Director: David Slade
Studio: Summit Entertainment
Copyright: 2010
ASIN: B0042MEQVG
Age Level/Interest Age: Grade 7 to adult
Genre: Drama
Viewer’s Annotation: An army of "newborn" vampires is after Bella, and Edward and Jacob are fighting for her heart.
Plot Summary
In this third installment of the highly lucrative Twilight film franchise, Jacob and Edward compete for Bella’s love and an army of newly created vampires converges on Forks. At the beginning of the movie, we see Edward proposing (again) and Bella refusing. When Bella returns home, her father reminds her of his disapproval of Edward and encourages her to spend time with Jacob. A confrontation between the Cullens and the wolf pack results when the evil vampire Victoria runs through both of their territories. Because the conflict among her pursuers, she escapes. Jacob finally responds to Bella’s request to see him and carries her off on his bike in front of Edward. Meanwhile, the Cullens are concerned about reports of violence in Seattle, and seer sister has visions of a growing army of “newborns.” At some point, Bella finally accepts Edward’s proposal. Tension between Edward and Jacob is at an all-time high, but the vampires and wolves team up to first protect Bella and then intercept the vampire army. Bella’s scent is used as bait, but she is carried (by Jacob) high up into the mountains to stay clear of the battle. In the night (with both of her suitors watching over her) she becomes dangerously cold, and Jacob takes her in his arms to warm her up. Bella admits to her conflicting feelings before Jacob goes off to the battle the next day.
Critical Evaluation
Critics consistently praise Kristen Stewart’s acting (even in the Twilight movies). I’m sure they’re right, but I just don’t see it. I find her bland and boring. Her two male co-stars, though, are inarguably much worse. As in the first two films, their work here barely qualifies as acting. The supporting cast is better, but doesn’t get much screen time, as most of the movie is taken up with (endless, repetitive) discussions of feelings among Edward, Bella, and Jacob. The movie barely has enough plot to fill 90 minutes, but clocks in at 124. There’s no mystery for the audience about who is behind the newborn army, and it’s obvious from the beginning that it’s only a matter of time before they head to Forks. The battle is saved for the end, though, and all the action is over in just a few minutes.
Along the way, Eclipse demonstrates a bit of self-awareness. Jacob’s almost constant shirtlessness is played for laughs along with the usual sighs when Edward asks, "Doesn't he own a shirt?" The scene in the tent on the mountaintop is hilarious, and some of the humor is even intended. Jacob quips to Edward, "Let's face it, I am hotter than you." After Bella falls asleep, Jacob and Edward have a cringe-worthy conversation about their mutual liking (hypothetical, of course) that brilliantly showcases the deficiencies of both the script and the actors. Although Eclipse is as billed the best Twilight movie yet, that’s not saying much.
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Booktalking Ideas: N/A
Challenge Issues: Sexual tension, mild violence
In the defense file, I will include my library's selection policy, ALA's Library Bill of Rights, ALA's guidelines on free access to libraries for minors (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/freeaccesslibraries.cfm), and ALA's strategies and tips for dealing with challenges to library materials (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/copingwithchallenges/strategiestips/index.cfm). I will also include my library's reconsideration form, in case challenges to this book cannot be defused with "tea and sympathy." I'll include negative reviews from Roger Ebert, Rolling Stone, and The San Francisco Chronicle and mixed reviews from The New York Times and School Library Journal.
About the Author: N/A
Why is this title included?
The Twilight movies are wildly popular with teens of all ages.