I am well aware that in writing this review, I am addressing an army of teenage girls the size of which hasn't been seen since Justin Bieber was spotted doing a kissogram in Blackpool. The seemingly religious following which the Twilight Saga has created has bemused many but obviously reflects a certain quality which runs throughout all the films and which appeals to a very specific demographic. The first three Twilight films made over $1,800,900,000 and have become one of the most financially successful film franchises of all time. The second film, New Moon, broke box office records by having the biggest midnight screening and opening day receipts in history. Not bad for a series which many critics have dismissed quicker than an offer for a free massage from Edward Scissorhands.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1 (what a snappy title!) has been eagerly anticipated by the fans and, for the most part, positively received by them. However, the vast majority of critics have given it very unfavourable reviews and, for the most part, I disagree. In order to give Breaking Dawn a proper appraisal, it is necessary to watch it bearing in mind the audience at which it is targeted. Directed by Bill Condon, the fourth instalment follows Bella (Kristen Stewart) as she marries vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and falls pregnant. As the child grows inside her, it soon becomes clear that Bella's life is in danger and that the birth of a vampire-human will create new problems for the vampire coven and their rivals, the werewolf pack. The film started with what has become the Twilight trademark; Taylor Lautner took his shirt off, Robert Pattinson gave his 'I'm about to eat you' look and Kristen Stewart delivered her lines with as much enthusiasm as if her pet dog had just died. Maybe I'm being a bit harsh. But what I'm trying to say is that the first half of the film follows the formulaic style which has made the previous films so popular – that is to say, a focus on Bella and Edward's relationship. Many have called this first half slow, dull and uneventful. I have to say that, whilst it did have some pacing issues, the first half explored Bella and Edward's relationship in a way which had not been done before. Condon brings a sense of inwardness and intimacy to the two characters and their predicament which, by definition, takes a lot of screen time to develop.
This instalment has lost a certain edge that the first film had and looks less distinctive in terms of cinematography. Gone are the blue filters which permeated Twilight, to be replaced by a warmer, more aesthetically-pleasing colour scheme – a nod to Bella and Edwards deepening relationship? I think not. But either way, the visuals looked a bit too Hollywood and a bit too polished and I think this is a shame as the original film almost had a Gothic-esque look to it which I liked very much. I was also unsure about the soundtrack which at times felt obtrusive and totally unsuited to the drama playing out on screen. On another level, the 12A certificate was a surprise as the content of the film (not so much the sex, but the blood and body horror) was definitely bordering on a 15 rating. I reckon the distributors slipped the BBFC a cheeky tenner and a signed Taylor Lautner calendar. These issues aside, my overall response to the film was positive. I am in no way a fan of Twilight and Breaking Dawn is not the sort of film you'd go to see (having not seen any of the others) on a rainy Sunday afternoon if there was nothing else on at your local multiplex. The film, by its very definition, requires the audience to be a fan.
And that is what annoys me the most about critics' reviews of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1. The vast majority make no attempt to consider the film in terms of 'fandom'; there's nothing seriously wrong with the film and it works within the context of a fan audience. The fact that (as this goes to 'print') on RottenTomatoes.com, Breaking Dawn was liked by 28% of critics compared to 92% of the audience, speaks volumes. The phrase 'this film wasn't made for the critics' is banded about all too frequently but in this case, I think it is adept. The teenage girl audience is often ignored by Hollywood which, instead, tends to produce series of films for teenage guys (Transformers, Star Wars, Die Hard) and when the occasional teen girl flick does come along, it is lambasted by critics as infantile drivel. Breaking Dawn, Part 1 is not high art. But that's okay. It works within the context in which it was produced. And you know what? It's high-time some critics got over themselves.
Clapperboard Rating: * * *
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