It’s very easy to sit back and point the figure at Iron Sky’s ordinary special effects, a cast of unknowns or even the fact the story is so far-fetched it’s hard to believe that a human could conceive it, but there is still something that you have to love about a film that despite its weaknesses still keeps you entertained for its entire running time.

The ‘out there’ plot tells the story of ‘moon Nazis’, a party of Nazis who in the closing stages of World War II left Earth and set-up a base on ‘the dark-side of the moon’. Now days the base is inhabited by Nazis including the determined (and in line to be Fuhrer) Klaus Adler (Gotz Otto – TV’S The Last Cop & Stuttgart Homicide) and his bride-to-be, the naïve Renate Richter (Julia Dietze – 205: Room Of Fear, Berlin Angels).

While the Nazis plan for an attack on Earth their plan is rushed forward, in the year 2018, when a space-shuttle containing astronaut, James Washington (Christopher Kirby – I Love You Too, Mao’s Last Dancer) lands near the base. The Nazis believe that it is a sign that there base is under attack when it is actually a political-stunt by U.S. President (Stephanie Paul – Separation City, The Frequency Of Claire) and her PR advisor, Vivian Wagner (Peta Sergeant – TV’S Satisfaction & Canal Road). The result is inter-galactic war.

The reason that Iron Sky works is because the screenwriters and director, Timo Vuorensola (Star Wreck: In The Pirkinning, Norjalainen huora) doesn’t let the film take itself too seriously. They know that the film is ‘out there’ and they film it in such a way that they are making fun of themselves without ever dipping into complete parody.

In fact when you take a look at the script it actually has some ‘intelligent’ aspects. The Sarah Palin-esque President is a great touch, but it is when the film takes a mighty swing at U.S. politics and the U.N. that you begin to realize that the screenwriters have used ‘comedy’ to mask a pretty serious message… one that you may or may not agree with.

It is also worth noting that the screenwriters don’t really make light of the Nazi party so nobody should be too concerned that the film will offend anyone. It’s a thin line that the screenwriters skate, but they do it remarkably well.

Some of the acting is a little wooden and at times poor old Christopher Kirby has to suffer wearing some very ordinary special-effects make-up but the star of the show really is Julia Dietze. She is brilliant from start to finish and even if Iron Sky does nothing else it has certainly put this talented actress on the map.

Iron Sky isn’t for everybody but if you enjoy a sci-fi that is a little left-of-centre but doesn’t become a farce than you certainly won’t be disappointed if you give it a glance.

Year: 2012

Director: Timo Vuorensola

Stars: Julia Dietze, Peta Sergeant, Stephanie Paul, Gotz Otto, Christopher Kirby

Classification: M

Runtime: 93 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

It’s not an over-reaction to say that the film world laughed when Hasbro (yes the Games people that also brought us the Transformers franchise) announced that they were making a film based on the perennial favorite game Battleship. How could a game involving yelling out ‘E3, E4, E5’ and placing pegs in a board possibly transfer to a big screen film?

Well now the laughing must stop because Hasbro has managed to do just that, and to their credit they’ve delivered an action film that surpasses Transformers both in story and special effects.

The story centres around Alex Hopper (Taylor Kitsch – John Carter, TV’S Friday Night Lights) a troubled youngster who is forced into the navy by his brother, Stone (Alexander Skarsgard – Straw Dogs, Melancholia) when his bid to attract the attention of Samantha (Brooklyn Decker – What To Expect When You’re Expecting, Cookies & Cocktails) lands him in trouble with the law.

A flash forward sees Alex now in the Navy, dating Samantha who just happens to be the daughter of Admiral Shane (Liam Neeson – Wrath Of The Titans, The Grey) and when not getting into more trouble finds himself preparing for a healthy bout of war games.

Unfortunately, the war games are put on hold when some invaders from out-of-space interrupt them in a bid to take over the world. Due to circumstances that unveil Alex soon finds himself in charge of the fight-back, buoyed on by his crew that include Raikes (Rihanna – newcomer), Ordy (Jesse Plemons – Paul, TV’S Friday Night Lights) and Alex’s nemesis, Nagata (Tadanobu Asano – A Ghost Of A Chance, Thor).

