The Twilight Saga: Extended Editions Triple Feature

Looking back, two years since the 'Twilight Saga' finally came to a close, it remains a mystery to me what exactly moviegoers find so appealing in the soap-opera-like melodrama about a love-triangle involving an impressionable immature girl, a much older and experienced vampire and a shirtless, ridiculously pining werewolf. Some will be quick to suggest to not bother putting so much thought and time into making sense of the series' preposterous popularity because what's the point of determining the logic behind certain trends, no matter how concerning or perplexing. Be that as it may, one can't help wonder because its success has made a lasting mark on cinema and vampire mythology. The story and individual struggles are rote, stale, unimaginative histrionics, and even worse, none of the characters are the least bit charming or endearing let alone likeable, sympathetic or worth watching for five long movies.

Though the fantasy romance series tries to broaden its fairy-tale world by incorporating a side drama via the cryptic vampire coven Volturi — and although fully realized, coming full circle in the final concluding chapter, it leaves a sorely disappointed spot —  each entry is tightly focused on the overcooked sensationalism of the three star-crossed lovers. Bewilderment over the excessively maudlin saga's success extends to the performances themselves, particularly the lifeless, wooden Kirsten Stewart in the lead as the sulky, pouty and lachrymose Bella Swan. Acting the self-pitying brat moaning over first world problems, Bella finds a chance to fulfill a death wish when falling for the exaggeratedly sullen bloodsucker Edward (equally dull and lifeless Robert Pattinson), except he abstains from feeding off humans, which I suppose would make him a humanitarian. Meanwhile, childhood friend and clingy werewolf Jacob (Taylor Lautner) sits on the sidelines like a pup whining for meager scraps of affection.

The whole thing is sad to watch because these teen characters are basically the source of their own problems, feigning and convincing themselves their self-ordained suffering is the epitome and definition of romance. I'm sure some will be quick to jump at the fact 'The Twilight Saga' is supposedly intended for young (tween) female audiences, not a grumpy sourpuss that apparently will find anything to complain about. But if that is the case — and I don't doubt producers had a particular demographic in mind when adapting Stephenie Meyer's equally popular book series — then it's concerning suggestible girls watch as a guy emotionally abuses a girl to the point of becoming self-destructively codependent and suicidally obsessive. In the end, and in spite of giving the first entry a very mild pass, I'm clearly not a fan. 

For more detailed reviews of the films, please click on the following links:

'Twilight'

'The Twilight Saga: New Moon'

'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse'

The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

Lionsgate and Summit Home Entertainment bring 'The Twilight Saga: Extended Editions Triple Feature' to Blu-ray on three Region A locked, BD50 discs with a code for each to own as UltraViolet Digital Copies. With a shiny, lightly-embossed slipcover, all three are housed inside a blue, eco-vortex keepcase with a swinging holder in the middle. This is the extended edition of each movie, where the first entry adds 5 minutes to the original runtime, making it 126 min long. The sequel is adds 8 minutes, making it 138 minutes, while the third installment adds 5 minutes for a total of 129 minutes. At startup, viewers are greeted by an animated main menu with music in the background and the usual options.

All three films arrive in this new triple-feature package with the same 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encodes (2.40:1) as previous editions. The color palette of the first film intentionally favors an overcast tone with primaries looking drained and skin tones very pale, though Native American characters appear healthy. The sequels lean more towards a yellowish hue where colors seem more natural and true to life. All three movies also have an unattractive artificial feel with a few distracting bits of noise and negligible banding. Blacks are rather inconsistent with average delineation in the shadows while contrast is well balanced but at times, running a tad hot. Fine object details and textures is where each movie pleases best, showing lots of clean, sharp lines in clothing, foliage and faces of the cast.

For more detailed reviews of the films, please click on the following links:

'Twilight'

'The Twilight Saga: New Moon'

'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse'

As with the video, so too with the audio. Each DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack is identical to previous releases, meaning it has some parts worth praising while others are somewhat disappointing for a fantasy series such as this. Although surrounds are often employed with rather strong, pleasing directionality and excellent panning effects, especially during action sequences, rear activity as a whole noticeably falls into pits of silence just as often, if not more, lacking any sense of ambience or presence. In the front soundstage, however, all three movies enjoy excellent channel separation and balance, exhibiting a detailed, extensive mid-range and a decently robust low-end. With well-prioritized and precise vocals, the lossless mix of each will in the end please listeners.

For more detailed reviews of the film, please click on the following links:

'Twilight'

'The Twilight Saga: New Moon'

'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse'

This repackaged edition of all three films is bare-bones release.

There's no point in hiding or sugar-coating my thoughts of 'The Twilight Saga' because try I might, I find so many more negatives than positives. Nonetheless, the franchise has amassed enormous success and a devoted following, warranting this extended edition triple feature. The Blu-ray arrives with the same audio and video presentation as previous release and fails to offer any new supplemental content. All the same, this latest edition is sure to please a dedicated glittery-vampire fanbase.