The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1

Stephenie Meyer's fourth and final book in the bestselling Twilight YA franchise has been adapted (like the last Harry Potter novel) into a two-part film, directed by Bill Condon. In this opener, Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) marries vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), much to the dismay of shape-shifting werewolf Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner). After a lavish woodland ceremony, the newlyweds depart for a honeymoon on a secluded island near Rio de Janeiro, where—after a tempestuous night of lovemaking—Bella awakens with bruises on her body and soon discovers she's pregnant. Having a half-vampire/half-human baby is fraught with dire complications, but Bella is determined to deliver the child at any cost, even if it means her own life. Following a particularly gruesome blood-sipping and birthing sequence, Renesmee is born. To avert a fatal battle between werewolves and vampires, Jacob spiritually “imprints” the baby, becoming her lifelong protector. Feminists have criticized Meyer's socially conservative portrayal of teen sexuality, marriage, and pregnancy, but what's vividly conveyed here is the message of taking responsibility for one's choices—even strange ones like mating with the undead and transitioning into a vampire. Emaciated Stewart, brooding Pattinson, and hunky Lautner have acquired confidence, but they still lack the acting chops necessary to truly enliven this far-fetched melodramatic fantasy. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Bill Condon, a “Love, Death, and Birth: Filming” making-of documentary (87 min.), the behind-the-scenes featurettes “Edward & Bella's Personal Wedding Video” (8 min.) and “Jacob's Destiny” (7 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a disappointing fourth entry in the popular franchise.] (S. Granger)