Director, Peter Berg (Hancock, The Kingdom) does his best to make what Internet circles have dubbed ‘navy porn’ into a watchable film. Like most action sci-fi films there are holes throughout the script (‘why do aliens who don’t like sunlight come to Earth?’ and ‘would Raikes be allowed to wear that much make-up in the military?’ come straight to mind) but at the end of the day Battleship does what it sets out to do, and that is to entertain its audience.

The special effects and Berg’s choice of not using 3D or shaky camera work certainly enhance this film but some credit must also be paid to the script. This is one action script that doesn’t forget about characterization for its lead roles and consists of a story that holds up for the entire 2 hours. Yes the sub-story (and characters) are a little weak and the token ‘we are America, we will win’ is a little infuriating but these points are easily forgotten by the fact this is a film that promises action and delivers by the shipload (sorry for the pun).

Berg looks after two of his Friday Night Lights stars, Jesse Plemons and Taylor Kitsch, by giving them plum roles in Battleships and both repay his loyalty by delivering what is asked of them. Kitsch is making a niche for himself as an action hero who also has some dramatic acting ability and you would have to now think that he certainly has a future ahead of him. Pop-star Rihanna isn’t given much to work with for her debut acting role but certainly doesn’t embarrass herself while Brooklyn Decker might look pretty but her acting skills are certainly still a work in progress.

Battleship isn’t going to win any scriptwriting awards but it is an enjoyable watch for those that like their action films fast-paced and full of grunt. Fans of the game will also be impressed at how the screenwriters have written aspects of the games into the film, it is quite ingenious and isn’t made glaringly obvious. Now all the film world has to do is take back those laughs and admit Hasbro have delivered their project well.

Year: 2012

Director: Peter Berg

Stars: Liam Neeson, Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgard, Brooklyn Decker, Rihanna, Jesse Plemons, Tadanobu Asano

Classification: M

Runtime: 131 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

Those that dislike films such as Harry Potter or Twilight most likely let out a collective groan when they heard that The Hunger Games was set to be released, the teeny bopper hysteria possible didn’t help it either. But to the haters’ disappointment director, Gary Ross (Seabiscuit, Pleasantville) has actually made this into a pretty decent film… and he hasn’t been afraid to introduce the popcorn-set to some alternative filmmaking.

Based on the novels by Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games follows Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence – X-Men: First Class, The Beaver) a young girl who lives in a world run by a restrictive Government. To make matters worse she lives in District 12, one of the poorer districts of the land.

Each year there is a competition held called The Hunger Games which sees each district forced to place one boy and one girl in a deadly game where the survivor is the only winner. When Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks – Man On A Ledge, Just A Little Heart Attack) draws Katniss’ young sister, Primrose’s (Willow Shields – Beyond The Blackboard, TV’S In Plain Sight) name out of the bowl, Katniss steps forward and volunteers to leave the village she knows and her ‘boyfriend’ Gale (Liam Hemsworth – The Last Song, Triangle) to take part in The Hunger Games.

Now the young girl who is an expert in hunting must rely on people such as teammate, Peeta (Josh Hutcherson – Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, Detention) and ‘trainers’ Haymitch (Woody Harrelson – Game Change, Rampart) and Cinna (Lenny Kravtiz – Precious, The Rugrats Movie) to ensure that she will return to her family.

To his credit Ross doesn’t hold back with The Hunger Games. It is a dark story and he carries that mood throughout the film, although that mean that some of the teeny audience are a little shocked at the amount of violence on the screen in front of them. This thankfully brings some reality to the film, although the same can’t be said for some of the dodgy CG that litters the film, especially during the bushfire scene.

The film does provide the audience with some genuine suspenseful moments and once it is established that characters will actually be killed off you are fearful for those around Katniss, and although you do get the feeling that she will survive, you aren’t sure how or what she will have to do in order for that to occur.

However, one big failure in the film is that the script doesn’t really allow those that haven’t read the book get full access to the world at hand. Their technology really isn’t explained which can raise some interesting questions but again Ross must be congratulated for creating a film that takes such a massive swipe to society in general as well as in particular, reality TV.

Acting wise some of the supporting actors are a bit disappointing but to her credit Jennifer Lawrence again absolutely shines, showing those who are yet to see Winter’s Bone what the rest of the world already knew… she is one of the most talented actors going around at the moment. Also stepping up in this film are Lenny Kravitz and Woody Harrelson who are wonderful in their roles and certainly remind Hollywood of their acting abilities. It would also be a crime not to mention a virtually unrecognizable Stanley Tucci (Captain America: The First Avenger, Margin Call) who plays the sleazy Caesar Flickerman remarkably well.

