Not that i was invited to a screening, or anything. But i did see it.
No, it wasn’t pirated. That would be wrong, and would piss off Steven Soderbergh, for whom i have boundless respect. But i have heard bootlegs are already turning up in certain parts of LA…which, while morally/legally questionable (at best), and definitely delivering a sub-standard viewing experience, should do absolutely nothing to negatively impact the movie’s projected $100 million plus opening weekend.
I loved Twilight. I loved Catherine Hardwicke-replacement Chris Weitz’ The Golden Compass. I didn’t really love New Moon. It’s not bad, just sort of inert; i understand that the story has to separate Bella and Edward for a lot of the movie, but it drags everything down. And Taylor Lautner is no Robert Pattinson. I did very much dig Michael Sheen (the alpha-werewolf Lucien in the Underworld series) showing up as one of the vampie elite Volturi, though.
tangent: Checking imdb reveals there’s a 4th Underworld in development, and scheduled for release January 21, 2011. Apparently this one will focus again on Kate Beckinsale’s Selene, which is fine…but i really liked Rhona Mitra in the last one. Yeah, i know it might be problematic for her character to return, but it’s vampires and werewolves. They stay dead about as well as superheroes.
In conclusion, New Moon is pretty good, and will probably be much easier for guys dragged along to sit through. It’s just disappointing in comparison to the testament to effusive emotionality that was Twilight. New Moon is kind of like Twilight with aspergers, i guess. Still going again tomorrow at midnight. Maybe i’ll like it better with my expectations in check, and a few several drinks in me.
Also, Mattel gets endless (justifiable) shit from action figure collecters for their incompetent distribution of DC toys, but i do have to say i fucking love the Edward and Bella Barbies they put out. If they could get around to doing Sookie and Bill dolls, that would be utopia.
