Twilight Series - New Moon Review (Revised)
This review is a revised version. In an attempt to be somewhat edgy, my first run-through might have been over the top with a few points. This one is toned down a little bit:
I went to see the Twilight sequel, New Moon, last night with my two daughters, son, and one of their friends. I promised a review of the movie from a Christian perspective.
I don’t usually review movies, as I don’t usually catch the movies in the theaters (it’s just too expensive for a family to five to catch enough movies for me to qualify as a reviewer). Instead, we wait three or four months and spend a few bucks to rent the DVD. As a concerned parent, I find this easier to fast forward through any objectionable parts or stop watching the DVD altogether (somehow, it is easier to eject a $4.00 DVD rental in the middle of the movie than walk out on a $58.00 movie).
So, to further establish a basis for this review of New Moon from a Christian perspective, let me add that I take my role as a father seriously. I believe God has given me a responsibility as a parent to be a good steward over my family; and as a leader in my church, God has given me a responsibility to be an overseer, a good steward with His Word, establish Scriptural understanding, and help apply Biblical principles to our lives.
Disclaimer: I am not perfect, my understanding is not perfect, and I do not claim to possess all that is required to be a judge over others – so I try not to put myself in a judgment role. God calls me to be an overseer, not a judge. My responsibility is strictly with what the Lord has given me to be a steward, whether that is family, possessions, knowledge, or understanding.
With this basis, I decided to weigh in on the Twilight/New Moon movie due to the comments and opinions being shared in Christian circles on the Internet and other places.
To what many Christians may be objecting is the occult message of the vampire and werewolf lore. This is taken directly from their statements, some whom object without even seeing the movie because they “…refuse to subject themselves to the occult message and glorification of evil.”
The challenge I have with this whole situation is simple: the occult, by definition, means the knowledge of the hidden truths, which can be applied to so many purposes in our lives. However, this word has grown to be understood as the knowledge of the paranormal, dark secrets, or other “non-conforming” belief systems. Vampires and werewolves are, by definition, fiction. The hidden truth about vampires and werewolves is they are make-believe, made-up, fictional, and do not exist. Period. Vampires and werewolves cannot represent the occult because there are no hidden truths about them, no underlying details, and no hidden meanings… they simply do not exist outside of fiction.
Yes, we can recognize some Goth oriented people who may qualify as a vampire wanna-be, and I’m sure we can find some extremely hairy people who may lift their legs when they urinate, but pretending to be something fictional does not make it real. It just makes it pretend.
Vampires and werewolves are merely an instrument to tell a larger story, or elements in storytelling to convey a deeper meaning. If the instrument is used to convey a dark meaning, or to glorify evil, then obviously we can form an opinion on the basis of the story, not the elements within the story. I do not like watching movies where evil is glorified; I did not find Twilight or New Moon falling into that category.
In the case of the Twilight series, vampires and werewolves are the instrument to tell a story about romance. Let’s rewind the movie scene by a couple of decades and compare Twilight or New Moon to Grease, another romance using nostalgia, music, and dancing to tell a story. We are looking at two differing instruments to tell similar stories – and by the way, while I will let my children see Twilight and New Moon, Grease is still a few years in their future for them to handle some of the adult content.
On with the review: New Moon is nothing more than a chick flick on romance using vampires and werewolves to tell a story. My son and I actually found parts of the movie a bit boring and slow paced; my daughters loved every emotional second. The two hours and 15 minutes could have been cut down by about 30 minutes if the directors found a better way to convey Bella’s depression after Edward’s departure and build up Bella’s relationship with Jacob.
My concern to the movie content would be how quickly Bella was ready to give up her soul for Edward, and how quickly she was able to fall into Jacob’s arms. Again, these are both elements to tell a story, were good discussion fodder for afterward, and will continue to be in future conversations (this is where my daughters roll their eyes while reading this review). While this movie is very direct in stating Bella is giving up her soul, this can be very symbolic to the way teens and adults give up their souls for worldly desires, such as careers, money, sex, drugs, alcohol, or other passions. I can name off a few movies where teens gave up their souls for football, basketball, or other sports oriented causes, yet Christians rarely flagged these movies as being objectionable.
