The end has finally arrived for The Twilight Saga, in a fifth film that brings the story to a crescendo of decapitating action before freeing its vampires and shape-shifters to follow their dreams.  If, indeed, vampires and shape-shifters dream, since they do not seem to sleep.  In any case, Breaking Dawn Part 2 is a fitting finale to the series.

I liked the first Twilight film, back in 2008, but I have not liked any of the others since very much.  This one is actually decent, although it does share the same slow pace as Breaking Dawn Part 1, which I found interminably boring.  But here things are building toward a final resolution, one way or another, for the folks from Forks.

A whole host of other characters is introduced — vampires from other parts of the world, recruited to witness that Bella and Edward’s child is not an immortal — and their introduction is most welcome.  Different attitudes, powers and appearances contribute a freshness to the proceedings.  On the other hand, this deprives the regulars from larger roles, which may or may not be a good thing, depending on one’s perspective.  The child at the center, Renesmee, is the lynchpin of the plot but, unfortunately, displays little personality of her own.  Someday, perhaps when Stephanie Meyer needs more money, half-human half-vampire Renesmee will be granted her own book (and movie) series.

Two other things impressed me about Bill Condon’s movie.  The first is the way in which the big winter snow battle was handled.  While not as epic as Eisenstein’s incredible “Battle on the Ice” in Alexander Nevsky, this battle between good and evil is nicely handled in terms of narrative cohesion.  For those like me who haven’t read the books and were unaware of certain characters’ fates, this battle scene is brutally effective, particularly in the manner in which it concludes.  And speaking of conclusions, the closing credits sequence is beautifully rendered, including not only the Breaking Dawn Part 2 participants but everyone who has had a major or minor role in any of the five Twilight Saga movies.  It is a great way to wrap up the series.

The lasting impression I have from The Twilight Saga is one I did not expect.  If all the vampires and shape-shifters and humans can find a way to coexist with each other, respecting certain boundaries and resisting their natural predatory urges, then perhaps it shouldn’t be so difficult for regular people to do so as well.  Maybe the whole thing is a parable about living together in peace and harmony.  If so, it’s a lesson well stated.  ☆ ☆ 1/2.  23 November 2012.