The Hunger Games will surprise quite a few people. It’s is beautifully shot and really puts some of the latter Twilight films to shame. A highly enjoyable action film that produces some truly suspenseful moments.

Year: 2012

Director: Gary Ross

Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Stanley Tucci, Willow Shields, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz

Classification: M

Runtime: 142 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

It is hard to believe that it has been five years since the last Ghost Rider film graced our screens but unfortunately the follow-up is lacking in some areas, but strangely enough better in others… read on and you’ll understand.

This time round Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage – Trespass, Seeking Justice) is on the run and hiding from the public, somewhere in Europe, to ensure that his alter-ego The Ghost Rider does not harm anyone.

But then the Devil… now calling himself Roarke (Ciaran Hinds – John Carter, The Woman In Black) comes back into his life. Roarke wants to fulfil a prophecy with his son, Danny (Fergus Riordan – El Sueno de Ivan, I Want To Be A Soldier) and has eager criminal, Ray Carrigan (Johnny Whitworth – Limitless, Valley Of The Sun) out searching for him.

Meanwhile trying to prevent Roarke from getting his hands on Danny are his mother, Nadya (Violante Placido – The American, Barah Aana) and a mysterious priest named Moreau (Idris Elba – Thor, Takers). Moreau turns to Johnny with a promise, help protect Danny and help him get rid of The Ghost Rider.

Now this is where Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance will divide the audience. See directors, Mark Neveldine (Gamer, Crank) and Brian Taylor (the same) have made the film look absolutely brilliant. Even the CG used to design The Ghost Rider’s face looks ten time better than the original and makes him look a hell of a lot darker. But unfortunately the screenwriters just don’t come to the party and what could have become a fairly decent supernatural movie ends up in falling into a pile that should be labeled… ‘Generic Action Flick’.

To cut a long story short it is the CG in this film that saves it and some pretty good directing. The car chase looks good, although you could argue there should have been some more suspense in there, while The Ghost Rider taking off the earth machinery looks epic on the big screen.

Acting wise the actors aren’t given much to work with at all, in fact as long as they turned up on the day when they were taught how to be clichés they would fly through this film. Cage tries to do a good job but in the end he looks lame because of the some of the awfully lines he is given to deliver. The only thing anyone gets out of the film is that Hollywood finds another pretty face in the form of Violante Placido.

Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance may look good but lacks substance where it matters most in the story meaning it ends up becoming just another ordinary action flick.

Year: 2012

Director: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor

Stars: Nicolas Cage, Violante Placido, Ciaran Hinds, Idris Elba, Johnny Whitworth, Fegus Riordan

Classification: M

Runtime: 96 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

The one thing you realise when watching Labyrinth (which has been recently converted to 2K Digital Format) is that director Jim Henson (TV’S Muppets & Dinosaurs) made too few feature films in his time. Sure Labyrinth is a strange little film (especially when you consider it was made for children) but really Henson was just making films in the same ilk as directors like Tim Burton (Alice In Wonderland, Sweeney Todd).

For those who haven’t seen the film already Labyrinth tells the story of what happens when Sarah (Jennifer Connelly – Salvation Boulevard, The Dilemma) angrily lashes out and wishes that her baby brother would be taken away by goblins.

The wish comes true and soon Sarah finds herself face-to-face with Jareth the Goblin King (David Bowie – August, The Prestige). She begs for the baby back but Jareth says if she wants him she’ll have to come to his castle to get him… that means making her way through a labyrinth in 13 hours (give or take a few thanks to a few tricks).

Along the way Sarah befriends creatures such as Hoggle (voiced by Brian Henson – TV’S Tinseltown & The Muppets), Ludo (voiced by Ron Mueck – The Tale Of The Bunny Picnic, Dreamchild) and Didymus (voiced by David Shaughnessy – Death Spa, TV’S Peter Pan & The Pirates).

Henson borrows heavily from stories such as Alice In Wonderland and Where The Wild Things Are and despite the fact that the story may lack a little and that the songs are pretty lame you overlook this because the film is just damn fun to watch.

You also have to marvel at how far advanced some the special effects were that were used in the film. There are a few lame ones but they are overshadowed by scenes such as the one where Jareth is walking upside down underneath Sarah.

