The Twilight Saga: Assessing the Good, the Bad, and the Franchise’s Future
Despite being a beloved young fantasy series, the Twilight Saga has its share of questionable movies. From Edward Cullen’s manipulative nature to Bella’s co-dependent relationships, there are certain aspects of the franchise that have left fans divided.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1, released in 2011, set up the finale for the adaptation of the popular book series but felt like an incomplete and aimless entry. Although it brought some big moments, including Bella’s long-awaited transformation, there was no fun or excitement to be had. Even Bella’s pregnancy was dull, making it unsurprising that it ranks the lowest on Rotten Tomatoes.
New Moon, the second installment, was also a problematic movie due to Edward’s toxic behavior and Bella’s inability to break free from her co-dependency. However, it does get a boost from its cast, particularly Dakota Fanning and Michael Sheen, who deliver strong villainous performances.
The first film, Twilight, had a unique spark that made it more welcoming, particularly due to its focus on the teen romance between Bella and Edward. Directed by Catherine Hardwicke, it told the story from Bella’s perspective, which gave it a distinct flavor.
Eclipse, released in 2010, was considered one of the best novels in the Twilight series, exploring more mature themes and having a much more exciting story. It blended drama, romance, action, and comedy while giving Bella more to do and think about beyond her relationship with Edward.
The final film, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2, manages to end the franchise on a high note. Bella’s transformation into a vampire and the Cullens’ struggles to keep their clan safe provide real stakes and thrills. With an extended cast and larger-than-life setpieces, it’s the most entertaining of the Twilight movies and has the highest Rotten Tomatoes score.
However, the future of the Twilight franchise is uncertain, with no plans to reboot or continue the series. Netflix has announced an animated series based on the novels, specifically Stephanie Meyer’s Midnight Sun, which reimagines the story from Edward’s perspective. Although this could offer a new perspective on the characters and world, there is currently no word on whether key cast members Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson will be involved.
While the prospects of a big-screen adaptation are slim, the legacy of the Twilight Saga lives on, providing a mixed bag of quality movies and memorable characters.
