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Summit Entertainment and Lionsgate aren’t missing any opportunity to remind fans that this November will bring The Twilight Saga to a close with the release of Breaking Dawn – Part 2. With the MTV Video Music Awards holding the gaze of a large cross-section of the franchise’s fans on Thursday night, the cast was on hand – with Kristen Stewart noticeably absent – to deliver a special trailer amidst the various performances and spontaneous crowdsurfing.
Unfortunately for fans, the trailer offers little new footage or character reveals beyond what’s already been shown, but nevertheless reminds curious viewers that the film will be featuring a vampire Bella (Kristen Stewart) and husband Edward (Robert Pattinson) fighting alongside werewolves against the evil Volturi. Rest assured: vampires will run, and the ground shall be punched.
It’s hard to know exactly what the minds behind Breaking Dawn – Part 2 are up to with the current marketing, since a film that is approximately two hours in length has revealed shockingly little. After the first teaser preview confirmed that Bella was now a vampire, the official teaser reiterated that she is now the same temperature as Edward, and the extended story trailer confirmed that the Volturi would be the villains, plotting to take the couple’s daughter Renesmee (Mackenzie Foy).
Obviously, there’s only a certain amount of detail and footage (not to mention voiceover) that those in charge are willing to reveal about the film at this point, for whatever reason. Even at the film’s Comic-Con panel, the first seven minutes of the movie were all the team was prepared to show. Assuming that most of the audience has read the book series by now, spoilers shouldn’t be a concern, so perhaps there actually will be some surprises the studio feels are best kept under wraps.
What is shown in the trailer are a few new digital effects shots of Bella embracing her newfound strength and lust for cougar – not deer – blood (not to mention Edward and Bella’s take on the ‘Fastball Special’). While an interesting sight in itself after four movies of Bella being outclassed by the Cullens, the sequences in question are sure to court criticism that Part 2‘s visual effects have not been given a significant upgrade from the previous films. The leading lady, however, has received a few brand new looks to go along with her blood-red eyes, possibly making Bella Swan one of the few people who actually became less cold and emotionless after being turned into a vampire.
On the optimistic side, Breaking Dawn – Part 2 might have a few more positives going for it than Part 1 did (read our review). The larger role played by the Volturi means more time for Michael Sheen, one of the more seasoned actors in the film’s cast, to chew some scenery. And there’s always the chance that one of the new Amazonian vampires will have a surprise actor or actress to introduce as well.
Call us optimistic, but perhaps the fifth time is the charm….even if the series ends with a film similar to Breaking Dawn – Part 1, the good news is that the cast members who have shown some potential will have an opportunity to pursue other projects.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 opens in U.S. theaters on November 16th, 2012.
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