New Moon

Directed By: Chris Weitz
Written By: Melissa Rosenberg
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and Billy Burke
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: C-

Second time around, disappointing.

New Moon picks up with Bella (Kristen Stewart) preparing to celebrate her 18th birthday.  So the Cullens throw Bella a small birthday party at their house.  This proves to be a bad idea.  During the party Bella accidentally cuts herself throwing Jasper (Jackson Rathbone) into a blood thirsty rage that threatens her life.  Of course Edward (Robert Pattinson) is there to protect her but the event is cause for concern for the Cullens.  Bella is assured it was a one time incident but Edward takes precautions and he and his family decide to leave town ... and Bella.  With Edward gone, Bella falls into a deep depression that only the companionship of Jacob (Taylor Lautner) can break.  Just as she and Jacob get closer he begins to act strange and disappears on her too.  Later Bella learns that his secret is a family lineage of werewolves which is passed down to him.  She decides to stick by her friend, whom she's now come to depend on.  Then Victoria (Rachelle Lefevre) returns for revenge leading Edward to take drastic measures for his true love, Bella.  This begins the infamous love triangle.  Whose side are you on? 

Sad to say but I was let down by this one.  I mean it wasn't a total bust, the werewolves were definitely worth seeing but there wasn't much else.  I'm sorry but the entire middle section of the film just dragged.  Maybe it reads better in the novel but on screen I didn't want to watch Bella's (Kristen Stewart) depression drag on and on.  It just wasn't the same without the vampires, especially Edward (Robert Pattinson).  Also the dialogue was even more ridiculous this time around.  I laughed a lot at the sheer silliness of the things that were said.  I actually felt too old to be watching this movie.  However I certainly peeked at Taylor Lautner's abs.  Other than the eye candy and the werewolves, things did not pick back up until the end of the film.  I know the relationship between Bella and Jacob had to be established but it just wasn't as fascinating as the one that bloomed with Edward. 
All in all it's worth seeing to stay on top of the growing Twilight story but the first one was definitely better. 

So I'd say see it so you keep up with the story but there's no rush.