The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 DVD review

By Alexandra Heilbron on February 9, 2012 | 24 Comments


The fourth movie in the Twilight saga, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1, is based on the first part of the last novel in the series. Because the book is so long, the studio decided to break it down into two movies, similar to what was done with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Although there were complaints about this, many fans are thrilled that they get not one, but two movies, and they also get more of the story — without cutting important parts that were in the book.

Finally, fans get the wedding they’ve been longing for — Bella has agreed to marry Edward despite her young age and although she has a dream that their wedding turns into a nightmare, all goes well. Jacob even turns up to give Bella his best, but when he finds out she’s planning to consummate the marriage, he’s angry because he believes it will put her life in danger.

Their honeymoon is spent on the private Isle of Esme, where Edward can go out in the sun, despite his sparkling skin. Although there are slight drawbacks to consummation — for instance, Bella has bruises (though she doesn’t notice them until Edward gloomily points them out), there are feathers everywhere (Edward bit them) and the bed has sustained some damage — Bella not only survives it, but is happier than she’s ever been. They have fun hiking, swimming, playing chess and just basically enjoying each other’s company before Bella suddenly gets sick. At first she thinks she’s eaten something bad. It soon becomes clear, however, that against all odds, she’s carrying Edward’s child, and the fetus is growing faster than can be imagined.

The couple hurry home so Carlisle can take care of her and figure out how to proceed. Edward feels utterly helpless and completely responsible for what is happening. He both fears and hates the fetus, whom he believes will eventually kill Bella. He urges Bella to abort, but she refuses, having already bonded with her unborn child. When Jacob finds out what’s happened, he also tries to get her to agree to an abortion, but Bella’s stubbornness, even as she grows weaker, is not to be underestimated. Even worse, when the wolf pack finds out what’s going on, they want to kill the baby.

The special effects in this movie are incredible. The Making of Documentary on the special features disc shows exactly how they were able to make Bella shrink to ressemble a victim of anorexia, with dark circles under her eyes as the baby drains her resources. As you watch how they’ve managed to take up to 30 pounds off of her frame, it shows the possibility that in the future, actors (such as Renée Zellweger, who had to gain 30 pounds to play the title role in Bridget Jones’s Diary) won’t have to gain or lose weight in order to play roles.

With each movie, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson further embody the roles that they’ve come to be identified with. Their relationship in the movie is clearly one of soulmates who love each other completely, despite the fact that they disagree regarding the pregnancy. Pattinson in particular has allowed his character immense growth — from a brooding, dark character to a man who has found the girl of his dreams and the happiness he’s longed for but never believed he would find.

The decision as to where to split the book must have been difficult, but the filmmakers have chosen a perfect spot to leave viewers hanging as the question of whether Bella lives or dies is answered — but so many more remain.

Extras on the DVD include a detailed 6-part “MAKING OF” DOCUMENTARY, which shows that it’s not always fun to make a movie. For instance, the crew is stuck on an island during a storm with no provisions; Pattinson and Stewart visibly shiver while doing a swimming scene in extremely cold water; and it’s so cold during the wedding scene that you can the actors’ breaths. 

Bella and Edward’s personal “WEDDING VIDEO” comes complete with well wishes from family and friends and there’s a glimpse into JACOB’S DESTINY. EDWARD FAST FORWARD and JACOB FAST FORWARD are viewings of the movie that visibly fast forward through the scenes that don’t feature Edward or Jacob, depending on which one you’re watching. There’s also an audio commentary by director Bill Condon which is interesting, but it’s disappointing that Pattinson and Stewart, who gave hysterically funny commentaries on the first (Twilight) and third (Eclipse) DVDs, weren’t asked to do the same on this one. It would have been interesting to hear their opinions of the film and their versions of what went on behind the scenes. Hopefully, that will be offered on the Breaking Dawn – Part 2 DVD. ~Alexandra Heilbron



Comments & Discussion

  1. Nobody Important • February 9, 2012 @ 12:32 PM

    ..Here’s my review…
    ..
    ..
    ..ready?
    ..
    ..
    .. IT SUCKS!!!!

