The second chapter in the “Twilight” franchise – “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” – represented a modest bump up in quality.
But “Twilight” devotees would have bought “New Moon” on DVD even if every critic on the planet had trashed it.
So while WWTW scored the film during its theatrical release, here’s a peek at the extras you’ll get with the two-disc set available now.
The first disk features running commentary from “New Moon” director Chris Weitz, but the best reason to scoop up the DVD set is for the intriguing six-part documentary.
First, you’ll have to suffer through some bland reflections from the cast about reuniting for a second “Twilight” feature. They’re like a family now, and shooting a new installment was a blast!
It’s probably the truth, but the lack of interesting sound bites make this portion for diehards alone.
Next, we get a glimpse at the man who took over the franchise – director Chris Weitz. His resume includes the flat-out great “About a Boy,” so it’s no surprise he was able to convey the sensitive nature of Bella’s bruised heart strings. Weitz confesses the pressure that came with the gig – screw it up, and you’ll forever be hounded by traumatized teen girls.
The documentary really starts to simmer when the focus turns to production design. Here, we learn about all the thought that went into the costumes, the sets and even the Latin writing on the wall of the Volturi chamber.
We also learn seemingly insignificant parts of the film’s creation, like why Jacob’s home is red, and not a garish green, and how Edward’s sartorial choices came to be. Yet it’s these small flourishes that add texture to a film, even if you never directly notice them.
And, frankly, it’s just the kind of intimate, knowing detail that makes DVD extras worth their while.
The documentary take a comic turn when we see Phil Tippett, the FX guru who helped bring the “Star Wars” saga to life, running around the set holding a cardboard sillouette of a wolk in his hands.
It’s a visual marker for the actors to react to during the shoot – just in case they can’t conjure up a pack of wolves in their minds at a moment’s notice.
Now, that’s acting. It’s also an example of how technology only goes so far when creating modern cinema.
Other goodies in the two-fer pack include music videos connected to the film featuring Death Cab for Cutie, Anya Marina and Mutemath.
(Photo: The Wolf Pack makes its entrance in “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” now available on DVD/Summit Home Entertainment)
Related posts:
on 
on 
on 
on 