Acting wise a young Jennifer Connelly is brilliant leaving no doubts to why she beat the likes of Helena Bonham Carter to the role. Despite the fact she is in a sci-fi she keeps her acting natural and interacts with the ‘puppets’ sensational well. David Bowie also puts in a credible performance despite the fact that at times he is given some really lame lines to deliver.

The new print of Labyrinth looks sensational on the big screen and is a must see for those who are fans for the film. And if you haven’t seen it, then now is the time to catch up with what is a classic fantasy film.  

Year: 1986

Director: Jim Henson

Stars: Jennifer Connelly, David Bowie, Brian Henson, Ron Mueck, David Shaughnessy

Classification: G

Runtime: 101 mins

Rating:

The new print of Labyrinth will be screening in Melbourne at The Astor from April 8-15.

Dave Griffiths

It would be good if this could be a review of a new Star Wars film but alas George Lucas still hasn’t put pen too paper, instead he sees fit to re-jiggle this film from 1999. At least he has done more than just silly little things, like making characters blink, this time around… but still the question must be raised – did fans of the series really want to see The Phantom Menace in 3D or is it just a grab for new cash.

Everyone by now probably knows the story of The Phantom Menace but in case you don’t… here goes. Two Jedi Knights, Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson – The Grey, Unknown) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor – Beginners, Haywire) are called to the Planet of Naboo to help broker a deal surrounding a blockade. However, they soon learn that this is just the front of something more sinister and realise that Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman – Thor, Your Highness) and her people are under threat. The resulting journey sees them come into contact with Jar Jar Binks (voiced by Ahmed Best (TV’S Star Wars: The Clone Wars & Easy To Assemble) and Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd – Madison)… the latter who becomes one of the most important characters in the Star Wars universe.

You must wonder whether or not Lucas thought the idea of re-releasing all the Star Wars movies in 3D. As most serious film goers will tell you the bottom is about to fall out of the 3D market (people are choosing to see films in 2D rather than pay the high 3D prices) and my releasing The Phantom Menace first people who are new to the series are going to be pretty confused. Simple things like character development for characters such as Yoda (voiced by Frank Oz (Zathura, TV’S Sesame Street) don’t happen to much later in the series (due to the fact that Eps 4,5,6 were released first originally) and you don’t even really get told what ‘Jedi’ is until episode 4.

To be even blunter the 3D does nothing to enhance the film. If the film had been originally shot in 3D then yes scenes such as the pod races would look amazing but by adding 3D in post-production (even if it is 12 years later) you never really get that same look… in fact you soon forget that you are even watching it in 3D.

While it is good to see The Phantom Menace back on the big screen (and maybe for the first time for some) the fact that it is in 3D doesn’t really do anything…although you might find that seeing Jar Jar Binks jump around is even more annoying in 3D.

As far as sci-fi films go The Phantom Menace is okay (it’s nowhere near as good as the original Star Wars films, the story and characters are a lot weaker), but don’t get conned into thinking that seeing it in 3D will make the film-going experience any better.

Year: 2012

Director: George Lucas

Stars: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ahmed Best, Frank Oz

Classification: PG

Runtime: 136 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

So slick and fresh is Chronicle that you could be forgiven for thinking that is something new from J.J. Abrams. Chronicle is the sci-fi film that fans of the genre have been waiting to see for a long, long time. The concept is new and this is one time where the hand-held camera actually enhances the film rather then distracts from the story… dare we say it – this is the best handheld film since Cloverfield.

Andrew (Dane DeHaan – TV’S True Blood & In Treatment) is always the kid that gets pushed around at school (and punched around by his Dad at home) but when he starts carrying a camera around to document his life for his dying mother life becomes interesting. When his cousin, Matt (Alex Russell – Halloween Knight, The Best Man) forces him to go to a rave he is there when Matt and Steve (Michael B. Jordan – Red Tails, TV’S House) discover a mysterious hole and decide to investigate. What happens next leaves Andrew, Matt and Steve with power that they could not have dreamt off, now they must really find out what they are capable of.

This really is the kind of film that director, Josh Trank (TV’S The Kill Point) could have lost control of so badly that it ended up being a B-Grade film found in any $2 Shop bargain bin. Instead, thanks to some great screenwriting from Max Landis (The Death And Return Of Superman, Ghost Closet ’07) this really becomes a film that studies what can actually happen to people when they discover they have super-human abilities. For some it is fun, for others it is the beginning of an anti-hero story.

