The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part II

Series reviews: Twilight (2008), The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009), The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010), The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part I (2011), The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part II (2012)

“Breaking Dawn Part 2” is the fifth and final installation of the Twilight Saga. While some might sigh in overdue relief, some will likely find the film a satisfying end to what many call an epic love story.

“Breaking Dawn Part 2” begins immediately where “Part One” ended. Bella awakens as a vampire into a newly heightened world. Once her hunger is satisfied, Bella meets her daughter Renesmee, a half-immortal child who’s growing at an astonishing rate. While the Cullens are happily raising Nessie, she’s mistakenly believed to be an immortal child. Once the Volturi hear of this, they are determined to uphold their laws and kill the child. Carlisle believes if he can gather witnesses to vouch for Renesmee’s humanity, the Volturi will spare the little Cullen.

The CGI leaves a lot to be desired. In fact, I was rather shocked that such an expensive blockbuster would have nearly laughable graphics. Baby Renesmee was digitally altered to look like Bella, but the baby looks fake. Though colorful, the scenery is mostly fake as well, and it’s a bit distracting.

With that mentioned, however, this movie has a lot more substance and positive morality than the other installments. Since Edward and Bella are both on an equal playing field, Bella doesn’t come off as desperate anymore. She fiercely loves her family and wants to make sure her daughter remains safe. Jacob is no longer focused on Bella and Edward, but is determined to be a guardian for Renesmee. The entire Cullen family is also willing to die for one another and fight for what’s right. The Cullens’ friends risk their lives to stand beside them and against the Volturi (John 15:13).

Objectionable content

Bella easily controls her bloodlust. She’s briefly tempted, but Edward helps her through it, and she soon removes herself from the temptation (1 Cor. 10:13). She hunts down an animal and is shown biting its neck while it briefly cries out.

Bella does wear tighter dresses in this film, and one has a slit. Several women wear low-cut dresses. Jacob undresses and is shown down to his underwear right before he shifts into a wolf.

I’d say that this latest installment has the most violence. There are numerous decapitations, either by other vampires or by the wolf attacks. In the earlier movies, the decapitations were brief, but in this film, they’re a lot more vivid. In the prolonged battle scene, some vampires stomp on necks or twists necks. One vampire has his upper jaw ripped off. Some are shown twisting bodies or pulling bodies in opposite directions in order to decapitate. One ripped head is proudly held up by its hair, while another’s is held in the mouth of an avenging wolf.

In a flashback, an immortal toddler is shown with a bloody mouth around a pile of dead bodies. His maker’s head is ripped off and her body set on fire. One male vampire finishes his hunt of a human in the shadows. One of the Volturi’s super powers is the ability to emit black smoke. He releases a high amount of black smoke while a group of vampires surrounds one and dismembers him. In anger, Bella hits Jacob several times and hits one of a member of his pack.

There is one sex scene (the married couple). Bella straddles Edward, and, as they kiss, he rips her dress from the back. There are glimpses and up-close shots of their limbs and bare backs. Afterward, Bella tells her husband that he really was holding back when they’d been intimate during her time as a human. She says she fears that she may not want to stop for weeks. The morning after, Emmett jokingly asks if they’re done already and if they broke any furniture. There’s a comment of how Emmett and Rosalie went at it for a decade. In another scene, Edward tells Bella she needs a bath and begins to unbutton her shirt.

Although Carlisle attempted a diplomatic approach with the Volturi, several people warned him that the Volturi would never listen, but instead kill them all. Even Edward shared with Carlisle that everything that was happening was because he fell in love with a human (Psalm 94:16). Yes, the movie is about vampirism and wolves, but their attempt to protect an innocent child reminded me of Proverbs 31:8-9:

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Overall, I found the film to be a decent ending to the saga. Kristen Stewart delivered her best performance as Bella, and the movie’s fast-paced plot made the movie engaging. If you enjoyed the previous installments, then I believe you’d enjoy this one. If you aren’t a fan, then don’t bother. This film is only targeted at Twihards and general fans of the saga.

Violence: Heavy to extreme / Profanity: Mild—“hell” (2), “p_sses,” “friggin’”/ Sex/Nudity: Moderate to heavy

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