Breaking Dawn Part 2 Movie experience

I went to see the TWS marathon starting at noon on Thursday 15 November 2012. The line started forming about 9am. I got there closer to 10am. Chatted with folks standing or sitting around in the line. Had my picture taken in front of the BD2 stand up display in the theatre lobby. I wore my Twilight Mom workout slacks, TWM necklace, silver wolf earrings and BD1 T-shirt and silk thermals to keep warm - really glad I did, they were needed.

They started letting us into theatre about 1045hr. We got pink wrist bands and a nice lanyard as we went in. The lanyard had a placard with TWS Marathon BD2 15 Nov 2012 on one side and small images of all the movie posters on the other. Nice. I found a seat in very back row in corner next to projection outcrop, so could stand up if necessary during film. They did not check bags to confiscate outside food.

The same “First Look” was shown before each movie – boring after the first time.

Shown before each film was a short clip of Nikki Reed, Jackson Rathbone and Elizabeth Reaser talking about their Twilight experiences associated with each film. Nikki was really intense, Jackson really laid back, Liz the ‘interviewer’.

There was about 15 minutes between end of credits and start of “First Look” which gave us about 30 minutes between films.

I had a good time, chatting with neighbors off/on between films and just enjoying the films again. It was nice to see all on the big screen for one last time. There was about 45 minutes between BD1 and BD 2 – previews before BD2 started at 2200hrs which did not include The Host, did include The Hobbit and Mortal Instruments.

If you have not yet seen the movie and want to remain spoiler free, read no further. If you have seen it and really enjoyed and liked it and don’t want even a sprinkle of rain on your happy parade, read no further. I have already been hit up side of head figuratively for sharing why I have a different opinion when it wasn’t wanted. I hope my apology for that sharing will be accepted. From the comments that I’ve read on Twilight Lexicon about the movie, my opinion is a very small minority opinion.

Details about the movie and comparison to the book, some good, some not so good. My general disappointment level is decreasing as time passes. Posted today, Monday 19 Nov, on Fanfiction.net is a story that gives an acceptable explanation for movie/book reconciliation that has further decreased my disappointment level  by Camilla10 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8716970/1/Seeing-the-Wolves.

BD2 movie was good. I enjoyed it overall. The special effects were good; young Renesmee maybe was a little strange. Bella’s first hunt was terrific. The difference between book and movie is acceptable for better visual effect. Her meeting Renesmee the first time was good. The differences between book and movie again are acceptable for the visual effect – her dragging Jacob out by neck almost better than book.

The trip to cottage and vampire sex was well done.

The scene where Jacob reveals his secret to Charlie was ok. Why have the wolf snarling as appear? Yes, anger is the emotion that triggers the shape shifting, but Jacob was suppose to be very controlled. Eventually they did have the Jacob-wolf lay down at Charlie’s feet.

The scene teaching Bella to appear more human like was good. Edward remarked about Bella feeling like hot poker iron down her throat to Jacob. I don’t recall seeing his remorse at putting Belle in pain with Charlie’s visit. Then Charlie’s visit – Big mistake in movie was having everyone abandon Bella while visit with Charlie alone. Gross over confidence in her control. If her thirst had overcome her, no one would have gotten to her in time. Alice would not have had warning to help prevent disaster. In a Twilight Lexicon review it is stated that she couldn’t think of things missing from book to movie. How could she not remember how painful and how nervous Bella was and how supportive her Cullen family was by staying there during her visit with Charlie? Instead they discount her nervousness and show their support by leaving her alone like Edward did in New Moon? Would it have been so difficult to have had Edward at least stay with her?

This scene threw me out of the ‘suspend disbelief for movie’ mode and brought back all the skepticism I had about this movie and the battle scene resolution, still to come. For those that have only seen the movies, this is likely not a big deal as Bella’s concern about seeing Charlie was not expressed in movie.

The arm wrestling scene was good. Missed Renesmee being there and laughing. Bella seeing herself in sun first time was ok. Would have liked it to been closer to book with her holding Renesmee and standing next to Edward as he sparkles too – missed that smoldering gaze between them. 

It took Bella a while after Alice and Jasper left to find the second message Alice left specifically for her. The J Jenks scene was good and the difference was acceptable.

