As movies go, the Twilight Saga films have been an excercise in terrible.  Bad acting, terrible production value and effects, and a cringe worthy love story.  So when I say that Breaking Dawn: Part 1 is the best one yet, remember what I'm comparing it to.

In this installment Edward and Bella finally marry and go on a honey moon, only to return with her pregnant with a "baby" that is killing her.  Pregnant?  Yes, even though Edward doesn't have a heart beat he apparently... nevermind.  Anyway, this thing growing in Bella is an abomination to the Jacob's shape shifting community and it causes a huge rift.

This film was a lot more bearable because there was no artificial teenage angst in their relationship.  The acting was a tiny bit better, and the production seemed of slightly better quality.  Kristin Stewart looked absolutely beautiful before she managed to look absolutely horrific (thanks to digital enhancement).  I'm just thankful they didn't make her actually lose that much weight.

Ultimately though, this is still a giant, ridiculous, soap opera.  I don't understand why people unfamiliar with the story would even see this film.  And to the critics who think the Twihards will be disappointed in this installment:  what?!  Trust me, they knew what was coming and it is all handled really well given the material they were working with.  $138 million says they don't care either way, they already saw it.

SO HOW DOES IT END?

I'm not sure if this give me more or less cred around here (probably less), but I read all four books.  Hence, I knew what was coming.  And I'm the first to admit it's absurdly silly.  So Edward knocks Bella up and the baby is killing her until she starts drinking blood.  Then when it comes time to deliver Edward has to bite the baby out of her.  You see, his teeth are the only thing strong enough to get the baby out.  Jacob is committed to killing this abomination of a child (a little girl named Renesme) but right when he's about to do it, he imprints on her.  That means he loves her.  Like really, really loves her (romantically) and will now protect her until she's old enough to make out with.

Oh, and Bella dies during delivery so they shoot her full of Edward's venom AND he bites her all over to make her a vampire.  I have to admit, the finale was pretty cool as Bella transformed from a gaunt, sickly skeleton into a beautiful vampire while she slept, only to open her eyes as the final shot.  They were RED!!

If you have no interest in Twilight run in the other direction.  But if you get a kick out of these films, this one is relatively well done.  I give it 3 out of 5.