The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012)

Directed by: Bill Condon | 116 minutes | adventure, drama, fantasy, romance | Actors: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Ashley Greene, Dakota Fanning, Maggie Grace, Taylor Lautner, Jamie Campbell Bower, Michael Sheen, Nikki Reed, Kellan Lutz, Mackenzie Foy, Jackson Rathbone, Christopher Heyerdahl, Peter Facinelli, Billy Burke, Lee Pace Christian Serratos, Elizabeth Reaser, MyAnna Buring, Noel Fisher, Joe Anderson, Cameron Bright, Angela Sarafyan, Aldo Quintino, Rami Malek, Booboo Stewart, Daniel Cudmore, Christian Camargo, Mía Maestro, Ty Olsson, Alex Meraz, Judith Shekoni

A new day dawns, and for the Twihards among us it’s time to say goodbye to Bella & co. To ease the pain, ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2’ provides the successful franchise with a fitting finale.

In ‘Part 1’ we saw how the mortal Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) married the vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), became pregnant and after a disastrous pregnancy gave birth to daughter Renesmee. In ‘Breaking Dawn – Part 2’, Bella awakens as a vampire. Anyone who has been annoyed by the heroine’s passivity for four parts will be pleasantly surprised by the transformation she undergoes. “I was born to be a vampire”, says Bella. The wavering teenage girl of yesteryear has disappeared and been replaced by a feisty aunt who hits nails on heads and pulls heads off hulls. While Stewart was criticized earlier this year for her role as a fighter in ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’, in ‘Breaking Dawn – Part 2’ she proves that she can indeed play a strong woman.

Of course, a vampire’s life is not a bed of roses. Bella must learn to manage her hunger for human blood, hunt Bambi’s for a “vegetarian” alternative, and bond with her father Charlie (Billy Burke). And then there’s Jacob (Taylor Lautner), who has imprinted himself on Renesmee according to good werewolf custom and sets himself up as the protector of the supernaturally fast-growing girl. There is not much time to work out these complications satisfactorily, because the film quickly heads for a confrontation between the Cullens and the Volturi. The vampire society suspects the Cullens of having created an immortal child, and since vampire thugs are notoriously bloodthirsty, the Volturi decide that Renesmee must die. Trying to convince them that the half-mortal, half-immortal Renesmee is goodness itself, the Cullens seek allies from vampire clans in every corner of the globe.

In terms of atmosphere, ‘Breaking Dawn – Part 2’ differs greatly from its predecessor. The long drawn-out relationship troubles and grim, body-horror-like scenes of ‘Part 1’ have given way to a manageable dose of gluttony and a good dose of action. As a brand new vampire, Bella has been given a sexy makeover, shattering boulders like nothing, and finally getting to work between the sheets with her Edward. Werewolf Jacob has since resigned himself to his status as Bella’s best friend – and Renesmee’s big brother – and keeps his shirt on for most of the movie from the bounce back. It wouldn’t be appropriate, either, running around in your bare ass with a little girl in tow. Fortunately, fans of Taylor Lautner’s abs can indulge in a playful scene in which Jake demonstratively takes off his shirt in front of a stunned Charlie.

The crowning piece of ‘Breaking Dawn – Part 2’ is a battle with so many heads rolling that it’s like you’ve landed in an episode of ‘The Tudors’. Halfway through there is a twist that you could label as cowardly, but which is correct within the context of the story. As usual, the film ends sweetly as a summer meadow – hold on tight, gentlemen! – and during the credits, all important characters are briefly reviewed, so that the ladies in the room can kick the habit in phases. On ‘Breaking Dawn – Part 2’ there is of course a lot to say. The film lacks emotional depth and feels messy due to the large number of new characters. Furthermore, the Volturi remain a curious club, of which only the cold Jane (Dakota Fanning) radiates a credible threat. On the other hand, the transformation of Bella provides a welcome breath of fresh air and that the film was made with such speed that it can also be enjoyed by less fanatical fans. A worthy conclusion to the Twilight franchise.