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The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 Extended Edition & Part 2 (Blu-ray) Official AVSForum Review

4K views 15 replies 9 participants last post by  ozar 
#1 ·


The Review at a Glance: (max score: 5 )

Film:


Extras:


Audio/Video total rating:

( Max score: 100 )
90





Studio and Year: Lionsgate – 2011/2012
MPAA Rating: Unrated/PG-13
Feature running time: 124/115 minutes
Genre: Drama/Horror

Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 2.40:1
Resolution: 1080p/24


Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Ashley Greene, Jackson Rathbone, Kellan Lutz, Nikki Reed, Michael Sheen, Dakota Fanning, Maggie Grace
Directed by: Bill Condon
Music by: Carter Burwell
Written by: Melissa Rosenberg based on the novel Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer
Region Code: A

Blu-ray Disc release Date: March 2, 2013
"Forever is only the beginning"


Film Synopsis:

Breaking Dawn Part 1 Extended Edition: In the highly anticipated fourth installment of The Twilight Saga, a marriage, honeymoon and the birth of a child bring unforeseen and shocking developments for Bella (Stewart) and Edward (Pattinson) and those they love, including new complications with werewolf Jacob Black (Lautner).


Breaking Dawn Part 2: In the final chapter of the Twilight Saga phenomenon, the birth of Bella and Edward's child brings conflict between Bella and her lifelong friend, Jacob, and an all-out war between the Cullens and the Volturi.


My Take:

Breaking Dawn Parts 1 & 2 are based on the fourth and final novel in the popular The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer. The story’s continuing narrative is spread over two films with Part 1’s Extended Edition containing an additional 8 minutes of new and extended scenes designed to help fans delve deeper in the series. Part 1 begins with Bella's marriage and honeymoon with Edward, during which she realizes that she is pregnant. Being the result of a human/vampire union the pregnancy is far from “traditional” as the fetus is growing at an accelerated rate and is slowly killing Bella.


In the meantime Jacob's wolf pack, not knowing what danger the unborn child may pose, plan to destroy it and kill Bella. Jacob stands against them, siding with the Cullen’s in protection of both Bella and the baby. Near death at the onset of the baby’s birth Edward turns Bella (by injecting her with his venom) in order to save her life. Now a vampire Bella sees the world quite differently, with renewed vigor, quick adaptation of her new “abilities” and fervent love of her husband and rapidly growing half human half vampire daughter Renesmee.


Word of Renesmee reaches the Volturi council who deem her a threat to vampire kind. Led by Aro, the Volturi descend upon Forks with plans to kill Renesmee and wipe out the Cullens. Forewarned by Alice the Cullens assemble other vampire clans from around the world to stand as witnesses and prove to the Volturi that Renesmee is not the threat they believe her to be. With Jacob and his wolf pack at their side the Cullens and their comrades come up against The Volturi in a standoff that could surely mean their demise.


Let me start off by saying that I haven’t followed this film series from beginning to end. I saw the original film Twilight and parts of New Moon since my daughter read the books and wanted to see them. I would like to acknowledge the popularity of the Twilight Sage film series as evidenced by its large following and box office success. Clearly meant to target the tween generation Twilight has become all the rage among a broader audience that seems to revel in it. I must admit to finding it mawkish with a buttery romanticism that reminds me of bubblegum soap opera. This isn’t helped by the wooden acting of lead Kristin Stewart who does little in service of the melodrama and romantic themes associated with the various plotlines.


With the final two installments, really one film, the series comes to its conclusion. Having not seen the theatrical cut of Part 1 I can’t say whether or not the additional eight minutes found in this Extended Edition adds anything of value but my guess would be that fans will appreciate it. Watching the Extended Edition of Part 1 followed by Part 2 I would say that they feel cohesive and build upon the narrative elements well enough. Part 1 as a standalone film is overtly melodramatic with little else to fall back on leaving it meatless and campy. Part 2 plays better with deeper albeit uneven plot points, fleshier action and of course the requisite level of camp. For devotees of the series I am certain that the climatic finale offers them a fulfilling end to Bella and Edward’s journey. While The Twilight Saga isn’t necessarily my cup of tea I appreciated the spirit of Breaking Dawn within the construct of series’ theme. In that light I am pretty confident that the “Twihards” reading this already have both of these Blu-ray offerings on preorder.


Film Ratings:

Breaking Dawn Part 1 Extended Edition:


Breaking Dawn Part 2:



Parental Guide:


The ratings are for disturbing images, violence, sexuality/partial nudity and thematic elements.



AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65

**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**


Audio: 90

(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)

  • Dynamics:

  • Low frequency extension:

  • Surround Sound presentation:

  • Clarity/Detail:

  • Dialogue Reproduction:




Video: 90

(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)

  • Resolution/Clarity:

  • Black level/Shadow detail:

  • Color reproduction:

  • Fleshtones:

  • Compression:


Breaking Dawn Part 1 Extended Edition comes to Blu-ray Disc from Lionsgate Home Video featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 35 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bit rate of 4.8 Mbps.

Breaking Dawn Part 2 comes to Blu-ray Disc from Lionsgate Home Video featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 26 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bit rate of 5.2 Mbps.


