Backing the Underdog

Today I can officially come out. I admit that I have been teetering on the edge. But after last night joining the general exodus to movie theatres around the country to watch latest Twilight saga movie, New Moon, I am decided. If you can't guess from the title of this blog, let me clear it up once and for all. I belong to Team Jacob.

New Moon the movie, did do justice to New Moon the book. Pleasingly there was little deviation from the book (always a bonus) with the atmosphere, characters and plot line all carrying the story along in much the way I had imagined.

The characters are a huge part of the appeal of the series to me and this comes through well on screen. Edward is at once dark and pale, a tortured "soul" as despite the debate raging through the series, it is hard to imagine this particular family of vampires without a soul. Jacob is solid and earthy, but with his own challenges and secrets - secrets that he finds a way for Bella to discover. Bella is both a typical teenage girl full of angst for a broken relationship, but also a strong, often unflappable woman (you have to be really when your boyfriend is a vampire and your best friend is a wolf). But what I also like about the three main characters is that they are, well, human. Edward and Jacob square off with typical male egos and bouts of jealousy, while Bella can be weak and selfish. They are not perfect and this is what makes the story intriguing.

The supporting characters do their job well, although the book goes with more depth into the wolf pack. I have always been a fan of Sam and Emily and I would love to know more of their story (hint hint Stephenie Meyer). The Volturi are exactly as I pictured - sinister and arrogant. The Cullens return, although apart from the bubbly Alice, don't play such a large part in this movie.

I was especially interested in the way the special effects would create the wolf images and transformations and this was successfully achieved, especially in the fight sequences.

All together, it was exceptionally satisfying and I could quite easily sit through it again, as I am sure there are nuances I missed the first time round. Always a sign of a good movie. I can't wait for Eclipse and must definitely take anothe run through the books. If you are looking for anything Twilight related in our library, click on this link here.