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The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1
- Review Date: November 18, 2011
- PG-13
- Genre: Romance
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Sexy honeymoon, disturbing pregnancy dominate latest movie.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this next-to-last installment in the Twilight series is sure to attract throngs of tween, teen, and adult fans of the book-and-film phenomenon. But parents of tweens and younger teens should know that this adaptation faithfully follows the book's mature, disturbing storyline concerning an extremely dangerous pregnancy. Although the action-based violence is mostly confined to a couple of werewolf vs. vampire skirmishes, the birth scene is like something out of a horror film; it's brimming with blood and gore and agonizing pain (though still less than what was in the book). Also, after three movies of abstinence, Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) finally consummate their relationship in a bed-breaking honeymoon scene that shows a lot of skin but nothing R-rated. Families wary of discussing abortion or family planning should know that much of the film deals with those issues. There are also some sad/poignant goodbye scenes.
What's the story?
Bella (Kristen Stewart) is finally headed down the aisle to her dazzling vampire groom, Edward (Robert Pattinson), even though it breaks her best friend, Jacob's (Taylor Lautner), heart. Thanks to her decision to remain a human until after the honeymoon (possible spoiler alerts!), the newlyweds end up conceiving a half-human, half-vampire baby whose aggressive in-utero growth will likely kill Bella. Edward wants to terminate the dangerous pregnancy, but Bella is willing to sacrifice her life for their baby. Meanwhile, Jacob breaks off from the wolf pack when alpha Sam decides the baby must be destroyed, since its birth violates the treaty between the vampires and werewolves. Bella's only chance at survival is to be turned into a vampire immediately after giving birth, but will it be too late?
Is it any good?
Breaking Dawn is very long book, so a two-part movie finale makes sense. But this first installment is all relationship melodrama with very little action, so fans of the special effects-driven fight scenes will be disappointed. Director Bill Condon faithfully focuses on the soap-operaish bits -- the quickie wedding (which provides the movie's first and last look at Bella's hilariously confused human friends, who wonder, "Who gets married at 18?"), the romantic honeymoon, and the ensuing high-risk pregnancy that culminates in one of the most horrific birth scenes (worse than Rosemary's Baby!) ever put on film.
After Bella discovers her pregnancy, the movie basically turns into a pro-life discussion, which will endear some viewers and appall others. At least Lautner finally shows that he can do more than scowl and show off his six-pack as he grieves (and cries!) for his beloved best friend. Stewart and Pattinson's penchant for broodiness is perfectly matched with Bella's sickly and Edward's bereft demeanor. The thin plot (no one really believes the wolves are a threat with Jacob so devoted to Bella, so it's all about the pregnancy) is so over-the-top with the "fetus" vs. "baby" arguments that by the time the birth happens, it's just a relief to be done with the discussion. With its faithful depiction of key passages and lines, BREAKING DAWN is likely to please Twihards but could disturb casual fans.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about Bella and Edward's relationship. Is 18 too young to get married? Should marriage be part of a young adult series aimed at tweens and teens?
Is Bella and Edward's romance a positive example for teenagers? What's your take on the mature issues of sexuality, marriage, and family planning that are addressed in the movie? Parents, take this opportunity to talk to your teens about your own family's values when it comes to these topics.
Because of her focus on Edward (and, to a lesser degree, Jacob), Bella has been unfavorably compared to other young-adult heroines. Why do you think she and the Twilight series remain so popular, and does this popularity convey messages to girls about girls' roles in relationships?
What aspects of the movie were faithful to the book? What scenes are more powerful in the book? In the movie?
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Parent of 12 year old
March 29, 2011
AGE
Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens
Not for anyone underage! Though I do like the fact that they did emphasize the no sex before marriage. That is the one good message in a Fantasy movie.
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Parent
November 18, 2011
AGE
Good, but Very Intense and bordering on disturbing. Pushes the boundry of the PG-13, but doesn't cross it!
