Thanks everyone – I have not much recollection of the book because really reading it once was more than enough.

Oops I think I said Michael Sheen was Marcus – I meant Aro. Thanks again Steph. Obviously I’m so not a twihard LOL.

LOL Maria, me too – once was enough. I was confused with the dream too – honestly I don’t really remember them in the book either – well not clearly. We really do show that we’re not Twihards haha.

Yes Maria, I agree with you totally that Rob was responsible directly or indirectly for the other two lifting their game. Reflecting on what I’ve said I believe that Rob is directly responsible for the movie’s success. In all honestly, though I believe the others did a good job with what they had, if Rob hadn’t been Edward I don’t think anyone else could have pulled off the success they all enjoy. And full credit to Rob for having to make the impossible possible. Out of all the actors involved he had to deal with the most complex character, the most complex emotions and the most difficult situations. Rob delivered his role ruthelessly and I have no qualms saying that he was directly responsible its success.

HAHA @Steph yes I am going again too … to check of course

@Thanks Silvie because we have been saying that for years. In fact it’s the one thing the critics have also been saying even though they don’t like the movie. Rob truly saved this franchise. I don’t believe anyone else could have brought us a better Edward and although he wasn’t the star vehicle to begin with, he definitely is the star of these movies now. I think the franchise may have flopped if it wasn’t for Rob. Yes yes I know that will piss off some of the twifans when I say that, but you just have to look at the box office success outside of Twi and only Rob has truly had it to date – so what does that tell you.

Exactly!!!!!The franchise certainly struck GOLD when Rob came along even though they don’t want to admit it. I sometimes sense tall poppy syndrome.

*standing while doing the slow clap*

I was so sure I was going to be the only one left standing that hadn’t seen BD and was still convinced I wasn’t going to like it. I thought you guys (Maria, Michelle and Lisa) had lost your marbles coming back and saying it was good. I was like naaa, who are these people. So I’ve kept out of the discussion thread (will read comments later) to ensure I have/had no pre conceived ideas, as well as trying to leave behind my memory of how the book unfolded (that’s a tough one though) and whalla, I have to say that in seeing it today, I am dumfounded as to how much I actually enjoyed it. Don’t get me wrong, there were flaws, but I don’t want to focus on those at the moment because the good far out weighed the niggly bits. I even overlooked the bad hair and makeup because the feel was too busy grabbing my attention.

I believe there are two things that saved this movie. Rob’s portrayal of Edward (BANG ON BEST EDWARD) and Bill Condon’s ability to prove himself a masterful magician. He managed to get things across that could have been done very badly, but not in this installment of the saga. He took an inconsistent, bizarre and crappy piece of story telling and turned it into something watchable – dare I say enjoyable. It totally flowed and there wasn’t too much clutter – just enough of everyone else so I didn’t need to ceiling watch and an abundance of Edward (finally).
I must also commend the powers that be (probably Bill again – see how we are on a first name basis now) for sticking to their guns in going cloak and dagger. What do I mean? Ok I loved the fact that they were making out like they were giving everything away in the trailers and spoilers released (well that was my perception), when in actual fact they were keeping the surprises well guarded and as the movie unfolded, made for many a pleasant surprise. And here I’ve been whinging for the past months that they were showing us the best parts *yawn yawn*, when in fact they were distracting us while keeping the best stuff under wraps. So I take my bitching back about the teasers and how the rest of the movie was going to be like sticking needles in my eyes. Well played and yes, I stand corrected – your strategy worked.

I loved that they brought back some of the old feel, flash backs and especially thrilled to have Carter Burwell’s music take me back to my happy place.
OMG Edward’s back story (yes in both respects *giggles*), can I get a hallelujah or what! *puuuurrrrrrrr* and Amen.
And other life altering moments like Rob’s body (HELLO), he gave us the sundies, some gentle bed cracking, spectacular back shots, no need to get into details about how well that fitness regime worked out for you Rob [insert more purring] and then we get the smiles and laughter. Apart from all the deep stuff, how freaking awesome was Rob as Edward! My god, Rob interpreting all Edward’s thought processes and feelings and it was evident that Rob was actually into this one as opposed to Eclipse. I’m floored and am looking forward to watching this Eddie again … and again and again and again …

I am still processing so will leave this for now – am all over the place and can’t get things down fast enough so am looking forward to seeing what you all thought – whether you hated, loved or are 50/50 about it or what.

It was interesting seeing peoples reactions when we were leaving the cinema, mostly positive remarks and some people saying it was the best one so far. Like I said before, it wasn’t perfect but it certainly was full of the good stuff. I can’t remember why I was laughing a lot at the beginning, but I was laughing and somewhere along the way, my eyes may of become stingy, but where exactly, at what point? I can’t remember. I think it had either something to do with Charlie or when Bella was flashing back over her life or something. When I see it again this Thursday I’ll probably remember. lol

side note: I think I just whaffled on a whole lot about nothing.

