The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 DVD review

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