I have no idea why the reviews for this film have been so weak, i really liked it. Granted the films have never been critic favourites, but both Twilight and Eclipse got at least a MIXED reception sitting around the 50% on RottenTomatoes.com.
Seems like BD has been getting the same main issue complaint as NEW MOON [which was also equally as slated by critics], with it being too boring. I suppose if you don't care about the story you'd be bored since it does lack "action", but i didn't find it boring at all. The melodrama was enough, as was the pacing imo.
Anyway, it turned out better than expected. I think both Rob and Kristen have finally grown into their characters, with serious chemistry lacking between them for most of this franchise, child/birth and marriage seems to be a situation that suits them both best. I can't say the same for Jacob though, who not only is annoying as ever in this [mostly for the first ahlf of the film], but Taylor's acting seems to be getting worse. I did however like Jacob finally growing a pair and standing up to Sam, a lot of people didn't seem to like that scene, but i thought it was dramatic and nicely done.
The birth scene may not have been the gore fest it was in the books, but i didn't really care to be honest. They made up for that with Bella looking pretty much horrendous during her pregnancy anyway. She looked really gross.
My only real issue was once again with the vampire make up, not with the Cullens, but with the OTHER vampires that attended the wedding. I was laughing when i saw those vamp chicks on screen, they looked beyond stupid, the make up is just WAY too much in these movies sometimes. I know the vamps are supposed to look other wordly, but there is no way in hell ANY of those girls could walk around in day to day life with those ridiculous gold eyes, perfect skin and Barbie doll hair, they just looked silly.
All in all, as a fan of the books, i think it delivered and story wise i thought it was the best of the series, mostly because so mnay NEW things happen that are unique to the final section of the story [birth, sex, marriage ect]. I don't think it's the best of the films so far, that still goes to Eclipse, but i think BD was a good part 1 to what will no doubt be a much more "action packed" part 2 next year.
I liked it.