I did not like Edward, Bella, Jacob and Renesmee going to Alaska.  No explanation was given as to why they left to get the Denali clan. Who was home to welcome other visitors and nomads? Scene was well done, just could have been done at the Cullen home to be closer to book and even make sense within context of movie.

Benjamin making water dance was nice. You could tell that there was some tension already between Amun and Benjamin. Showing Zafrina’s power was good. Kate’s showing Garrett her power was great. Alister’s comments were well placed.

Our first look of the Romanians was different from book and kind of fun. It could have happened as that scene in movie takes place before they show up in book. Vlad and Stef were part of the great comedic relief in the movie. Jacob was also part of comedic relief with some really good snarky lines.

Loved the ‘Redcoats are coming. Redcoats are coming’ line from Garrett.

Liked the Romanians saying the Volturi will not give up.

The way they get Charlie out of the area was nice and maybe better than the book.

The scene where Bella lowers her shield to Edward did not take place until Springtime in the movie, kind of a too long delay. It was very nicely done as a tribute to all the films. Seeing all the movies together noticed it was also done while Bella burned. Taking place in the meadow was a nice way to bring back to beginning and the dream that started it all.

Now for the Cullen / Volturi confrontation. The cover of BD is a chess board with a red pawn and white queen – representing Bella’s journey. The cover and then Alice using the Merchant of Venice book as note paper foreshadow the fact that the confrontation is going to be between two mind readers and likely more courtroom drama than physical battle. Yes, there is a statement from Edward about how the battle would have gone if there had been a physical battle in the post confrontation wrap up, so the battle in the movie is not out of line with the book.

I was very disappointed in the book to movie reconciliation that TwilightLexicon had reported fit and was satisfactory. Those comments raised my hopes up that it would be ok. It wasn’t. My expectation had farther to fall after being raised, making the disappointment greater. In New Moon movie Alice states that she can’t see the wolves. Yet in BD2 the battle is her vision that she shares with Aro. The battle shows the wolves fighting and Jacob taking off with Renesmee, who she can’t see either though that is not stated in the movies that I recall. Jacob even fights and destroys a vampire chasing him with Renesmee on his back.  All this is Alice’s vision. NO! NO! NO!  Did everyone conveniently forget that Alice cannot see the wolves and Renesmee? Only saving grace was after the Bella / Charlie alone scene I was already out of the ‘suspend disbelief for movie’ mode.

If they had only shown the vampire on vampire fights, that would have been acceptable for Alice’s vision. If they had shown the battle as someone’s nightmare or fearful thoughts, that would have been acceptable. If I can come up with those ideas, how is it that the much more creative people involved in making the movie couldn’t? If they did, then why did they not go that route instead of the very wrong Alice vision? Easy and convenient and less expensive?  Why could SM, BC, or MR not have provided Camilla's acceptable explanation as part of the movie?  Thank you Camilla!

Characters die in her vision on both sides. Volturi – all the big wigs. Cullens - one gasp surprise starts it all and lots after. It was well done. Just the wrong reconciliation!

Bella’s shield effect was nicely done, but it was not played as the important factor that it was in the book C/V confrontation resolution. Instead it was Alice’s vision that saves the day and gives Aro reason to retreat, Alice becomes the queen not Bella. So not right! And Alice in the movie knows it…I’d like to wipe the smug smile off of her face at the end – and I like the Alice character and Ashley Greene playing her.

Overall I enjoyed it. Overall I liked it. Still I am very disappointed in it. The parts that are wrong are big parts of the book saga and an important part of Bella’s journey. Maybe they are not so important or maybe they fit and make sense for someone that has not read the books. I know that books are not going to translate to movie well. I accept that and all the changes made in the previous TWS movies. For me these two scenes are too big and too important to the overall saga; and could have been done to fit the book more closely without lot of effort.

It could have been worse. The battle could have been real and there could have been real character death during that or some other time. But it could have been better so easily. For me the movies ended on a flat note, not a satisfactory note at all.

