editorial 1

This is my first article of six that I'm writing for my grad project. I know you all are probably very tired of hearing me talk about New Moon, and I'm sorry. But I do want your feedback! Please be honest; tell me if it's awful.

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“New Moon” impresses Meyer fans

The day that millions of Twilight enthusiasts had been waiting for had finally arrived. A year after the movie depiction of Stephenie Meyer’s first book, Twilight, had been released, the second book of the saga finally made its way to the silver screen. Movie theater staff members had been preparing for November 20, 2009 for weeks in hopes of patrons reaching far into the double digits. Salisbury, North Carolina’s Tinseltown had brought in extra help for the opening night, knowing that crazed fans could very possibly get out of hand. With lines reaching very near the end of the Tinseltown parking lot, managers and ushers tried their best to stay composed.

Among the chatter of all things Twilight, the definite feeling of excitement abounded from the crowds. As fans settled into their seats, the final and abrupt countdown began to the beginning of the long-awaited second installment of Meyer’s famous written journey. Yelps of excitement came in spurts across the theater as the words “new moon” shined across a black screen. Many viewers knew the basic synopsis of the story unfolding, but this didn’t prevent ecstatic reactions as Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) graced the screen. With a sharp opening of Stewart sprinting through the streets of Volterra, Italy, viewers knew that were in for a treat, well worth the expense of pre-reserved tickets.
Fans stayed intent as the story of Bella Swan’s deep and bitterly painful heartbreak was carried out in movie form, including highly mastered graphics of the wolf pack and returned perfection of depicting the Cullen family as pale-skinned and tawny-eyed vampires. The graphics of the movie made for awe struck viewers as the fights between the wolves and vampires shot across the screen in impressive doses of action.

Director Chris Weitz and screenplay writer Melissa Rosenberg beautifully created elements that made the story gut-wrenching, from Bella’s ear-piercing screams to the nail-biting dread of Edward exposing himself in the sunlight to provoke the Volturi, an ancient group of vampire rulers. Continuing on into the world of the Cullens, Swans, and the admired pack of Quileute wolves, fans were drawn into the story right until the very abrupt end that certainly left everyone in theaters hanging on Edward’s last words to Bella, “Marry me.”

The success of the premiere became the main topic in Hollywood chatter. Making its way to the third largest movie opening – almost ever – was definitely something for famous actors and directors to talk about. Another admirable aspect of the film’s success was the vast age range among viewers. Upon entering an auditorium housing the “New Moon” premiere, people of all kinds could be found, and from the acclaimed “Twi-Moms” in their early 40s to much younger enthusiasts, the variety of audiences brought even more respect to Meyer, Weitz, and Rosenberg. With the opening weekend drawing to a close, “New Moon” left viewers much to talk about until the movie premiere of the third book, Eclipse, which is expected to hit theaters in June of 2010.