New Moon Notes #10: ‘Son of Twilight’

The hype has only been building for the November release of Summit’s film version of New Moon since the surprise success of their relatively low budget Twilight last year. The big change we can expect, I think, consequent to this success being driven by readers of Mrs. Meyer’s books, is that New Moon and subsequent movies will adhere much more closely to the storyline than the Twilight film did. This franchise is a golden and the Goose laying the golden eggs is Mrs. Meyer.

For those who have trouble remembering New Moon (?), here is a quick review of the story along with the first of ten ‘talking points’ about the book for you to have in mind as you prepare this week to watch the new movie. You can also impress your friends with your vampire savvy when the subject of New Moon comes up. No one should be able to one-up you on how the film succeeded or failed in reproducing the novel’s magic when you can tell them about how New Moon is a story about Mormon vampires acting out scenes from Romeo and Juliet! Here is the New Moon story in a nutshell:

The New Moon Story: Romeo-Edward leaves fair Juliet-Bella!

Whoops! Bella Swan, all-too-human girlfriend, paper cuts a finger at her birthday party in the veggie-vampire Cullens’ home and Edward’s ‘brother’ Jasper attacks. Gallant young man that Edward is, at well over 100 years old if forever a teenager boy, he saves Bella’s life but decides he and his family must leave for her long term safety. Bella experiences the world without Edward, however, as the loss of “life, love, and meaning.” She is only rescued from her heart-break by a Native American friend, Jacob Black, who teaches her how to ride a motorcycle and revives her from her inner-Zombie. Turns out, though, that Jacob and his Quileute tribe have their secrets, too; they are werewolves (shape shifters) who transform to protect their reservation from vampires – and the mate of James, the killer vampire who tried to kill Bella in Twilight, is now after Bella to avenge his death. Edward, meanwhile, is told that Bella has committed suicide and on that false report tries to get the ancient vampires in Italy, the Volturi, to kill him to end his grief. Bella gets to Italy in time to save him, they survive a harrowing interview with the Volturi, who let them go on the condition that Bella be made a vampire soon. The Cullens back in Forks agree to Bella’s request that she be transformed – but not right away. Edward proposes marriage at story’s end.

What’s to talk about here? For starters, we need to see how New Moon is a lot like Twilight in order to see the differences and the key story points that made the novel a best-seller. With those cues in mind, you’ll know whether the film is just a CGI trailer for the novel or if it delivers the meaning in a new medium.

Counting down, here is New Moon Talking Point #10, ‘Son of Twilight:’

10. Son of Twilight: “Give us Twilight again, but with different folks”

Summit is marketing New Moon as ‘Twilight II’ and that’s more than just linkage savvy. New Moon really is Son of Twilight; you can almost imagine the Little, Brown editors saying to Mrs. Meyer after the first book’s success, “Let’s have another one just like that!” and her obliging them with a twin.

Did you miss the story echoes? Hmmm. As in “all the major plot points”?

In New Moon, we have the prolonged “progressive truth” revelation of her BFF’s supernatural secret identity, a big vampire scene in the circular meadow, Bella’s life being saved ex machina by boyfriend, her being assimilated into a magical family almost seamlessly, and the thriller rescue-finish featuring evil vampires, a long trip, and a cheery denouement.

What’s not to like? The formula is a winner! Tomorrow, more on Jacob and Edward as story echoes and complementary antagonists (can you say “Mercury and Sulphur”?)