Friday November 20, 2009

THE wait is over: Twilight sequel New Moon — the most eagerly-awaited film of the year — has finally landed in theaters!

The film’s stars — Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner have been traveling the globe over the past few weeks promoting the flick, so they’ll no doubt be glad to sit back, relax and watch the pennies roll in at the box office!

Pattinson — who plays vampire Edward Cullen in the movie series — recently revealed that he’s more “relaxed” about the release of New Moon.

“I’m surprised at how relaxed I am about the whole thing now,” the 23-year-old said. “I was really nervous when we started shooting New Moon, especially because of the expectation and everything… only because the first one did so well. I was really freaking out.”

Referring to the time Twilight fans were writing on internet message boards that they didn’t want him to play Edward, Pattinson said, “I think, in a way, I liked that. I felt I had less pressure because I had absolutely zero expectations whatsoever.

“For New Moon I was kind of freaking out a little bit at first, but hopefully I learned a couple of things that seemed to work on the first one. So I’m pretty calm now.”

Meanwhile, let’s see what the critics make of The Twilight Saga: New Moon!

“The phenomenon is more than critic-proof: it basically consigns us to the dust-heap,” writes Tim Robey of Britain’s The Telegraph.” Not even Star Wars or Lord of the Rings devotees bagged their seats this voraciously. All we can hope is that the core audience aren’t disappointed — an unlikely outcome given their specific requirements, which New Moon can hardly fail to satiate.

“It barely needs to be competent storytelling, and isn’t, really. Robert Pattinson’s skin must glitter in the sun. The movie places a much higher premium on how his jaw-line is lit than whether the dialogue actually makes sense. It’s right to do so, because it knows who’s watching. He looks perfect. I’m not being facetious: this is all that a good percentage of the audience need to hear.

“The appeal of Stephenie Meyer’s series is not that mysterious. Heartache sells, sexy vampires are on trend, and there’s something about the unattainability of Pattinson’s Edward Cullen (and by extension, R.Pattz himself) which gives his fans the sense of ownership they demand. They want to be his human girlfriend Bella (Kristen Stewart), but the deal is complex. Mortality is going to get in the way, sooner or later.

“….For the non-Robsessed, connecting with the mythology here can be oddly trying. It’s a pick ‘n’ mix of watered-down fantasy concepts in chalk-white emo styling. Chris Weitz, taking over directing duties after Catherine Hardwicke’s departure, allows the movie to sag badly in the middle, but he does have a professional touch with the actors. Stewart, who shined earlier this year in Adventureland, is becoming a more rounded actress, reliant less on looking constantly pained. And Pattinson is intriguingly remote. You can’t imagine anyone else’s Edward Cullen, because there’s something not quite healthy about him which works for the role. When he bears his torso — I expect you could hear the adolescent screams from space — it’s comparatively un-buff, as befits a 108-year-old vampire who doesn’t eat. Werewolves must work out more.”

Lia Nicholls of Britain’s The Sun says the film “opens with Bella Swan, played by Kristen Stewart, facing her biggest fear – growing old while her true love stays looking young and gorgeous.

“She sees who she thinks is her gran, but it is her as an old lady. Edward kisses her wrinkly hand but luckily for Bella, having a much younger toyboy was just a bad dream – her first of many annoying nightmares. You are led to believe the hopelessly in love couple are going to live happily ever after until the pale-faced immortal dumps her.”

Nicholls concludes that “true Twilight fans will be left craving the next installment. Seeing as it has already broken the record for advance-ticket orders…prepare to become Rob-sessed.”

Lautner, 17, recently insisted his shirtless scenes in New Moon — which hits theaters Friday — aren’t purely gratuitous.

“There’s definitely reasons behind it for the film,” the buffed up star told E! News.

“When we transform, we don’t have clothes, we have to go find our clothes. And we’re hot, we’re 108 degrees. So it’s not like we’re randomly taking our shirts off for no reason.”

Have you seen New Moon yet?!!??

Tags: twilight