I should have just said I enjoyed Bill’s interpretation and Rob’s awesome portrayal as Edward. hahaha

Very clever with the CGI stuff and the way we got the understanding of what was happening with the venom as opposed to getting a dialogue explaining what was going on. I better stop now because more whaffle is starting to seep through.

p.s. I can usually tell when a story is interpreted well on screen by taking someone along who hasn’t read the book. This time around there were only a few things I needed to explain and it was mostly evolving around the wolf stuff, so not really a big deal for me. The last two movies however, took me hours to get across.

p.s. I agree Maria – am hoping that Rob’s onscreen time in BD pt 2 isn’t diluted by all the visitors that come to Forks to play with the Volturi.

Love reading all your comments, am amazed the majority is quite positive. Thumbs up Bill.

and p.s. @Vicky, I don’t think we’ll ever build that bridge when it comes to Eclipse. Sad but true.

ok so when do we get the dvd?

YES, please do not let all those annoying extras take all of Rob’s screen time in part two *glares*

LOL Vertigo, *nods* re: DVD. Want it now!

After watching BD last night I’ve hardly slept a wink. My mind keeps looping through images of Rob’s backstory (sheer brilliance), the kiss to Flightless Bird (thank you Bill for saluting Catherine), the gorgeous way Rob brings himself to Edward in the ‘nightie’ teaser scene (oh god I died right there), the Edward and Bella tenderly caressing on the bed scene (Bella’s reflection over the previous night’s activities), Edwards’ linguistics, Edward’s control of the dire pregnancy situation, Edward’s anger that Bella didn’t include him on the life threatening situation he is faced with, Edward hearing the baby for the first time and their adorable moment on the couch, Edward’s desperation to save Bella. Oh god the birth!!
I saw this screening with two very close girlfriends we are all huge Rob fans (since the Cedric days). All three of us were holding our breath during the birth. We were all reduced to tears during the scene when Edward hears the baby. A beautiful tender moment between Bella and Edward’s – a throw back again to the tenderness that Catherine so richly conveyed in Twilight.
Rob was mesmerising in this portrayal of Edward. I can’t help but blow an air kiss to Bill Condon I could feel and see the results of their collaboration on Edward’s character development. We all thought the lead performances brought new depths of emotion to their characters. Kristen was superb she is one talented young woman. I felt Rob and Kristen’s on screen chemistry more than ever – perhaps ever so in that touching scene on the couch hearing baby for the first – I really can’t get past that.
Bill Condon really has presented an unforgettable cinematic experience from might I say difficult source material.
I’m just hoping Bill will allow us to savour the tender scenes ie between Edward, Bella and Reneesme as a new young family in BD II and not focus too much on the activities on the other clans. For me that’s the heart of the story is the formation of this love that then unifies outsiders together.
Oh god I simply can’t wait to see Rob’s portrayal of Georges in Bel Ami and likewise Eric, Cosmopolis.

Went to see it last night with my two sisters in Gold Class as well. It’s interesting because my older sister had read the whole series whilst my younger sister had only read halfway through NM. She hadn’t even bothered to watch Eclipse! I didn’t end uo having to explain anything to her though which was good.

Just agreeing with majority consensus here- Rob as Edward was brilliant. He looked amazing and the scene where he gets angry with Bella- phwoar. Just loved it.

I particularly enjoyed the flashback sequence and also the nightmare at the wedding sequence. Thought it was quite camp and I quite liked it. My older sister remarked that it reminded her of ‘Dexter’ and I agreed. I liked those quick jump cuts to possible scenarios- it brought something unique to the film.

OH! and that line about Edward not really being a virgin the night before the wedding took my surprise. Self-awareness of the series perhaps?

Sex scene- underwhelming but I’ll take what I can get at this point. I’m counting on Bel Ami and Cosmopolis to up the ante in this area. Think the problem was that every single interview had hyped it up too much and in the end I was left sitting there going ‘that’s it?’. Did anyone else notice Bella’s nipple flash as well? lmao
Overall, wedding and honeymoon were spot on.
My other favourite scene was when Edward hears Renesmee for the first time. I had a smile on my face that whole time. Gahhh…

Birth scene and Bella’s death were done pretty well but I didn’t cry at all (not that I expected myself to). I think it’s because I knew that there is a happy ending afterall.

So, overall, it’s a good film but not amazing. I gave it a 3/5.

Lol @Annie re the nipple – I can honestly say I could not take my eyes off of Rob’s back, biceps, pecs *giggles*

I knew the sex scene would be talked up – so yeah agree with you – in fact pretty much about everything

Not amazing but way better than what I was honestly expecting but more importantly bring on Georges and Eric

@Maria oh trust me I was trying to focus on Robert but ‘the flash’ took me by surprise. *shakes head*