I liked the movie, but would I take my younger son to it? NO. The honeymoon scene didn't show anything but definatly pushed the boundries of the PG-13 age rating. You didn't see any vulgar body parts, but you knew they were nude. The bed scenes were not showing anything but Edwards back, but with all the movements, you knew what was happening. The birth scene was a bit disturbing, but the way that Bella looked at the end... very disturbing to me. How they made her look was crazy. So it was not terriable in my eyes, but very intense. I would let my 15 year old see it but that may be the youngest I would go....
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Parent
November 18, 2011
AGE
Good Movie but more appropriate for mature teenagers.
It is definitely not a movie for kids. It's PG 13 for a reason and I'm not sure I would take a 13 year old to it either. But it will provide lots of opportunities for discussion regarding marriage, family, and pregnancy. I liked that Bella focused on something besides Edward.
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Teen, 16 years old
November 18, 2011
AGE
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING FILM!!!
This movie is amazing! Edward and Bella do have sex but nothing is really shown apart from legs, arms and shoulders. The birth scene has been done really well. You can see her stomach and legs to start with but then it shows Bella's facial reactions and seeing everything from her point of view so its only slighty gory. From her point of view you see the scalpel go across her stomach but no blood is shown. Edward bites into Bella's fetus but that isn't shown either, except from blood on his face. There are positive messages and good role models. Bella makes her own decisions about certain things and Edward and Bella have sex after marriage.This movie is actually AMAZING and highly recommend it to any Twilight lover aged 16 and up. Younger viewers may might not understand certain things and it might be a bit too much for anyone under 16.
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Adult
November 19, 2011
AGE
Breaking Dawn surprised me... Positively!!
I must say that Breaking Dawn part.1 was the first movie in the Twilight series that felt like a real movie, if you know what I mean. The first two movies were terribly bad (poor acting, poor directing...) Eclipse was a little better, but Breaking Dawn! It was really something. And don't think that it is only because of the sex content ha ha... The directing was good, the story was well told, and the main cast was waaaay better than in Twilight or New Moon, where they never were convincing. Now I just can't wait for the 2nd part, and I hope it will be as good as this one!!!
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Parent
November 18, 2011
AGE
Kid appropriate!
I think that although the "sex" scenes can be explicit.. many youngs ones will not een understand what is happeneing. therefore they will most likely over look them.
The "sex" scenes only feature some skin and are not very detailed!
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Educator
November 18, 2011
AGE
A Review From Someone Who Just Saw the Movie!!
Well, overall this movie was the best out of the series! It was the closest out of all the movies to the actual book. But warning, DO NOT take your five year old kids to this. This is for older teens and adults only! First, the positive message and role models are shown through Edward and Bella staying abstinent until marriage and the whole sense of family and belonging throughout the movie. There were only two bad words, the d-word, and the h-word, so the language was the least out of all of the movies. There were some very graphic scenes particulary in the birth scene with blood all over the place. The sex scene is not as bad as it was played up to be. I did not see any man or woman parts; the closest part I saw was one side of Bella's breast, but it was primarily covered up my Edward's arm in the water scene so you don't see anything. Both do jump on top of each other, move back a forth a little throughout the honeymoon scene and you see Edward's back and then he breaks the head board. In the second sex scene, Bella is in scimpy lingerie, wakes up from her dream where they passionately kiss, then gets on top of Edward, then it cuts to the next scene. Basically imagine the "almost" sex scenes from Twilight and Eclipse together, except the scenes are longer and they are naked. Most of the time you see Bella's head, legs, or stomach. Oh yes, if you do go, stay after the credits. There is an extra scene. :)
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Teen, 13 years old
November 18, 2011
AGE
Read
Change: Rated R: Strong Violence, Average Sexuality, Some Language, and Mild Drinking
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Kid, 9 years old
November 20, 2011
AGE
Conditionaly
This movie should be appropriot for kids only if parents are okay with it.
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Kid, 12 years old
November 19, 2011
AGE
TEAM JACOB
Too much sex. :(
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Studio: | Summit Entertainment |
| Director: | Bill Condon |
| Cast: | Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner |
| Genre: | Romance |
| Run time: | 117 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 18, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | February 7, 2012 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | disturbing images, violence, sexuality/partial nudity and some thematic elements |
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