The Twilight Saga: New Moon
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Synopsis
Devastated by the sudden departure of her vampire love Edward Cullen, Bella Swan spirals into reckless behavior and finds comfort in her friendship with Jacob Black, only to find herself caught in the crosshairs of ancient vampire royalty and a pack of shape-shifting werewolves.
Our Review
After the first Twilight success, a new Twilight tale with a New Moon is here to take you to the fantasy land of vampires again. It has a tagline “The Next Chapter Begins”… Hence this is a new story which again has a spell bounding charm of Edward (Robert Pattinson) and sweet innocence of Bella (Kristen Stewart).
The Twilight Saga: New Moon will be a great watch for the added vampire action along with the vampire romance. Hardcore fans of Twilight might love this movie, though the screenplay is a little disappointing and there exists a little too much of romance which makes it mushy, especially when compared to the fast-paced gothic showdowns found across other supernatural titles reviewed on MovieToWatch.
Plot
Bella (Kristen Stewart) has turned eighteen and the Cullens have thrown a birthday party for her. She readily agrees to come and while unwrapping the gifts she accidently cuts her hand causing drops of blood to fall onto the carpet. Edward’s (Robert Pattinson) brother very promptly plunges toward Bella as the smell of the blood tempts him. Edward however, comes to Bella’s rescue and realizes how dangerous his world is for Bella. This realization urges him to leave Forks.
Bella is left heart-broken and miserable for a long time. After a few months she realizes that Edward’s spirit appears in front of her to warn her whenever she is in danger. Hoping to have a glimpse of Edward this way, she engages herself into reckless activities. Bella also finds a new friend named Jacob (Taylor Lautner) who brings a lot of comfort to her. Gradually Bella discovers that Jacob and his friends are werewolves and they ultimately rescue her from the vampires Laurent (Edi Gathegi) and Victoria (Rachelle Lefevre) who want to take revenge for the death of James (Victoria’s mate) who was killed by the Cullens while attempting to save Bella from James.
Edward is led to believe that Bella has killed herself, which makes Edward to incite the Volturi in Italy, who are the vampire royalty, the only ones who can kill him. Alice (Ashley Greene) and Bella too rush to Italy to stop Edward from doing this. Volturi reveals that Bella a human has come to know a lot about the vampire world, hence it leaves them with only two options one – to kill her or two- to turn her into a vampire!
Ending Explained
In Volterra, Bella reaches Edward in the town square seconds before he steps into the sunlight to expose his glittering skin to human festival crowds. Taken before the Volturi coven, Aro is fascinated by Bella’s human mind resisting his telepathic power, as well as Jane’s psychic pain illusions. Aro allows them to leave on one condition: Alice shares a prophetic vision proving Bella will eventually become an immortal vampire.
Upon returning to Forks, the Cullens hold a family vote where the majority agrees to welcome Bella as an immortal companion, with Carlisle promising to transform her after high school graduation. Jacob confronts Edward in the forest, reminding him of the longstanding treaty that prohibits vampires from biting humans. After Jacob leaves, Edward confesses to Bella that his love for her never faded, agreeing to personally transform her on one condition: that she marry him first.
What We Think About This Movie
What We Liked
Chris Weitz’s warm, amber-tinted visual direction, offering a rich contrast to the cool-blue tones of the first installment.
The captivating introduction of the Volturi in Italy, anchored by wonderfully theatrical performances from Michael Sheen and Dakota Fanning.
Alexandre Desplat’s lush, melancholic orchestral score paired with a standout indie soundtrack featuring Thom Yorke, Bon Iver, and Death Cab for Cutie.
Taylor Lautner's charismatic physical presence and warm emotional rapport with Kristen Stewart, bringing energy to the film's second act.
What We Didn't Like
The middle act drags considerably under the weight of Bella’s protracted depression and longing.
The early werewolf CGI rendering feels slightly weightless compared to the practical makeup aesthetics of classic creature cinema.
Who Should Watch
Die-hard Twilight saga enthusiasts, lovers of supernatural love triangles, werewolf lore fans, and viewers who enjoy moody young-adult melodrama.
Who Should Skip
Viewers looking for relentless horror thrills, fast pacing, or traditional gothic terror.
Movie Details
Where to Watch The Twilight Saga: New Moon in the USA
Frequently Asked Questions About The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Is The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) worth watching?
Yes. Holding a 6.8/10 rating on MovieToWatch, it is a crucial entry for franchise fans, introducing the Volturi vampire leaders and establishing the Quileute werewolf mythology.
Who directed New Moon?
The film was directed by Chris Weitz (About a Boy, The Golden Compass), taking over directorial duties from Catherine Hardwicke.
Who are the Volturi in New Moon?
The Volturi are an ancient, powerful coven based in Volterra, Italy, who act as the governing royalty and enforcers of vampire law across the globe.
Where were the Italy scenes filmed?
The Italian scenes set in the fictional town of Volterra were primarily filmed on location in Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy.
How long is The Twilight Saga: New Moon?
The film has an official theatrical runtime of 130 minutes (2 hours and 10 minutes).
What is the age rating for New Moon?
It is rated PG-13 for some violence and action.
