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THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSEMovie Reviews
Fantasy romance and third in the series about a teenager approaching her high school graduation, who is forced to choose between the vampire boy she loves and her male werewolf friend. Cast:Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ashley Greene, Billy BurkeDirector:David SladeRelease Date:June 30, 2010DVD Release:December 7, 2010From:Summit EntertainmentRating:PG-13Length:2 hr. 4 min.
DECEMBER 7, 2010
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, Good (Not Great) Reviews
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse played to good not great reviews. • Joy Tipping wrote in the Dallas Morning News, "...the best of the pack thus far. It's fast-paced, witty and uncloyingly sentimental... a well-paced blend of action and introspection..." • And Claudia Puig wrote in USA Today, "...pretty much more of the same.... it's still hard to see what all the fuss over ordinary Bella is about." More Reviews Below...
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Positive Reviews (49 Reviews, reviews below)
Richard Corliss, Time: GOOD "...isn't a masterpiece -- no matter. It rekindles the warmth of great Hollywood romances, where foreplay was the climax and a kiss was never just a kiss."(See all of Richard Corliss's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,028 words, 06/29/10
David Germain, Associated Press: MODERATE(cg) "...while the movie's a bit more light on its feet, it wallows in what fans love most, that whiny romantic triangle among a schoolgirl and her two beastie boys."(See all of David Germain's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 734 words, 06/29/10
Thelma Adams, Us Weekly: VERY GOOD(cg) "Bella's the perfect moody teenager rocking jeans and mascara, a beauty inside and out just trying to find a place in the world where she feels real."(See all of Thelma Adams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 311 words, 06/29/10
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: EXCELLENT(cg) "The story, at heart, is earnest and humorless teen romantic glop, but its feelings aren't fake, and the movie is compulsively watchable; it has a passionflower intensity."(See all of Owen Gleiberman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 694 words, 07/02/10
James Berardinelli, Reel Views: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...any attempt to pretend this isn't all about sex is foolish. 'Eclipse' is all about getting the juices flowing, plain and simple."(See all of James Berardinelli's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,174 words, 06/30/10
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone: MODERATE(cg) "...plays it PG-13 safe... just one more walk on the mild sides for tweens who dream of being penetrated by cold flesh that will keep them young and cute forever."(See all of Peter Travers's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 735 words, 06/29/10
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: MODERATE(cg) "...conversations between Bella and Edward, Bella and David, Edward and David, and Edward and Bella and David. This would play better if any of them were clever..."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 784 words, 06/29/10
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (13 Reviews)
A.O. Scott, New York Times: GOOD "...raises the level of romantic intensity considerably, and also nudges Bella's heretofore somewhat abstract longings decisively in the direction of physical lust..."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 972 words, 06/30/10
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "If you adore Meyer's characters already, you'll be thrilled to spend more time with them. If you don't, well, you'd just end up sitting among a bunch of sighing teens..."(See all of Elizabeth Weitzman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 393 words, 06/29/10
Kyle Smith, New York Post: VERY GOOD(cg) "...dispenses with much of the caramel gooeyness of the first two episodes in favor of decent action, some heartfelt tender moments and even a splash of wit."(See all of Kyle Smith's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 797 words, 06/30/10
Rafer Guzman, New York Newsday: WEAK(cg) "...the teenage but immortal vampires complain about being 'frozen' in their lives, unable to 'move forward.' So is everyone involved in this deathtrap of a franchise."(See all of Rafer Guzman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 346 words, 06/30/10
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: MODERATE(cg) "...conversations between Bella and Edward, Bella and David, Edward and David, and Edward and Bella and David. This would play better if any of them were clever..."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 784 words, 06/29/10
Dan Kois, Village Voice/LA Weekly: MODERATE "...identifies itself early as a fetish object.... its silly explanatory flashbacks are so short that no one who hasn't studied the books will make head or tail of them..."(See all of Dan Kois's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 709 words, 06/30/10
Peter Howell, Toronto Star: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Same old vampires, third time around.... 'Twilight' is still at the kissing stage, and a bad case of 'bite-us interruptus' is starting to take hold."(See all of Peter Howell's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 569 words, 06/30/10
