robert pattinson and kristen stewart

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 is a mix of crazy, violent, funny and – makes fun of itself. Finally the series acknowledges its own absurdity… or as some would rather say, fantasy. Or maybe it didn’t but it was so over-the-top that you think it was planned all along.

Bella (Kristen Stewart) has now married vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson) and given birth to a beautiful child. Bella is a vampire for the first time, discovering her ‘newborn’ self and unique talents. Now, she can enjoy amazing strength and unstoppable speed – and discovers her unique gift, shielding others.

For the first time in Twilight history, Stewart is actually bearable to watch. Perhaps it was the coloured contact lenses that Stewart wore that finally put a twinkle in her eyes when she delivered her lines?

Jacob (Taylor Lautner) now has a permanent fixture in Bella’s life – he has “imprinted” on Bella’s newborn daughter, , which means he will protect and love her forever and ever and ever. And ever.

Both romantic and creepy. Oh and did I mention that Lautner not only took off his shirt but he stripped down to his underwear?! The audience squealed in delight. Ladies, remember Lautner is only 20?!

When the Volturi catch on that this child exists, the Cullens feel threatened and travel the world to find their other vampire friends to help them with their army. The multi-cultural vampire posse descends upon Cullen territory, awaiting the epic confrontation with vampire royalty and law-makers, the powerful Volturi.

It all leads up to the dramatic standoff between the Cullens, along with the werewolves, and the Volturi.

The Cullens try to convince the Volturi that Renesmee is not immortal. Alice shows a vision of the future but the Aro, the leader of the Volturi, played by the brilliant Michael Sheen, is not convinced.

In a shocking move, the war begins. It was the best action scene in the entire series. Be prepared for violence and blood – oh wait, the cold ones don’t have blood!

I won’t reveal the twist but it reminds me of a scene from a soap opera… very dramatic and yet you can’t help but snicker. I caught myself chuckling throughout the movie, at some of the lines as well as some of the over-the-top cheesiness and self-mockery. It was the perfect send-off to the series.

Rated PG-13 Running time: 115 minutes.

I find it fascinating that so many moms are enthralled with the Twilight series.

Frankly, so am I! I’m really not embarrassed to admit it either. But should I be? Should I, along with all the other adult women who have become obsessed and addicted, do the walk of shame?

Why are so many older women so darn smitten?

I was a HUGE fan of the Anne Rice vampire series. Historical epics, especially during the American Civil War and Renaissance times, have always intrigued me. Throw in a few blood-thirsty vampires and I’m hooked.

But Twilight is based in modern day high school…uh teenagers??? So what is the appeal?

Are moms missing the romance? Do we crave the escape? Do wish we were teenagers again?

I asked a few Twilight Twitter moms why they love the Twilight series and here is what they said:

“I used to be the one who made fun of everybody else who ‘loved’ these books and movie – I would roll my eyes, shaking my head in disgust – I mean, really! A teenage romance about a vampire? And werewolves? Gag! Then, one day, I saw Twilight on TV… and I instantly fell in love. Despite the less than Oscar-worthy performances, I loved it. The next day, I bought all the books and have not been able to put them down! They are truly addictive, and it’s easy to get carried away in the love story. I guess it’s because we can all remember the first time we fell in love, the passion we had as teenagers… I loved New Moon, too – I thought the movie was so well done! Even the acting. Yes, I’m a Twilight addicted mama, and proud of it! The books keep me up way past my bedtime, and I only have one book left to read. I am not ashamed to say I have a Twilight obsession!” @MrsLoulou

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“Twilight is an escape from an otherwise predictable life. The romance, the mystery, the thrill of the forbidden all contribute to the appeal. The series made me feel young and in love. It’s been forever since I felt so enraptured with a series of books. I couldn’t put it down the first time, I read all four in two weeks. My heart raced, I dreamed I was Bella and I lost myself in the romance.” @LiteMochaMom

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“I think for me Twilight is such a draw because it gives me a bit of escapism while at the same time the story, while a fantasy is very relatable. The issues and characters are in a sense charactures of real life. The vampire theme seems to run in the background in a lot of ways. And Edward and Jacob are both pretty romantic hotties.” @seeJillrun

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“I have always enjoyed reading fantasy books. So when a friend told me about Twilight I decided I needed to pick up the books. I started reading the first book and was hooked at once. For me I think the biggest draw was the romance. The story is also a quick read. I read all 4 books in about 2 weeks. I think Moms are attracted to the story because it is a great escape. The books were easy to read and quick. It was easy to get immersed in the world of Bella and Edward. It is every woman’s dream to fall head over heels, deeply in love with someone. And every woman understands the draw of a man that is just wrong for us. It’s kind of the bad boy crush.

I think to every Mom the story of Twilight takes us back to when we were young. We can escape the chaos of kids, husbands, work, the laundry and housework for a few moments and live in the romantic world of Bella.” @ImFreckles

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I love Twilight because of Edward Cullen. And of course, because Robert Pattinson is such a hunk… (and the fact that he is only 23 and British makes me sigh). Back to the character… Edward Cullen is the kind of leading man that lives only in a woman’s dream. He’s intelligent, romantic AND stunning. In this day in age, with so many obligations, responsibilities and distractions, romance is lost. Chivalry is dead. It is innate for most women to crave fairy-tale love and romance.

It’s the Romeo and Juliet, Beauty and the Beast theme that gets me every time. Whether fictional or not, when I see two people who love each other and can’t be together, I am destroyed.

The idea that Bella is human and Edward is immortal, the fact that they can never be together, pulls my heart strings. That Edward is damned to be a ‘monster’ for eternity and that he would have to kill Bella to make her become a vampire, that he would damn her soul by taking her, is strangely romantic.

I’ve read the first two books and saw “New Moon” on opening weekend. I’m so excited to see what happens next… and millions of other moms like me are also anxiously waiting to watch the film adaptation of “Eclipse” next year. In the meantime, I’ll keep dreaming and drooling.

robert pattinson and kristen stewart

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 Really Goes Out with a Bang!

Twilight Moms: Why Do Women Love Twilight?