I
thoroughly enjoyed Eclipse! We saw the movie Wednesday evening in a completely sold out theater and people started lining up 1-1/2 hours before the show. We had fourteen in our “group”, some of whom I met for the first time that night, but we managed to find a couple of rows of great seats together. You guys have already stated so eloquently the things I loved about this movie. I'll leave you with a few random thoughts that hopefully aren't a repeat of what's already been posted.
~I liked that the movie was sort of book-ended by scenes of Edward and Bella in the meadow. The scenes were beautifully shot and I loved how the instrumental version of “All Yours” during that scene transitioned nicely into the soundtrack version shown during the credits. I mentioned over on the other thread that “All Yours” is now my favorite song from the soundtrack because the lyrics perfectly convey what Bella's going through, and I loved the song placement at the end of the movie. I also liked Bella's monologue and the idea that she's not changing just for Edward, but also for herself. We've mentioned numerous times how Bella has never really fit in as a human, not in Arizona, and not really in Forks either. It was kind of like a “girl power” speech but I thought it suited movie Bella perfectly, and ought to somewhat ease Edward's fears and doubts about changing Bella for the wrong reasons.
~I loved Jasper's and Rosalie's backstories and thought MR and DS did an excellent job here, as well as the actors involved. Jasper and Alice were just so adorable together, and I thought Bella and Jasper had a nice scene together as well. It was great to see all the Cullens, but especially Jackson Rathbone get more screen time as they deserved.
~Seth was a cutie and just as I imagined from the book.
![Grin :D](./images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
I thought Boo Boo
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/laughing.gif)
did a nice job and liked his rapport with Jacob.
~The tent scene was realistic and believable with great acting by both Rob and Taylor. I imagine they'll have a number of scenes together in
Breaking Dawn and this reassures me that both actors will definitely carry their weight in those scenes.
~Fierceward.......Rawwwwrrrrrrr!
![Cool 8-)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
Need I say more?
~I loved Charlie's and Alice's little moment together, and it was something we should have already seen in
New Moon. I do think Alice has Charlie wrapped around her little marble finger
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/wink.gif)
.
~I was glad they explained the idea of imprinting to some degree, as it will ease the transition to
Breaking Dawn. Maybe they'll have time in the early scenes of
Breaking Dawn to mention Quil imprinting on Claire, to pave the way for the kind of icky factor of Jake imprinting on his former love interest's newborn baby
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/laughing.gif)
.
~I was happy to see Edward's eyes obviously black, to convey the fact that he hadn't fed because of trying to protect Bella. Again...something they should have shown in
New Moon (reunion scene), but at least they got it right this time.
~I thought the training and fighting scenes were top notch and could watch them repeatedly, especially set to music. The Cullens, the newborns, the wolves, and the stunts all looked impressive, although I do wish we'd seen Edward “tear Victoria to pieces”. Although Emmett didn't have more spoken lines than in the the previous two films, I loved his screen presence during the fighting scenes, and especially the scene when the Cullens chased Victoria into the wolves' territory.
~I loved the poignant scenes of Bella interacting with her parents, and especially the quilt her Mom gave her as a birthday gift.
Newjen, I probably would have lost it too, except for the fact that the theater was full and people sometimes whispered loudly during these quiet and emotional scenes.
~The leg hitch scene
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif)
......oh dear Lord.....
where is our gif?
~The proposal scene almost brought me to tears. Rob and Kristen's acting was excellent and elevated what could easily have been corny into a lovely, tender, and heartfelt scene. Bella's ring looked prettier and more delicate in the movie than it had previously in still shots.
I had a few small complaints, but nothing that detracted significantly from my enjoyment of the movie:
~I completely agree with a couple of you who have already lamented the fact that they played “Let's Get Lost” during the wrong scene. That song is so sensual and lovely; I thought it might be played during the leg hitch scene. It really didn't fit well when Bella rode off with Jacob on the motorcycle (I think that's where it was played?)
~As much as I loved the meadow scenes, I wish Edward had tried to “seduce” Bella in the second meadow scene. That's one of my favorite scenes from the book and would have given us a small taste of what to hopefully expect in
Breaking Dawn.
~I thought Riley (Xavier Samuel) was great, but I never could get used to Bryce Dallas Howard as Victoria. I just don't think she seemed quite as fierce or menacing or maniacal as Rachelle, I guess.
~I didn't see any bonding between Bella and Angela, or Edward and Seth. I guess there are just too many time constraints to develop or explore every relationship that exists in the books.
~It did seem as if Bella had an easier time “choosing” Edward in the movie than in the book, by the end. As difficult as it was to read and as badly as I felt for Edward, I was looking forward to the scene where Bella is nearly inconsolable and Edward drives her home and stays with her all night, comforting her. It would have been neat to see if Rob and Kristen could have pulled off that scene. I also wish they could have incorporated Bella's “vision” of her future children with Jake into the movie. Although it might have been a difficult scene to film and place appropriately within the movie, I think it deserved a place. I always found that scene somewhat heartbreaking in the book, although I think it represented Bella beginning to give true weight and consideration to what exactly she was giving up to spend eternity with Edward.
Jeez.....sorry for the mega post!