Trank keeps the film looking natural all the way through and to his credit he doesn’t seem to falter with the all the special effects that are going on either. So natural is the film that at first the climatic ending seems a little far-fetched but when you relax you realise that this had to happen. You may even realise that Tranks does an amazing job making the climax so dramatic and suspenseful while never once falling away from the hand-held technique.

Finally something new and fresh has landed in the sci-fi field. Chronicle by far outweighs expectation and this sneaky little sci-fi is a film worthy of blockbuster status. A must for sci-fi fans.

Year: 2012

Director: Josh Trank

Stars: Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell, Michael B. Jordan

Classification: M

Runtime: 84 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

It’s a shame but The Darkest Hour becomes yet another film that ends up on that ‘frustrating’ pile of films. Storywise and visually The Darkest Hour works well but sadly it is let down by some really poor dialogue and the fact that you never really get a chance to ‘connect’ with the main characters.

Sean (Emile Hirsch – Killer Joe, Taking Woodstock) and Ben (Max Minghella – The Ides Of March, The Social Network) have arrived in Moscow about to sign the deal of a lifetime. But when they realise they have been screwed over by Skyler (Joel Kinnaman – The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Easy Money) they decide to drown their swallows by hitting one of the hippest nightclubs in town. It is here that they run into fellow Americans, Natalie (Olivia Thirlby – Nobody Walks, Margaret) and Anne (Rachael Taylor – Red Dog, Summer Coda). But soon there fun is interrupted by an invasion of alien beings that are mostly invisible to the human eye.

It’s hard to believe that somewhere during the making of this film that somebody didn’t pull aside director, Chris Gorak (Right At Your Door) and say ‘eh…mate can we get this dialogue re-written’. Some of the things the central characters say are really obvious, while the poor old Russian characters are given lines that are almost laughable.

And it’s a shame that the film is like that because the premise of aliens attacking that you can’t see is brilliant… it is the kind of psychological torment that audiences love to see. Gorak shows that he does have talent as a director; his shots of a post-Apocalyptic Moscow are great, while the special effects where humans are devoured by the aliens does look pretty good.

You also have to feel sorry for the cast. Hirsch, Minghella, Thirlby and Taylor. They do a good job with what they have, but the poor blighters were not only given lame dialogue to deliver but also had no room for their characters to develop. The situation the four find themselves in should have given the screenwriters plenty of opportunity to work with group dynamics (especially considering the boys are trapped with someone that just ripped them off) as well as exploring how each character was personally affected by what was going on around them… but in the end the audience was given nothing.

The Darkest Hour is worth seeing just for some of the pretty decent shots that are in it and because this is one time where the filmmakers create some suspense by not being afraid to kill off main characters. Ultimately though, it becomes just an average sci-fi movie that seems to have only surfaced to keep the teens happy during the school holidays.

Year: 2011

Director: Chris Gorak

Stars: Emile Hirsch, Olivia Thirlby, Max Minghella, Rachael Taylor, Joel Kinnaman

Classification: M

Runtime: 89 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

I’m not sure I have ever heard a movie title cause as much confusion as Journey 2: The Mysterious Island seems to be causing. Outside the world premiere tonight people were asking “Journey 2? Did I need to see Journey 1 first? Was there a Journey 1?” Another asked “is it a sequel to Journey To Witch Mountain”… kind of an out there question considering the film was actually caused Race To Witch Mountain.

Well, put your troubled minds at ease because this is actually a sequel to Journey To The Centre Of The Earth which surfaced way back in 2008 and starred Brendan Fraser in the lead role. And I’m happy to say that chances are if you enjoyed the first one you’ll enjoy this one as well, because even though at times the film does stretch too far in a bid to get a laugh and has some ordinary (at best) special effects, at the end of the day it is a decent family orientated sci-fi/fantasy.

This time around the film centres on Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson – Detention, The Third Rule), who as loyal viewers will realise is the son of Trevor Anderson (the character that Brendan Fraser played in the original). Sean has followed in the footsteps of his father and is continuing to explore the works of Jules Verne in the belief that his work is based on fact and not fiction.

