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LeahJayne
Reviews
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012)
Fans of the series will not be disappointed
Breaking Dawn Part 2 is easily the best film in the series. Although if you're not a fan of the series, I guess that's not saying much. I personally enjoyed it very much. Part 2 introduces a lot of new characters, including Renesmee played by a very talented Mackenzie Foy. She is well-suited to the part, conveying a grown-up maturity inside a child's body. I liked Jacob the most in this film. Now that he's finally over his obsession with Bella, it's like a weight has been lifted from him. It was nice to see him finally get his happy ending. Edward and Bella are also at their best in this film. The dynamic between them is the most like how it is in the books. Bella is finally the strong, confident vampire she was always intended to be, and she and Edward are now free to be together without restraint. You can see Edward's relief that he no longer has to be so careful with his once very breakable human love.
As for the big twist at the end, I knew almost immediately what they were up to, and I have to say it was pretty clever and certainly dramatically effective. I loved the reaction in my theatre. Even though I knew what was happening, it was still shocking and I gasped out loud a few times.
I loved the ending. It wrapped up everything nicely, and included a flash forward to when Renesmee is full grown. The very last scene with Edward and Bella in the meadow is probably the sweetest moment in the series. I actually found myself choking up a bit, which I was not expecting. When Bella removes her shield, there's a lovely montage of memories from her mind. This was one of my favourite moments from the books because Edward can finally see what Bella has known all along. I liked the inclusion of words from the book.
The credits, or curtain call as I call it, was a nice touch. I thought it was a great way to close the film, including all of the characters even the ones who didn't feature in this one.
Well, that's it. It's done. Kind of bittersweet for fans of the series. If you haven't been a fan by this point, this film is not going to convert you. But if you are a fan, go see it. You won't be disappointed.
Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)
KStew will surprise you!
7.5 out of 10.
I was intrigued by the idea of a modern retelling of the classic tale of Snow White. I don't think we've seen a major Hollywood production of the story since the Disney version. Well, Disney it is not. This is a darker and more mature interpretation for adults and slightly older kids.
When I heard that Kristen Stewart would be playing the title role of Snow White, I have to say I had my doubts. We all know her as the clumsy and awkward Bella, but she really surprised me in this movie. This role is completely different from anything I've ever seen her do. She goes from being a princess to a prisoner to a fugitive to a warrior to a queen all within the space of a film. And all throughout, she does a good job of inhabiting the character. As in the classic tale, she is a kind and innocent young girl who cares deeply for those around her. You believe that she would sacrifice her life for a friend or even a creature she cares about. You also believe her determination to vanquish the evil Queen and restore peace to her father's kingdom.
I really enjoyed the chemistry between Kristen Stewart and Liam Hemsworth who plays the huntsman. The huntsman is a drunken widower instructed by the Queen to venture into the Dark Forest and bring Snow White back to the kingdom. But rather than capture her, he befriends her and protects her and eventually forms a connection with her. Liam was particularly great in a scene towards the end. Speaking to a seemingly lifeless Snow White, he expresses his sadness at having lost his first love and now her, too. I think someone else on the site put it well – he does a good job of playing a brute with a heart.
Charlize Theron plays the evil Queen to chilling perfection. I don't think anyone else could have done it quite like her. She is beautiful and menacing at the same time. With one look, she could freeze your blood. There are times when she's very cool and collected and then there are times when her anger just spits out at whomever she's closest to. We understand what drives her in this movie. In order to become immortal, she must consume the heart of the fairest one of all, Snow White. Vain and shallow though it may be, we understand her motivation, and Theron plays the Queen's desperation and frustration very convincingly.
Of course, there were some areas where the movie lacked. The first and third acts were great, but the middle was slow in some parts. There was a lot of build up to the final confrontation that could have been shortened. I also think the ending was too abrupt. Too much was left to the imagination. Unless it was setting up for a sequel, in which case, I could forgive the ending. It seems like the filmmakers had a lot of great ideas and tried to cram them all into the movie without fully explaining them. This is where the pacing suffered. I would have preferred to see more time spent on character and relationship development.
Taken as a whole, I enjoyed the movie. It was entertaining and well-acted and certainly an epic feast for the eyes. I would say if you enjoy fantasy films in the style of Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia, you will enjoy it. It's a great way to kick off the summer movie season.
The Hunger Games (2012)
A winner both as a movie and an adaptation
I was lucky enough to see The Hunger Games at a midnight screening amid the droves of buzzing and excited fans. I have to say, it definitely lives up to the hype. I walked out of the theatre feeling really happy with it. The movie is a faithful adaptation from the book and does an excellent job of introducing the audience (both fan and non-fan alike) to the world of Panem.
As readers of the series know, the books are told from Katniss' point-of-view. This is a great way to experience a book – we're inside our heroine's head and experiencing everything as she does. In a movie, however, we have to venture outside of her head. This allows us to see things that we wouldn't otherwise see. For example, the Hunger Games control room and the uprising in District 11. These scenes provided a background for the Games themselves as well as the ruthless, totalitarian nature of the society.
This is one of the best book-to-movie adaptations I've ever seen. The story unfolds almost exactly as it does in the book, including every major scene. It also included a lot of the original dialogue, which was great. Whenever a movie is adapted from a book, there are going to be some differences due to timing and other factors. However, a good movie adaptation will capture the essence of the book, and I think this one does that well. Personally, the movie evoked in me the same feelings that I got when reading the book.
As a fan, it's wonderful to see really talented actors embody the characters we've come to know and love. The cast, both lead and supporting, is absolute perfection. Jennifer Lawrence, in particular, is phenomenal in the role of Katniss. Although slightly older than the character, she brings a level of maturity and a commanding presence that were necessary to play the part. She carries the whole movie and a couple of standout moments for me were the Reaping and also the launch into the arena.
I have to commend director Gary Ross and his team for bringing us a faithful and entertaining movie version of The Hunger Games. It's truly amazing to see this world as described in the books (from the dreary Seam in District 12 to the extravagant Capitol) come to stunning visual life. My only real complaint is that the release for Catching Fire is so far away!