Review: The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Ah high school - those were the days. Finding yourself. Getting lost in the feeling of first love. Having a vampire and a werewolf fight for your affection while they save you from another vampire who's trying to kill you. What, that wasn't your experience?

The teen angst and melodrama of the vampire-human romance at the heart of "The Twilight Saga" won't appeal to everyone. But given the $176 million it banked in its first week and the droves of screaming "Twihards" who flocked to cinemas in their Team Edward and Team Jacob attire, "Eclipse" is only making the Twi-fever grow stronger.

Sure the first two films were successful, but "Eclipse" is the first of the "Twilight" films that feels deserving of a blockbuster summer release.

In the franchise's third installment, supernatural drama is hitting Forks, Wash., full-force. A string of murders in Seattle has the media crying serial killer, but the Cullen clan knows the real culprits are an army of newborn vampires - those whose lust for blood is still so new that it can't be controlled. But why the army was created remains a mystery.

The personal lives of Bella (Kristen Stewart), Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Jacob (Taylor Lautner) aren't much prettier than the carnage and mayhem the newborn vamps have wreaked on Seattle. Bella is still set on becoming a vampire, but she's reluctant to meet Edward's condition that she marry him first. Jacob refuses to come to terms with Bella's choice, and his feelings for her only continue to grow stronger.

If Edward turns Bella, the Cullens' treaty with the werewolves is off, but if he doesn't, they'll have to face the wrath of the Volturi, the ruby-eyed, creepy vampire government who may have alterior motives of their own. And then there's still the matter of Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard), who wants Bella dead as vengeance for Edward killing her mate, James.

What's a girl to do with a charismatic vampire and a studly werewolf vying for her affections? Convince them to team up to take down Victoria and the vampire army for good, of course.

A few parts of "Eclipse" feel a little slow, but overall the film is a vast improvement from its predecessors. The visual effects are superior to the previous two installments, though the vampire makeup is still too pasty and gaunt, even for the undead.

"Twilight" and "New Moon" often relied a bit too much on romance and melodrama and not enough on plot. Bella and Edward are still swooning over each other and exchanging angsty glances - after all, it wouldn't be "Twilight" without that element. But "Eclipse" boasts a more defined plot and a lot more action, maybe even enough to keep the dragged-along boyfriends and husbands interested.

As with the previous two films, the script is the weakest element, although I don't completely blame screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg. Stephenie Meyer's sappy dialogue may read well enough on the page, but it just doesn't translate when spoken onscreen. It would breathe more life into the script if Rosenberg took a few liberties, but given the fervor of the "Twi-hards," hardcore fans would likely revolt if she changed too much.

"Eclipse" still isn't the best showcase of Stewart's, Pattinson's and Lautner's acting chops, but all three seem more comfortable in their roles this time around. The film also makes better use of the supporting players, who were barely present in "New Moon." We get a glimpse of Jasper's and Rosalie's backstories, which gives the underused Jackson Rathbone and Nikki Reed more to do. But as usual, Billy Burke as Bella's dad emerges as the movie's scene stealer.

Much of the film's success can be attributed to director David Slade. His experience with darker fare like "Hard Candy" and "30 Days of Night" gave "Eclipse" more of an edge, but he still never lost sight of the romance at the heart of the story.

If you liked the other "Twilight" movies, you'll like "Eclipse." If you hated the other movies, you'll probably hate "Eclipse" too. But if you're neither a Twi-hard nor a Twi-hater, odds are you'll find it's at least entertaining enough to be worthy of a summer blockbuster release. B-