  2. Malorie • February 9, 2012 @ 2:57 PM

    As Breaking Dawn my favorite book out of the whole series I wanted to say … I wasnt totally disappointed on the movie, but would have to say I would have loved to have seen the part when Bella starts getting sick and Edward tries to care for her in the bathroom, not knowing she was pregant a side to have seen Edward.. overall the movie was great.. looking forward to seeking part 2 as a fan I shall be there to see it many times over as I can.. love how Bill C have brought the book to life… part cant wait to see the first hunt of Bella and Edward together.. =)

  3. Nobody Important • February 9, 2012 @ 3:47 PM

    blahblahblah. who cares.

    Twilight is one of the worst franchises in the history of film making. It appeals to tweens and desperate women with no sense/ understanding of romance or appreciation for well written science-fiction.

    Vampires that walk around in the daylight, get married, and have children? lol, yeah right.

  4. Missy • February 9, 2012 @ 5:03 PM

    Now that we’ve had the opinion of some cranky old fart who obviously doesn’t care for romantic movies (Nobody Important) and probably doesn’t know how to attract women, I’d like to say I cannot wait for this DVD to come out this Saturday!!!!!! BTW, my boyfriend likes these movies too, he’s watched them all with me!!

  5. Nobody Important • February 9, 2012 @ 7:12 PM

    Twilight is about as romantic as Battlefield Earth, and your boyfriend watched the movies with you because a) he lacks testicles/ has low testosterone b) he watched the movies to humor you (if he ever expects to have sex with you again).

    Anywho, I always get a kick out of Twilight fans… they’ll go to great effort to defend a franchise that they know – deep down inside – sucks.

  6. DownTown Bride • February 10, 2012 @ 2:02 AM

    I loved this movie in theatres and I can’t wait for Part 2 but in the meantime, I’m going to buy this DVD and watch it over and over again until the next one comes out! The making of documentary sounds really interesting.

  7. Nobody Important • February 10, 2012 @ 7:06 AM

    Twilight is about as romantic as Battlefield Earth, and your boyfriend watched the movies with you because a) he has low testosterone b) he was humoring you (if he ever expects to get any lovin from you again).

    Anywho, I always get a kick out of Twilight fans”¦ they”™ll go to great lengthd to defend a franchise that they know ”“ deep down inside ”“ sucks… SUCKS, HAH!! oh I get it now. Since the vampires don’t suck (like conventional vampires) the writers decided to make the show suck instead.

    nm, carry on watching your sucky series with your effeminate bf.

  8. Missy • February 10, 2012 @ 9:33 AM

    No need to repeat yourself, Nobody! Ha ha, I love your comments about my boyfriend, you made me lol! Actually, he says he’s secure enough in his masculinity to admit he likes romantic movies. Having said that, he likes Twilight movies enough to watch them with me but I definitely like them more than he does. He’s looking forward to seeing The Vow this weekend though! And Nobody, even if my bf says he likes the Twilight movies only because he wants loving from me, it works!! He gets plenty of loving and if you want loving from a woman, you might want to try the same strategy!

  9. Nobody Important • February 10, 2012 @ 9:52 AM

    My previous comment was awaiting moderation; I expected it to get deleted so I decided to repost it ”“ minus some of the flagged words of coarse.

    Getting back to your bf. Would you like to know who else is confident in their masculinity? PeeWee Herman, Richard Simmons and Screech . It”™s something for you ladies to think about next time your shell of a man claims to be masculine while watching that god-awful Twilight franchise.

    BTW, I found it interesting you tolerate your bf”™s lies in exchange for the occasional muffin treat. You’ve got yourself one solid relationship right there, so keep up the good work watching your shame-of-a-show with your shame-of-a-man.