In seeing all the movies together, I was reminded there was a fight in NM movie that  wasn’t in the book, the fight in Eclipse movie between Edward and Victoria went way different than what was in the book, there was a fight in BD1 that wasn’t in the book. Why all those fight scenes? To satisfy Hollywood box office needs? At least they were not a major part of movie and did not change Bella’s journey as the battle being Alice’s vision did in BD2.

As stated earlier, my level of disappointment is decreasing as time passes. I think that with these major changes this second part will remain my least favorite of the movies. It would be nice to get an answer from Stephenie Meyer and / or Bill Condon as to why they went with Alice’s vision.

The actual ending of the movie and the credits were a wonderful way to wrap up the TWS movies. 

Story Recommendation: TWS from Alice by Nostalgicmiss

Alice and Bella are best friends. This recommendation is dedicated to my best friend, CJ. She prereads most of my posts here. She comments on them too. We have been supportive of each other for long time now -- hopefully in a well balanced way. 

I came across these three Alice’s point of view stories, by Nostalgicmiss, awhile ago and just recently finished reading them. They were written before the book Breaking Dawn was released back in 2008.  She posted a chapter nearly on a daily basis. There are missing scenes galore. The characters are canon. The rating is T and all are complete.

The Twilight version, Through the Eyes of Alice Cullen, was Nostalgicmiss’ first fan fiction. The other stories right after that. She did not have a beta and her grammar is not good in spots – especially the various verb tenses for sit and stand. There are more than a few typos. She mentions this in her profile, so I read being forewarned. In spite of the errors, I found the time spent reading enjoyable. Reading the series from another character’s point of view is a nice way to go through the series without reading the original again.

Nostalgicmiss has some more recent work that is M rated and I likely won’t read them. There is one more T rated story about Nessie that I am currently reading and she mentions finding a beta. I am looking forward to less errors in that story and see how she does with more original material.

Hopefully you can look past the errors and read the stories from best friend Alice.

Thank you, CJ for all your support and being my best friend.

Author’s FFn profile : http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1544699/Nostalgicmiss

This is the Twilight story through Alice's Eyes

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4188861/1/Through_the_Eyes_of_Alice_Cullen

Alice's Version of New Moon, her voyage of Self Discovery and the vision that changed everything.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4256119/1/Darkest_Night

Eclipse through Alice's Eyes. Alice's soon-to-be-sister and best friend is finally joining the family in every way, what on earth could get in the way?

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4305601/1/The_Dark_Side_of_Light

Author: Kayla Griffith aka Openhome

The next author I want to discuss is Kayla Griffith, aka Openhome.  She is an administrator for Ramblings and Thoughts / Twilight Fan Fiction and Art web site [link on the right side of this site]. She gave me my first break into fan fiction. I sent her my first Twilight related poems and asked if they were suitable for the site. The next thing I knew they were posted. Wow! Heady experience! She has encouraged me in other ways as well. My first fan letter was to her after I finished reading Singularity. I had posted regular reviews, but when finished reading that story I needed to send her a separate emailed letter as a fan. We have continued with occasional email exchanges.

Openhome is her fan fiction name. She has completed two books about Alice and Jasper and working on the last book. The first two were completed before the Illustrated Twilight Guide was published so the story does not agree with the new information found in the Guide. The first book, Singularity, is about Alice’s time from waking as a vampire until meeting Jasper, about 30 years. It was written in response to discussions with her daughters about what Alice was doing during those years of waiting. The story is an interesting character study of how one adapts to a new unexpected life and the challenges that life throws at you while waiting for fulfillment of a vision. Alice is searching for what / who she is and for home. She finds out things about her new self and learns about who she is through her trials and joys.  She is helped along the way by some human and vampire friends and some alone time of self reflection.

None of us are immortal vampires, but we can still relate to some of the experiences Alice has. Alice knows who she loves and the family she will eventually be a part of, but has to wait for those things to actually happen. So what does she do? Sit and mope or goes after life? What do we do when waiting for someone? She gets some disturbing news, what does she do? How do we react to bad news? She has human friends that die. She has vampire friends that need her help. She has choices to make. Some are not well thought out and not well executed. She learns. Reading Alice’s story prompted me to look at some of my decisions and how I’ve lived my life. It shed light on topics in ways that I hadn’t thought of. It has given me a different perspective to some topics. I appreciate this fresh look at things for my own self reflection time.

