THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE (USA 2010) ***
Directed by David Slade

The third in the Stephenie Meyer novels of the Twilight Saga series films, ECLIPSE has the biggest opening in the number o theatres in motion picture history.  Ironically, the storyline of the film’s plot could arguably be the shortest.  Heroine has to decide between her two lovers amidst a fight between two rival vampire gangs.

ECLIPSE is the ultimate chick flick.  Who would not want two hot guys hovering over you, declaring their love to you at all times?  Would you choose the buffed up wolfman or the vampire who wears make up?  Judging from the audience’s reaction at the film’s promo screening, it is the latter.  When Jacob the werewolf (Taylor Lautner) first appears shirtless displaying his 6-pack abs, the woo’s and ah’s from the female audience fill the auditorium.  When Jacob tells Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) the vampire that he is hotter than him (vampires are also cold blooded), the audience cheers on.)

It all begins, story-wise, as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire (Victoria) continues her quest for revenge.  In the midst of it all, heroine Bella (Kristen Stewart) is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob—knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the struggle between vampire and werewolf.  It turns out that the newly born vampires are responsible and this results in a showdown between Cullen’s vampires and the reluctant wolfman allies.

The plot is relatively straight forward and new twilight director David Slade plays it right.  The long dialogue scenes teases with romance – will you marry me?  Will you now marry me? – with lots of male enmity occurring between the vampire and the wolfman suitors.  The climatic action sequences are surprisingly well- executed and more violent than expected.  Slade has proven his mettle with 30 DAYS OF NIGHT, another vampire flick set in the North Pole.

ECLIPSE may not be the best summer picture, but the filmmakers know what their target audience wants (romance, hard bodies, sexiness) and the film delivers!  Twilight fans will not complain!