What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the third installment in the Twilight movie phenomenon is more mature than its predecessors but ultimately still age-appropriate for teens. As always, it's critical that parents understand that the story's central relationship is extremely intense -- almost to the point of addiction or obsession -- with Bella more than willing to forsake everything (even seeing her parents again) to turn into a vampire and join Edward for eternity. There's more vampire-on-vampire and wolf-on-vampire violence this time around; the climactic battle scene includes bloodless decapitations, dismemberments, and close-contact fighting. Compared to the first two movies, there's also quite a bit more sexuality -- with several passionate kisses and a frank discussion about virginity and first times. All of that said, like Stephenie Meyer's Twilight books, Eclipse has very little swearing and, except for one flashback scene, no drinking.
- Families can talk about Bella and Edward's relationship. In this movie, they discuss not only having sex (she wants to now, he wants to wait) but getting married. What are Bella's reasons for wanting to marry and "be turned" so quickly?
- Is Bella and Edward's romance a good role model for teenagers? Jacob tells Bella she would never have to change for him, but she still chooses Edward, for whom she must transform into a vampire to be with eternally. Do you think she made the right choice?
- Book fans, what do you wish had been included in the movie? What are the most important things from the Breaking Dawn book that you want featured in the final two Twilight movies?
- Talk about the larger-than-life phenomenon that the Twilight franchise has become. Are the movies and their stars becoming too overexposed?