New Moon Review Round-Up

New Moon just opened, and the reviews are in agreement—it’s a film for the fans, not for the critics. Luckily for Summit Entertainment, Twilight is a pop culture phenomenon that’s completely critic-proof. Not even Star Wars or Lord of the Rings devotees secured their seats this aggressively. The first installment grossed $350 million worldwide and judging by the enthusiastic fan response, New Moon will earn much more.

Check out the best and worst of New Moon…

Reviewers don’t like it:

• The Twilight Saga’s second installment may satisfy hardcore fans of the series, but outsiders are likely to be turned off by its slow pace, relentlessly downcast tone, and excessive length.- Rotten Tomatoes
• So expect this film to satisfy its fans. Everybody else, get ready for a bizarre soap opera/pageant, consisting of a succession of static scenes with characters loping into the frame to announce exactly what they’re thinking. -SF Chronicle
• New Moon, the film version, does nothing to add depth to a shallow tale. – USA Today
• Since they know it all and we know all, sitting through this experience is like driving a pickup in low gear though a sullen sea of Brylcreem. – Chicago Sun-Times

Fans love it and bought tickets months in advance:

• Hello. It’s New Moon!” said Medina (a 20 year old), while tugging on her black shirt emblazoned with Edward Cullen’s image. “It’s my favorite book from the series. I totally relate to the way Bella felt when Edward left. It’s heartbreaking. If I could have bought the tickets last year, I would have.” – LA Times

• “It was amazing,” said Lamb, a student at Jordan David Starr Junior High in Burbank. “The scene toward the end with Bella and Edward — oh, my God. I can’t wait to see it again. And again.” – LA Times

Bella is the “Belle of the ball”:

• Stewart is the heart and soul of the film…She gives both weight and depth to dialogue that would sound like typical chick-lit blather in the mouth of a less engaging actress, and she makes Bella’s psychological wounds seem like the real deal. – Variety
• Kristen Stewart is a little twitchy but her antics and moody moping are perfectly appropriate to the troubled-teen character. – New Jersey Star-Ledger.
• Stewart’s Bella remains a sturdy, empathetic anchor, and if they were ever to give a best supporting nomination for hair gel, Pattinson’s particular brand would be a shoo-in. – The Hollywood Reporter

Chris Weitz’s direction is an improvement from Hardwicke:

• Perhaps the most notable difference between Twilight and New Moon — aside from Taylor Lautner’s new muscles — is the look and style of the film. Director Chris Weitz (The Golden Compass) has crafted a film with visual flair and polish, particularly in the action sequences of werewolves vs. vampires. – USA Today
• Fortunately, he is more sparing with the tight close-ups and swirling shots that typified Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke’s dizzying style. – MTV.com
• Given that he’s directed both the more intimate character-driven About a Boy and the fantastical The Golden Compass, incoming director Weitz is a smart choice for the material. – The Hollywood Reporter

If you want to read what we had to say about the movie, check out our full New Moon Movie Review.