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The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

movies|the%20twilight%20saga%3A%20eclipse|2010-07-01

As a string of mysterious killings grips Seattle, Bella is forced to choose between her love for vampire Edward and her friendship with werewolf Jacob.

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Editorial

Trust David Slade to bring the noise. While Stephenie Meyer's teen-titillating romance doesn't permit the storm of gruesomeness he rained down upon 30 Days Of Night, the director's cast some dark clouds across Twilight's previously sunny horizon. There are still plenty of pretty faces, and more bare-chested bravado than a Tarzan casting session, but he's boosted Meyer's saccharine infusion with a much-needed dose of bitterness.

The third instalment in the franchise, Eclipse is the most action-packed entry yet, with Victoria returning from part one to exact her vengeance on Edward (the slayer of her true love) by sinking her teeth into his fragile paramour, Bella. To fuel her vengeance, she engineers an army of "newborns", led by Riley (Samuel), who unleash fury in the Pacific Northwest as they bid to track Bella and destroy both mortal girl and her immortal protectorate, the Cullens.

Secrets are bubbling to the surface in Eclipse. The Volturi are up to no good, and there's dark revelation in the form of two lively and enjoyable backstories (for Nikki Reed's Rosalie and Jackson Rathbone's Jasper). Elsewhere, Jacob finally confesses his passion for Bella, while old-school Ed asks for Bella's hand in marriage. Choices, both good and bad, inform the entire series, and here Bella must decide whether to admit that she loves Jacob as well as Edward. Or should she give herself fully to the latter, whom she loves the most?

The franchise fan base will enjoy the maturation of characters and plot, while Slade brings great energy to the climactic battle between the newborns and the Cullen-Wolf Pack alliance. Under his careful guidance, the series has evolved into something most unlikely: Twilight is in danger of becoming cool.

Will Lawrence