Liam Lacey, Toronto Globe & Mail: VERY GOOD(cg) "With the bigger story and more fully developed relationships... the first 'Twilight' film that feels like a real movie in its own right, not just a spin-off from a mass literary cult."(See all of Liam Lacey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 737 words, 06/30/10
Josep Parera, La Opinion: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Afirmar que 'Eclipse' es la mejor entrega de la serie 'The Twilight Saga' no es decir mucho. Tampoco es para lanzar las campanas al vuelo."(See all of Josep Parera's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 627 words, 06/30/10
Glenn Sumi, Toronto Now: WEAK(cg) "...delivers some welcome character backstories, a couple of new twists and a well-filmed climactic battle, but mostly it's brooding, bare chests and banal dialogue."(See all of Glenn Sumi's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 163 words, 07/01/10
KEY CITIES (17 Reviews)
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post: VERY GOOD(cg) "...succeeds with honor, if not panache, moving the story along with economy and focused momentum.... More deeply psychological than the first two..."(See all of Ann Hornaday's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 588 words, 06/30/10
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...directed in episodic spurts by David Slade, a Brit with a nasty teen-sex drama ('Hard Candy') and a stylish vampire horror pic ('30 Days of Night') to his credit..."(See all of Steven Rea's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 790 words, 06/29/10
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle/San Francisco Chronicle: MODERATE(cg) "...looks sharper and seems a tad more grown-up in the smooching, acting and violence departments.... I kind of wish Jacob would put on a shirt."(See all of Amy Biancolli's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 515 words, 06/30/10
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...a lighter, more watchable fantasy about young love between a young blood and an old old-fashioned vampire.... a breezy two hours -- [but] too chatty and too long..."(See all of Roger Moore's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 512 words, 06/30/10
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "What elevates 'Eclipse' above the previous 'Twilight' films is that it doesn't take itself so seriously, and Slade doesn't allow his stars to."(See all of Bill Goodykoontz's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 685 words, 06/30/10
Joy Tipping, Dallas Morning News: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...the best of the pack thus far. It's fast-paced, witty and uncloyingly sentimental... a well-paced blend of action and introspection..."(See all of Joy Tipping's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 603 words, 06/30/10
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post: VERY GOOD(cg) "...a finer outing than 2009's 'New Moon'.... remains foremost a flick for devotees, it has sturdier pleasures and takes on its emotional ambitions with renewed dedication."(See all of Lisa Kennedy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 501 words, 06/30/10
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe: MODERATE(cg) "...watching three teenagers prattle for two long hours about their feelings is noble. If the first two movies were 'get a room,' part three is 'get a therapist.' "(See all of Wesley Morris's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 743 words, 06/30/10
Clint O'Connor, Cleveland Plain-Dealer: VERY GOOD(cg) "Bella loves Edward, but she loves Jacob, too, just not as much as she loves Edward. But Edward knows that, and Jacob knows that, and Bella knows they know. Egads."(See all of Clint O'Connor's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 553 words, 06/30/10
Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "New director David Slade ('Hard Candy') does a creditable job of balancing the swoony romance with bloodthirsty violence and swift-cut action."(See all of Moira Macdonald's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 569 words, 07/02/10
Mike Russell, Portland Oregonian: MODERATE(cg) "...a bit of a wheel-spinner -- barely advancing the relationships in Stephenie Meyer's vampire-romance saga. But it's mostly solidly directed by David Slade..."(See all of Mike Russell's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 742 words, 06/30/10
Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...delivers an installment that's mostly on par with last year's 'New Moon,' with some improvements, but also in need of some improvements."(See all of Joe Williams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 349 words, 06/30/10
Steve Persall, St. Petersburg Times: FAIR(cg) "...leaves the sputtering story arc in idle, with only an uneasy truce between the vampire and werewolf clans amounting to anything new."(See all of Steve Persall's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 502 words, 06/30/10
Tom Long, Detroit News: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...there's a lot more action and humor in this third installment... But the movie still mostly consists of long mooning of romantic indecision..."(See all of Tom Long's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 666 words, 06/30/10
Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...ham-fisted and obvious, with a frustrating lack of imagination... But I'd be lying if I said 'Eclipse' didn't leave me curious as to what happens next."(See all of Rene Rodriguez's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 576 words, 06/30/10
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (7 Reviews)
Dan Kois, Village Voice/LA Weekly: MODERATE "...identifies itself early as a fetish object.... its silly explanatory flashbacks are so short that no one who hasn't studied the books will make head or tail of them..."(See all of Dan Kois's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 709 words, 06/30/10
Peter Keough, Boston Phoenix: POOR(cg) "...there's no excuse for Stephenie Meyer's terrible writing.... a tedious litany of trite, mawkish, repetitious dialogue from what might be the world's worst Y/A novel."(See all of Peter Keough's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 603 words, 07/01/10
Genevieve Koski, AV Club: MODERATE(cg) "...while its action highs are higher, its expositional lows are lower... a mostly for-fans-only proposition, but it has slightly more to offer outsiders than the previous two films..."(See all of Genevieve Koski's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 414 words, 06/29/10
Glenn Sumi, Toronto Now: WEAK(cg) "...delivers some welcome character backstories, a couple of new twists and a well-filmed climactic battle, but mostly it's brooding, bare chests and banal dialogue."(See all of Glenn Sumi's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 163 words, 07/01/10
Curt Holman, Atlanta Creative Loafing: WEAK(cg) "Director David Slade's sense of humor and snappy pace doesn't make up for the film's secondhand plotting and overall ridiculousness..."(See all of Curt Holman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 612 words, 06/30/10
Tricia Olszewski, Washington City Paper: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...suitable even for normal grown-ups. David Slade has ushered the series' angst toward true darkness, resulting in an 'Eclipse' that merits its title."(See all of Tricia Olszewski's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 602 words, 07/01/10
HIGHBROW PRESS (5 Reviews)
Bob Mondello, NPR All Things Considered: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...has pretty scenery, pretty people, pretty wolves and pretty broad winks at the audience... Director David Slade keeps the action brisk and the time-killing attractive."(See all of Bob Mondello's reviews...)(Listen to the full review...) 190 seconds, 06/29/10
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "I can't pretend that the third episode instilled a fever in my blood, but it didn't leave me cold. For the first time in the series I felt I'd seen a real movie."(See all of Joe Morgenstern's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 479 words, 07/02/10
A.O. Scott, New York Times: GOOD "...raises the level of romantic intensity considerably, and also nudges Bella's heretofore somewhat abstract longings decisively in the direction of physical lust..."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 972 words, 06/30/10
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter: VERY GOOD "...finally hits its stride with an entertaining mix of romance and action fantasy.... an unapologetic indulgence... The three leads shine..."(See all of Kirk Honeycutt's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 901 words, 06/27/10
Emanuel Levy, Cinema 24/7: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...more action and less mood... the young, sexy, and endlessly confused Bella Swan once again faces danger, albeit of a different kind."(See all of Emanuel Levy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 812 words, 06/27/10
A.O. Scott, New York Times: GOOD "...raises the level of romantic intensity considerably, and also nudges Bella's heretofore somewhat abstract longings decisively in the direction of physical lust..."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 972 words, 06/30/10
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "I can't pretend that the third episode instilled a fever in my blood, but it didn't leave me cold. For the first time in the series I felt I'd seen a real movie."(See all of Joe Morgenstern's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 479 words, 07/02/10
14.4 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse's reviews are separated by an average 14.4 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (49 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:The Twilight Saga: Eclipse's reviews cover 93.8% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 30,215 words involume (average is 20,172 words). Length:The film's reviews average 617 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Reviews Broke 2.2 Hours After Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse's reviews on average broke 2.2 hours after opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is The Twilight Saga: Eclipse's opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (49 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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