Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1
2011
**½
Director: Bill Condon
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Kellan Lutz, Nikki Reed, Jackson Rathbone, Ashley Greene

The last book in Stephenie Meyer's series is spread over two films. By now the love triangle is settled, but Jacob continues to be fiercely protective towards Bella, which doesn't go down well with his pack. Nevertheless, Edward and Bella have their wedding, and Bella is determined to consummate the marriage on the honeymoon, no matter the risks. Bill Condon takes over the directing duties for the finale, but he doesn't attempt to put his own stamp on the franchise; he's a safe pair of hands who provides a familiar mix of overheated romance, cheesy dialogue, and dodgy special effects. The first hour is slow-paced and uneventful, but the pace picks up in the second half as the events turn enjoyably weird and the story arc of the entire series begins to come together. Stephenie Meyer's vampire saga ends in Breaking Dawn - Part 2.