In looking these audio/video presentations they share many of the same elements. Breaking Dawn Part 2 has a more active soundtrack however Breaking Dawn Part has similar attributes thus my comments will apply to both. These are dark films both in tone and visual design and each video presentation capably conveys that. The use of muted secondary colors gives the film a stark visual aesthetic that coincides nicely with the subject matter. When brighter elements such as shades of red, or blue are present, they have a vivid and pleasing quality. More often than not fleshtones, especially among the undead, lean toward lighter/pale looking complexions however others have natural tonality and variation. Detail in dark areas and low lighting is good which provides discernible visibility within backgrounds. Blacks are respectably deep but occasionally crush leaves them appearing less gradational. High definition resolution is satisfying as close ups are well delineated and long range visuals are reasonably sharp. Overall I found these to be excellent renderings that looked great.


The lossless 7.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio surround mixes do an excellent job rendering each of these soundtracks. Dialogue has excellent intonation and clarity which allows even subtle changes in vocal pitch to be appreciable. These are well balanced audio presentations that quite often engage the entire system. Dynamic range is excellent and the soundstage has an open expression that allows its elements to extend well into the room. Discrete rear channel activity isn’t extensive however active moments, such as the extended battle sequence in Breaking Dawn Part 2, provide an enriching level of immersion generated by a seamless sound field. The LFE channel reproduces the film’s music and extended lower bass frequencies with room filling extension that strikes with palpable impact.

Bonus Features:


  • Breaking Dawn Part 1 Extended Edition

  • Theatrical and Extended Edition of film

  • Director Commentary

  • Ultraviolet Digital Copy

  • Digital Copy


  • Breaking Dawn Part 2

  • Audio commentary by director Bill Condon

  • (HD) Jump to…Edward – Watch only scenes containing Edward

  • (HD) Jump to….Jacob – Watch only scenes containing Jacob

  • (HD) Forever: Filming the Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (seven segments totaling 93 minutes) – View as an interactive picture-in-picture experience or stand alone
    1. Rebirth
    2. Renesmee
    3. The cottage
    4. The gathering
    5. The field
    6. The battle
    7. Forever
  • (HD) Two movies at once – 6 minute featurette

  • (HD) “The forgotten” music video by Green Day

  • Ultraviolet Digital Copy

  • Digital Copy




Final Thoughts:

Breaking Dawn Parts 1 & 2 are based on the fourth and final novel in the popular The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer. The story’s continuing narrative is spread over two films with Part 1’s Extended Edition containing an additional 8 minutes of new and extended scenes designed to help fans delve deeper in the series. While the Twilight Saga isn’t my cup of tea I gleaned enough from Breaking Dawn to get through it without a problem. These new Blu-ray releases from Lionsgate Home Entertainment feature excellent audio/video presentations, cast/crew insights and behind the scenes details that fans should enjoy.












Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews





Reference Review System:



JVC DLA-RS55 3D Ready 1080p High Definition Front Projector

(Calibrated with Calman 5 & C6 Meter from Spectracal )

Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen

Onkyo PR-SC5508 THX Ultra 2 Audio/Video Processor

Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier

Oppo BDP-103 Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)

Panasonic DMP-BDT310 3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)

Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)

Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)

System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule Pro HD Universal Remote Control

Canton "Ergo" Series speakers

Axiom Audio QS8 Quadpolar speakers

SV Sound PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)

APC AV S15BLK Power Conditioner/Surge Protector

Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling

Cool Components - CP-CP102 cooling package
 
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#3 ·
I thought Breaking Dawn Part 1 was pretty... lame. I didn't really see the point of the movie. The 2nd movie well, it was a lot better I thought, but it's still a Twilight movie.
 
#6 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by yadfgp  /t/1460617/the-twilight-saga-breaki...y-official-avsforum-review/0_20#post_23019935


Like I said in your announcement thread for these movies Ralph. You should have passed these off onto Lee! I know I would have!

Greetings,


Lee covers Anchor Bay,Image,and Twilight Time studio releases although I do forward him titles from the studios that I cover from time to time. This isn't somthing that I would ask of him..




Regards,
 
#8 ·
Definitely an acquired taste for most--I happen to like the series--watched Part 1 again last night and should get Part 2 from UPS sometime today. To be it is a perfectly fine guilty pleasure and I enjoy the series for what it is--and I like Kristin Stewart. So I'm looking forward to seeing Bella's transition in Part 2.
 
#9 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by spiritfox  /t/1460617/the-twilight-saga-breaki...lu-ray-official-avsforum-review#post_23038361


Definitely an acquired taste for most--I happen to like the series--watched Part 1 again last night and should get Part 2 from UPS sometime today. To be it is a perfectly fine guilty pleasure and I enjoy the series for what it is--and I like Kristin Stewart. So I'm looking forward to seeing Bella's transition in Part 2.


Agree Spiritfox. Definitley not for all but I for one enjoy it. I like Alice (Ashley Greene) she is gorgeous.
 
#10 ·
Thankfully, this movie buff didn't acquire a "taste" for this series. Just watching the myriad spoofs on YouTube was enough to put a chill down my spine.
I especially love the clips that go through a bunch of Kristen Stewart's scenes to show her "acting" ability. I have to wonder: is she sleeping with all her directors?


I feel sorry for Ralph. Poor chap, having to wade through these in the name of A/V "science."
 
#16 ·
Im one of a few that actually enjoy these movies...
Wait - count me in, too! :)

I hesitated for a long while before indulging in these films, but happened onto a great deal for the complete saga, so last night I finished watching the last two films of the bunch, and I kind of enjoyed them. I doubt that anybody was thinking any of these films would win any awards, but they weren't all that bad for what they were. In fact, the special effects representing Kristen Stewart's weight loss in Breaking Dawn Part 1 were pretty amazing. Who knows, I might even watch the saga again some day.
 
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