Film File - Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Though it is not quite as big as the 'Harry Potter' franchise, the 'Twilight' saga has become one of the biggest movie hits of the past decade. Proving that fangs and love can actually make for a fine romance, this teen scene terror looks like a success that could run and run. In 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse', the third chapter in author Stephenie Meyer's phenomenally successful series, Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and her friendship with Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) - knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life. As the rest of her school celebrates graduation, Beth has to cope with Edward's compromise that she marry him before he agrees to be the one to change her into a vampire, and the consequences that these choices will bring to herself, her family, and her friends. Elsewhere, a big showdown is coming in the shape of the Newborn Army - a generation of newly turned vampires whose strength and bloodlust is at its greatest in the first months of supernatural life. It remains to be seen whether they are a tool of Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard) in her single-minded pursuit of vengeance, or of the all-powerful Volturi, making sure that Bella follows through on her intention to become immortal. Led by Riley (Xavier Samuel), this vampire army force makes its way towards Forks and forces the Cullens and Wolf Pack to put aside their own conflict to form an alliance for the protection of Bella and the larger community. In the process, Bella learns more about the secret history of the Quileute tribe, and the origins of Jasper and Rosalie, a knowledge that will help her understand the bonds of the wolves, and her love for Jacob Black. With more of the same action, love and passion that made the two previous movie outings, 'Twilight' and 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', smash hits worldwide, this third outing continues the internationally popular vampire story. In less than five years, Stephenie Meyer has become a worldwide publishing phenomenon, with the translation rights for her four Twilight novels marketed in 50 countries and 100 million copies have been sold worldwide. Her books have been on the bestseller list for over 142 weeks, and counting. Founded on the trials of 17-year-old Bella Swan who moves to the small town of Forks, Washington, she becomes drawn to the reluctant Edward and his family of vampires. To complicate matters, Bella's best friend, Jacob Black, is a werewolf designed solely to kill vampires. The film franchise has grossed over $1.1 billion in worldwide box office ticket sales to date. Following the rebellious Bella and her true teen sensibilities, this 'Twilight' is well above its bland and predictable predecessor. The fourth in the series, 'Breaking Dawn', is already in production and will be made into two films - borrowing an angle from 'Harry Potter'. Director David Slade brings an air of dread right from the opening scenes, and the promise of much more blood and action than the second film. While Victoria's army of newborns terrorises Seattle before turning their sights on Falls, the core of the story again orbits the love triangle of Edward, Bella and Jacob. Edward, the kind of vampire your mother would like, will not have sex or any bloodsucking with Bella until they're married. "Marry me," he demands. "Change me," she replies. Just like the Potter kids, the leads in 'Twilight' are well accustomed to each other now, and the bubbling chemistry between Pattinson and Stewart gets hotter in every scene - though, if female shrieks are anything to go by, Jacob is the real crowd pleaser... a loser in love always makes an attractive proposition.