“Make
Love, Not War”
For
all the blood and tearing of flesh or umm…Vampire skin…this seems to be the
essential anD age-old – ‘moral’ of the entire Twilight Saga – Make Love Not War.
Now
that I’ve unconventionally put the moral of the story right at the top let’s
get to business…how does the finale film of this grand saga…adapted from
Stephanie Meyers brilliant novel come about?
I watched
the Indian version. My first shock and utter disappointment is that - I’m sorry
to all the culture vultures out there but very aesthetically speaking – the
entire sex scene…is chopped off. The highlight of the first half of the film, and
of Bella and Edward’s love story…when both as immortal-equals enjoy the carnal
pleasure…the thrill of watching the cinematographic interpretation of this
particular paragraph from the book is denied to the Indian audience. Too hot to
handle?
The
vivid and brilliant experience of Bella’s strength and clarity as a vampire
could have been comprehensive …yes,
definitely a few more frames could have been allotted to that. Just as soon as
we begin to enjoy it, the story moves forward. Maybe this is just because I’m
used to the liberal time allowance of Bollywood films J
Baby
Renesmee looks very much like she is conceived in the animation room than Bella
and Edward’s bedroom, despite sharing Bella’s brunette beauty. After seeing the
lifelike werewolves we expected the inter-specie spawn to look just as
convincing.
There
are convenient clichés as well – like when Alice foresees the Volturi’s arrival
she is just about to place a vase full of flowers and the shock of her vision
has her dropping the vase and the shattering sound, well adds shock value to
the scene as a whole.
But
some clichés are more than welcome. Jacob’s undressing, for example.
But
the highlight of the second half is no-doubt the war scene. Fantastic action
choreography! Totally gripping. Sure to stir up a few gasps and ‘oh no’s’ from
the audience. Brilliant effects here. The larger your screen the better.
No
complaints for cinematography. Effects are cool just needed a li’l more
convincing with baby Renesmee. Editing could’ve been more merciful? Or was it
keeping in mind time constraints? Kristen Stewart, maybe because of the change
in her character, is a lot more stronger with her histrionics. Everything about
her is so bold in the film! Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner seem to have
matured and look all the more comfortable in the character of their skins.
renesmee brings out the confidence needed for Renesmee’s character beautifully.
Rest of the star cast does total justice to their parts.
Christina
Perri’s song lingers in your mind long after the end credits are over. An ideal
ode to one of the greatest love stories of modern times.
Once
again, we are back to believing in ‘happy ever afters’ which seemed to have
gotten lost with the Disney cartoon era. And I wish there had been Alices in
real life to show nobody wins in wars and everyone is happy if you walk away
after sensible talks.
Rating:
***
