then coming home and finally reading the movie companion which I've had for a week and managed NOT to look at - was how much David Slade GETS the books. I think he has captured everything so well and really brought the book to life.


3) Taylor Lautner. That guy needs an award. Or fifty. His performance as Jacob is simply outstanding and SO believable. He has been the perfect guy for the role ever since the first film and he just keeps getting better.


4) The action sequences were superb - there was a new effect for vampire-on-vampire action, like rock on rock, marble on marble smashing together. I thought it was a very accurate portrayal of what is described in the book and also a great way NOT to have blood and gore in what is a HUGE battle.


5) The influence of "The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner". Had I not read this book beforehand, I probably would have just thought it was some clever, creative writing on Melissa Rosenberg's part, but as I DID read it, I could see a LOT of it come to life on the screen too and I was very happy to see it.


6) The omission of a few important things - such as the mention of imprinting happening no matter WHAT the age, which will become an essential piece of information in Breaking Dawn. I am fairly certain this was in the first draft of the script, but not in the final draft. This is a silly thing to leave out.


7) Kristen Stewart. I only saw ONE scene in the entire movie that I actually found saw any emotion seem to come out of her, and that was when she was with her mother. So literally 5 minutes out of the whole film. I still don't like her too much as an actress and she is DEFINITELY not the Bella I would have chosen.


8) Tent scene. Bedroom/proposal scene. Jasper's back story. The training. Rosalie's past. The Cullen/Wolf/Victoria chase scene. All GREAT!!


9) The soundtrack. Some tunes where I expected them. Some not. Some relegated to credits when really I would have thought they could have had a MUCH bigger impact somewhere in the main feature - such a shame.


10) The new Victoria. When I found out that Rachelle had scheduling conflicts for Eclipse (Still not sure whether that is code for something more sinister!) I deliberately didn't let myself get too attached to her in the character of Victoria. And I think New Moon helped with that by not having her say a single word in any of her screen time. I think Bryce Dallas Howard is a superb actress and she did a brilliant job stepping into the shoes of a fan favourite like Rachelle. If she was going to be in another one, then I'd say she needs to work on being mean because she's just too nice!! But she's not going to get that chance!!


11) Found myself laughing a lot during this one too. Yeah, it's about a love triangle and big ol' war, but it's good to have that comedy element too!


12) Watching all three films one after the other really highlights the changes and the differences that each director brings to the table. Very interesting. New Moon has slipped into third place now... with Eclipse in the forefront and Twilight (now I've FINALLY seen it on the big screen!) right there at number two!


Right... there's a few bits from what I can remember. Will try to have something a bit more comprehensive after Friday.


(1) I love to watch Rob as Edward, but he has never been MY Edward... he is not what I envision at all. Weirdly, I always hear Edward with an English accent - even though I hear all the other characters with American ones!! - so perhaps if Rob had his usual accent?!? Who knows
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