  10. Alex • February 10, 2012 @ 10:10 AM

    Nobody….get some help for those anger issues. It’s just a movie…

  11. Moonbeam • February 10, 2012 @ 11:19 AM

    Our whole family has read the books (yes, husband too — who amused me because he would fall to sleep sometimes with a book in his hand — he couldn’t put them down). We went to see the midnight showing of the fourth movie. So we’re all looking forward to getting the DVD. The movie was a little slow in the middle, but it really brought the book to life.

    For the “NI” person who sounds very bitter toward Twilight fans – Those who have read and enjoyed the Twilight books understand its appeal more than those who are just judging it as an emotionless “franchise.”

    But I’m curious… do you hate comic book superhero fans similarly for their fandom, just because their favorite fictional characters may have been featured in less-than-Oscar-worthy films? For example, are all Fantastic Four fans “effeminate” and worthy of ridicule just because the FF movies weren’t stellar? I doubt it, because your vehement comments are clearly motivated by judgment of the fandom’s gender.

    Certainly you’re due your opinion, but if this level of bitterness is reserved only for a female-centered fandom and not also felt toward the many male-centered fandoms that have similar movies that you think “suck,” perhaps you should examine your own motivations for anger and the probable misogynist tendencies driving them.

  12. Someone • February 10, 2012 @ 11:41 AM

    Nobody Important: You should take a hint from Missy’s boyfriend. I bet he’s a lot less bitter than you are.

  13. Nobody Important • February 10, 2012 @ 12:00 PM

    I’m not bitter. Just smart enough to know what sucks. Deal with it.

  14. josh • February 10, 2012 @ 10:47 PM

    why dont you too get a room already

  15. Nobody Important • February 11, 2012 @ 7:49 AM

    I’m afraid it would never work out between us.

    I’m not a pasty-faced, glittery vampire whose clueless to any concept of vampire lore.
    She thinks Twilight’s comparable to Shakespeare’s theatre.

    …………………..
    Incidentally, I find this review parallels my distaste for the series

  16. Ashley • February 11, 2012 @ 5:23 PM

    Nobody. I believe you could possible be bitter because you sit around all day in a bean bag chair eating cheetos crying cause you can’t get a lady so you must bash any an every couple. If you don’t like the films fine. But don’t take it away from those who do.

  17. Nobody Important • February 11, 2012 @ 6:42 PM

    I have a comment awaiting moderation. It has a rather good link to a review that parallels my sentiments as to why I despise this series.

    Trivializing my comments might be comforting to allot of you twilight fans, but it doesn’t change the fact these books are morality bankrupt, and they show little respect towards a woman’s self worth. Twilight epitomizes a toxic romance, and Edward’s often one step away from a restraining order.

    I’m sure some of these concepts might be a tad high-brow to the twilight demographic, but it doesn’t change the fact that they’re prevalent throughout the series.

  18. alex rios • February 12, 2012 @ 12:22 AM

    i havent seen it but my friends say it’s cool cause they break the bed

  19. karina velazquez • February 12, 2012 @ 12:29 AM

    you say that just you donth like it but if you where to make a movie and everybody say your movie suck you did not like so that how people talk about u and to Nobody Important well if they cyberbullie you would not be happy that all most like u she/he sucks you would it like it and i havent seet and i wish i see it soon bye cyberbullie

  20. karina velazquez • February 12, 2012 @ 12:31 AM

    and you need to think after you speak

  21. karina velazquez • February 12, 2012 @ 12:32 AM

    youst be care about you say about oder people that how mcdougle speaks

  22. Nobody Important • February 12, 2012 @ 3:52 AM

    I’m sorry, would you care to try that again – in English this time. Please and thank you.

  23. denisesined • February 17, 2012 @ 4:21 PM

    I am glad to say I have and still do enjoy all the present up to date issues of this series.
    I wish people with nothing to say or negative stuff to say would just say it and then leave it alone. I don’t care if they do not like the movie but object to their continual prattle after their initial statements.
    I am looking forward too part 2.

  24. Candace • February 27, 2012 @ 2:10 PM

    This was very entertaining.. thanx. :)Serious slammin going on here LMAO..


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