I can’t deny it. Since the release of the first Twilight movie in 2008, I have had nothing positive to say about any of the installments (except maybe for New Moon, because who didn’t get excited when Taylor Lautner first loses his shirt?). Much like the half of the world that was Team Jacob, I fell in love with the literary series. I wanted someone to love me so much that they would make snide comments at the pasty and cold vampire who had captured and then stomped on my heart. It took me quite a while to come down from the Twilight high. The catalyst that brought me back down to earth came in the form of Catherine Hardwick’s lacking attempt at the first picture. Though it was hard for me to admit, most of what I found wrong with the movie are the same faults I retrospectively recognized in the books: the writing was trite and the characters were annoying. The direction and effects may have gotten better with New Moon (Chris Weitz), Eclipse (David Slade), and Breaking Dawn Part 1 (Bill Condon), but Melissa Rosenberg’s interpretation of the already overly-clichéd novels remained intact. Still, the directors and writer can’t be blamed. Had they had better material to work with, I would not be going on this rant. The true culprit is Stephanie Myers.

If you are an enduring Twi-hard, you probably want to stab me with a sharp garlic-laced stake right now. Fear not, cheesy movie-lover! I really enjoyed Breaking Dawn Part 2 (maybe I should have started with that, huh?). This is the first time that I didn’t spend the entire movie rolling my eyes; in fact, they were glued to the screen. Though I already knew the outcome, Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) managed to keep me intrigued (especially with the unexpected twist) and as usual, the stills taken of Washington State and Vancouver were breathtaking. I even have to hand it to Kristen Stewart: she turned miserably-meek Bella Swan into somewhat of a badass. My only complaint about the movie was the animatronic baby they used to play Renesmee Cullen. One would think that with the advances our society has made in fields of animation and technology, the tot could have been made to look a little more real. Instead, she looks like she is being projected onto the screen (by a really old projector, mind you) until they finally replace her with real-life Mackenzie Foy. Granted, I know it can’t be an easy feat to try to create a baby that grows every five seconds; but, if James Cameron and his crew could create award-winning blue Avatars, the special effects team for Breaking Dawn Part 2 could have upped their game a little.

Regardless of my complaints, I can say without reservation that this is the best movie in the installment. I did not feel the disappointment I did when finishing Breaking Dawn the book. Bill Condon, the cast and crew brought to life the slick and action-infused world Stephanie Myers wishes she had captured on paper.