The second book, Coalescence, is about the time Alice and Jasper have together until about 7 years after joining the Cullen family. It is their journey of discovery of each other. It is their journey together as Alice supports Jasper as he learns to live off of animal blood.  The third book, Rogue, is more about Jasper finding peace after the life he led before finding Alice and the Cullens. There are elements of post traumatic stress disorder for Jasper in Coalescence and I think some final resolution to that will be in Rogue.  It is good to see this issue tackled in fiction as so many people today are dealing with it themselves or helping others deal with it in the real world.

In reading the Twilight Saga books, I’ve not understood why after nearly 50 years the lure of human blood was still so strong for Jasper. Reading Kayla’s stories helps explain that aspect of his character. Jasper is one of the minor characters that changes between beginning of Twilight and end of Breaking Dawn. The end of his change is mostly due to Bella and Nessie. Kayla is giving Jasper a fuller story of that change. That is the appeal for me of Kayla’s stories about Alice and Jasper, getting into their heads as to how and why they change. That also applies to her other stories, just not as detailed being shorter.

Kayla has also written other fan fiction stories – based on Twilight and other fan favorite books.  Those stories can be found through her profile page on R&T and FFn, links provided below. She has a blog about life and writing that shows off her sense of humor. There are at least two original novels that she is working at getting published.  The first is a PG13 romance called Casserole Committee where a town’s casserole committee interferes with the love life of two ladies – one divorced and one widowed. Results are funny and touching. I hope it is published soon so more people can enjoy the small town happenings and Kayla’s delightful and clean sense of humor. The second one is still undergoing final edits.

It is good to see a fan fiction author moving on to being paid for their work, even it means less fan fiction stories. Fan fiction can be purely for fun and self fulfillment or for fun and practice. It is exciting to watch as Kayla’s practice writing in someone else’s universe yields published original novels of romance without all the sex so prevalent in books today. I look forward to whatever else she may write.

Below are links to her fan fiction profiles, a blog entry on R&T and the final link is to her web blog.

http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1797881/Openhome

author profile

http://www.ramblingsandthoughts.com/twilight/viewuser.php?uid=6365

author profile

http://www.ramblingsandthoughts.com/blog/

Tells how peanut butter and cat paws got her to write fan fiction.

http://kaylagriffith.net/

The Comfort of Chaos

Poem: Alice

Alice

By abbyweyr May 2011

Based on Singularity by Openhome

Alice woke up all alone

Not knowing who or what

She was or now is.

She had a vision of a

Blonde haired man,

Knew he was her love.

She had another vision of a

Family, first two, then three

Then one more and one final one.

That family was another goal;

But first had to find the

Blonde haired man, Jasper.

She fed on instinct

Not knowing how or why;

Not liking what she saw after.

Found an empty school,

Learned her letters, numbers

Geography and history.

Decided to follow example

From the family to feed on animals,

So that she could join that family.

As wandering alone she

Found a couple to

Explain what she was

A vampire.

Found work as seamstress

For a nearly blind couple.

She lived in church belfry.

Then the husband died;

Wife returned to New York

To live with her sister.

Alice went with her;

And there began

Her lessons in finances.

While working the shady side

Of the money business

She was found by the

Local vampires.

She learned more about

Money and fashion

And being a vampire.

Visions of the blonde haired man

Knew eventually find and love him

And together join the family of five.

There were parties to attend

And to plan

And money to make grow.

Then vision of blonde haired man

Came, but he was with another.

Oh, such pain for Alice.

She became a shell.

She moved the shell around

Traveling with friends as if normal.

A friend eventually broke

The shell and she learned

More about being a vampire.

Alice returned to America.

While waiting to meet Jasper

She went to college.

Found a human friend

With husband away at war

Until dreaded news arrived.

She helped her friend through

The grieving time until

She found another to love and marry.

That is when Alice found

The place where she was

To meet Jasper.

The visions were clearer.

The time must be close.

How to have patience?

She waited at the diner

Until the day arrived and

Jasper walked through the door.

They left together in the rain,

To discover each other

And the life to live together.