Film: ‘Eclipse’; Director: David Slade; Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anna Kendrick; Rating: **1/2
Ever since ‘Twilight’ hit theatres in 2008 the series has become the most successful vampire franchisee ever. The reason is its target audience – female teenagers. Among the three films so far, ‘Eclipse’ has the most for teenage girls to swoon over.
Right at the beginning of ‘Eclipse’, Edward asks Bella, ‘Marry me’ while Bella replies with ‘change me’. This sets the mood for the film, which finds Bella at a crossroad where she has to make a decision that will alter the rest of her life.
And aiding her confusion are confessions of vampires about how life as a vampire sucks, the growing love of Jacob for her, her own love for both the men in her life and of course, her own doubts about the right decision.
However, while Bella is caught between the two lovers in her life, someone is raising an army of newborn vampires. And amidst this fight between vampires, a love triangle unfolds, as two lovers fight this enemy for the sake of the same woman each loves.
‘Eclipse’ has enough elements for the target teenage girl audience to swoon over – a topless Jacob, a father having the uncomfortable ‘sex’ conversation with his daughter, two hot men fighting for one woman while she conveniently vacillates between the two, the two lovers having a war of words, and some cheesy moments that cause the two men to become jealous.
Considering that most often it is females who make the decisions about which movies to watch even for their boyfriends and spouses, and also because of its successful predecessors, the stupendous success of ‘Eclipse’ is literally guaranteed.
David Slade was a good choice to direct this latest offering. While Pattinson was the hot favourite of the ladies in the previous instalments, it is Taylor Lautner, playing Jacob with a muscular body and cute, lovable mannerisms, who steals everyone’s attention and sympathies as the jilted, but never-say-die lover.
Some might find the film excessively broody, with more conversation than action. Yet, ‘Eclipse’ has more action and special effects than its predecessors and if the ending is anything to go by, more is guaranteed in the filming of the final novel, which is being done in two parts.