I appreciated the scene where the vampires are debating whether Bella should be turned into a vampire and a few are suggesting such a soulless existence should not be put upon anyone. Throughout the movie, Edward displays his true love for Bella by not want Bella to give up her soul. These elements provide somewhat of a redeeming quality to the overall portrayal of the vampires… somewhat. From the book series reviews, I find it unfortunate to learn Bella eventually becomes a vampire in the next sequel, but this in itself provides an example of how each of us are responsible for our life decisions.
Bella’s obsession with Edward and Jacob bordered on the excessive, which is why the word obsession best describes her attraction. While I recognize this is what attracts a majority of the female teen fans for the series, I would hope they acknowledge this as a fictional portrayal and not try to adapt these obsessions to real life relationships. The kissing in the show was exactly what you would expect for a passionate kiss, and I was thankful nothing progressed beyond the kiss (opps, forgot about the hand holding scene, but we’ll just call that acceptable under the guidelines of PDA – public display of affection).
The violence in the movie was limited to the bloodless execution of a vampire, a rushed killing of a vampire in the woods, and two werewolves fighting (talk about a classic dog fight). The only blood I can recall seeing in the entire film was a paper-cut on Bella’s finger and a slice on her arm when she was pushed against a glass table. I saw more gore on an advertisement against texting while driving.
Since I did not read the series, I would have appreciated a little more explanation to the whole vampire/werewolf relationship Jacob eluded to so many times, especially the whole story Jacob asked Bella to remember from their walk on the beach (I forget if that in the first show?). I finally figured out why Jacob and his buddies were walking around shirtless for most of the movie, the werewolves being the hot-blooded balance to the cold-blooded vampires (again, we find another element to attract the female teens, but no more than you would see at a public beach or pool).
From a Christian perspective, I found some objectionable material. The same can be said of the Star Wars series (evil is portrayed, people are hurt, and a Wookie walks around naked). Objectionable material can be found in just about any movie; even the Passion had critics. The Twilight and New Moon movies were not filled with gore, slasher type violence, overt evil, nudity, excessive passion, or glorified evil. So, this being stated from a Christian perspective, I am not going to the movies to teach my children the Gospel or to learn about salvation. We went to be entertained, and with the exception of a few boring stretches, we were entertained.
This is where those with opposing views will strike down my words with, “…do all things unto the Lord…”, “…live a life worthy of the Lord…”, “…seek first His kingdom and righteousness…”, “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable– if anything is excellent or praiseworthy– think about such things…”, and “…you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips…”. This is where I may be accused of trying to have one foot in the Kingdom and one foot in the world, of being double-minded, or a conflicted Christian.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, and I am learning what other people think of me is really none of my business. We each have our perspective and opinions, we view things differently, and (currently) have the freedom to share those opinions. I firmly embrace each of the above quoted Scriptures. Again, I am not going to the movies to teach my children the Gospel or to learn about salvation. We went to be entertained, and since evil was not glorified, the movie-making and story-telling was good, and the acting was excellent, we were entertained.
I understand why some people may be offended by the whole vampire and werewolf portrayal in the Twilight series and should not see the movies. I respect their opinion and promise I will not suggest they see the show or pressure them in any way. I expect the same in return.
To sum up my review of New Moon from a Christian perspective, I can say I found the movie to be a pleasant surprise, entertaining, and a romantic drama targeting young adults and older. I did not think evil was glorified and recognized the whole vampire/werewolf theme as a fictional element to telling a story of romance. I hope the rest of the series continues to be made of the same standard of story-telling without dipping into violence, nudity, excessive passion, or glorifying evil.
I give this movie a thumb and a half.
Are you tough enough to be a Christian? Are you tough enough to state your opinions when other Christians may not agree with you? Hmmm…
Glenn Sasscer
www.glennsasscer.com
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