Sean’s mother, Liz (Kristin Davis – Sex And The City 2, Couples Retreat) is now married to Hank (Dwayne Johnson – Fast & Furious 5, Faster), a step-father he is struggling to bond with. However, the pair find common ground when Sean intercepts a coded message which he believes came from his grandfather, Alexander (Michael Caine – Cars 2, Gnomeo & Juliet), who in his eyes is a famous explorer and has just discovered Verne’s Mysterious Island. Buoyed by the call to adventure Hank and Sean leave for Palau when they find the other people willing to help find the island is helicopter pilot, Gabato (Luis Guzman – Arthur, The Caller) and his daughter Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens – Sucker Punch, Beastly).

For the most part Journey 2: The Mysterious Island works well. The script flows well, there is a good set-up of story and characters, so good in fact that you are willing to over look some of the amateurish special effects and even a few ‘well-it’s-lucky-that-happened’ moments…after it all it is a family film. But the one thing that I couldn’t overlook (because it’s one of those horrible film moments I feel I’ll remember forever) is a weird ab-bouncing scene that features Dwayne Johnson. The scene is completely out of place and is only there to try and get a laugh, director Brad Peyton (Cats & Dogs 2: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore, A Tale Of Bad Luck) really needed to just say ‘guys we aren’t filming that.’

Of course none of the actors are really stretched. Hudgens and Hutcherson recover from some incredibly cheesy moments to put in good efforts while Guzman shows (like he did in Arthur) he can pull off some comedy pearlers. Michael Caine as usual does a wonderful job and Dwayne Johnson shows strength in the fact that he can make fun of himself… oh and he sings, and I have to admit he doesn’t have such a bad voice.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is your typical family-friendly sci-fi-fantasy that is capable of entertaining the whole family… just remember that I did warn you about the ab-bouncing scene.

Year: 2012

Director: Brad Peyton

Stars: Josh Hutcherson, Dwayne Johnson, Vanessa Hudgens, Michael Caine, Luis Guzman, Kristen Davis

Classification: PG

Runtime: 94 mins

Rating:

Out on DVD/Blu-Ray 23rd May 2012

Dave Griffiths

Let’s preface this review by saying I am not a Twilight hater, in fact I have enjoyed the other films in the series but sadly I have to say that Breaking Dawn is the weakest of the films so far, possibly because of the fact that it is indeed a part one and seems to lack the suspense and action of the previous films.

Breaking Dawn Part One sees Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart – Eclipse, The Runaways) about to marry her vampire-finacee, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson – Water For Elephants, Eclipse) much to the disgust of her close friend, the werewolf, Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner – Abduction, Eclipse). However, when the honeymoon results in Bella falling pregnant (with a pregnancy that moves ahead at an alarming rate) it alarms all the Cullens, especially Carlisle (Peter Facinelli – Eclipse, TV’S Nurse Jackie) who fears that Bella may lose her life. Worse still the werewolf pack decide that the ‘baby’ must be killed at any cost (even if it means taking Bella’s life) which then leaves Jacob with a big decision. Does he stand against his family in the bed to protect the woman he loves, even though she has married his enemy?

Sadly, part of the reason that Breaking Dawn Part 1 is weaker than the other films is thanks to the scissors of the editor who was forced to tone done the film in a bid to satisfy those classifying the film. At the centre of the Twilight story is an epic romance but all the passion is ripped from the honeymoon shots in a bid to get a lower rating. As a result the honeymoon scenes seem out of place in Melissa Rosenberg’s (Eclipse, TV’S Dexter) script and all the drama and suspense is sapped from it, meaning that Bill Condon (Tilda, Dreamgirls) is left directing a limp film that you can only hope is made better by the release of Part Two.

Even the birth scenes are cut to shreds which again destroys all the suspense about whether or not Bella will live or not, and in the end this reviewer found himself more interested in the storyline that was developing around Jacob turning his back on his family… that really says something as I would normally identify myself as Team Edward all the way.

In the long run Breaking Dawn Part 1 does tell an important part of the Twilight story, but it really is the slowest and weakest film in the series so far and I am already finding myself hoping that Part Two is a hell of a lot better. This one really is only for Twi-hards.

Year: 2011

Director: Bill Condon

Stars: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner

Classification: M

Runtime: 117 mins

Rating:

Out on DVD/Blu-Ray 15th March, 2012

Dave Griffiths