As the films in the Twilight series have steadily improved in quality since the 2008 original, it’s not only appropriate but completely gratifying that Breaking Dawn – Part 2 is by far the best yet.

After the plodding fan service of Breaking Dawn – Part 1, which turned 10 minutes of story into a two-hour tribute to Bella and Edward’s relationship, Part 2 moves (comparatively) briskly towards a sweeping climax that not only brings the franchise full circle but delivers a rousing adventure that should appeal even to non-fans.

Picking up immediately after the events of Breaking Dawn – Part 1, Bella (Kristen Stewart) was transformed into a vampire in order to save her life during childbirth. Equipped with superhuman strength and speed that exceeds even that of the Cullens, Bella tries to get her new abilities under control, even as she embarks on motherhood with newborn Renesmee.

Much to Bella and Edward’s (Robert Pattinson) dismay, Jacob (Taylor Lautner) imprinted on Renesmee — he formed an indelible bond with the child — and vows to protect her at any cost. But when Renesmee is mistaken for a deadly immortal child, the newlyweds are forced to enlist him — and anyone else they can find — to stop Aro (Michael Sheen) from sentencing her and the Cullens to death for harboring what they believe is the most dangerous creature in the vampires’ world.

As a single-serving film and a finale for the series, Breaking Dawn – Part 2 fully satisfies. Compared to its predecessor, which languished in the minutiae of Bella and Edward’s wedding and, of course, consummating that marriage, it’s a gauntlet of activity, throttling through the set-up of the Volturi’s vendetta against the Cullens and wrapping up with a truly epic battle, and one made even more spectacular because it’s absolutely violent as hell.

Moreover, screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg and director Bill Condon stage a confrontation that manages to have real emotional stakes. As rousing as is the proposition of literally ripping people’s heads off — which happens a lot – the emotional dimensions of each triumph or tragedy are always accurately pinpointed and maximized. And especially fans will find themselves on a roller coaster of surprise and shock as the fates are determined for characters they both love and hate.

Even as the ensemble cast seems to quadruple in size — if only to provide more background action in the final fight — Pattinson, Stewart, and Lautner do their best work of the series, as if seeming to save their effort in order to leave the best impression upon their fans, not to mention the annals of cinema.

That said, Lautner still struggles to differentiate between the petty sniping of adolescence and a more mature, well-intentioned sarcasm. But Stewart embraces Bella’s sense of empowerment as if it’s her own, and Pattinson wisely steps out of the way to allow his co-star the full berth of a transformation that will completely thrill fans as much as it (partially) redeems her character to critics.

While I won’t spoil any of its surprises, the final act of this film ranks among the most surprising and satisfying of 2012, and that’s no small feat. Further, Condon has really pulled off something with this final installment that seemed previously impossible — namely, making a real movie, or the closest thing to it, not just a Twilight movie.

Ultimately, Breaking Dawn – Part 2 is richly rewarding — a thrill ride that will resonate with fans, and remarkably, connect even with non-fans — and it leaves behind a legacy that deserves to be remembered by both.

Watch the Celebuzz interview with The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2 director Bill Condon below.

After millions of books and movie tickets, the case for Twilight as a phenomenon has long since been made. But according to Bill Condon, the director of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2, a very simple and straightforward idea is at the heart of its appeal.

“It’s basically the story of a woman who sticks to what she thinks is right and everyone tells her she’s wrong,” Condon tells Celebuzz at the movie’s worldwide premiere Monday night. “And in the end, she gets what she wants.”

Condon directed both parts of Breaking Dawn, a sprawling finale for a series that has gotten more and more epic with each installment. But even with such an expansive team to work with, and especially such a large ensemble of actors, the director insists that everyone really came together and became a family during the course of shooting.

“A lot of them have grown up together, let’s face it,” Condon says. “But even the ones who are new to it I think got to really bond. We all got to know each other.”

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 opens in theaters nationwide Thursday, Nov. 15. Watch the rest of Celebuzz’ black carpet interview above, and then check out our interviews below with the cast from the film’s Los Angeles press day.

Twi-hards, prepare for a whole new take on the Twilight series.

As the famed film franchise comes to an end, Breaking Dawn – Part 2‘s director Bill Condon promises one explosive finale to the vampire saga starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson.

“It feels like a real movie as opposed to a Twilight movie,” Condon, 57, told Celebuzz. “This one was more of a traditional, really heart-moving kind of tentpole movie.”

“Getting inside Twilight, it’s almost its own genre. Certainly, the first movie was like that,” he explained. “It takes time to slow down for thing other movies don’t. It becomes almost fetishitic.”

Speaking of fetishes, lead actors Stewart, 22, and Pattinson, 26 — who are also dating offscreen — definitely didn’t hold back during the love scenes between their characters, Bella and Edward respectively.

“The sex scene in this one is pretty ridiculous,” Pattinson told The Kyle & Jackie O show while promoting the film in Australia.

“It also can’t just be a normal sex scene,” he added, describing what it was like to shoot the scene with his real-life girlfriend.

“It’s supposed to be about, like, the greatest vampire sex you’ve ever had. So a lot of it was just closeups on me and Kristen’s faces, but there was no one else there.”

See more of our interview with the cast of Breaking Dawn – Part 2 below.

She’s known as much to Twilight fans for her off-screen relationships with Robert Pattinson and Snow White and the Huntsman director Rupert Sanders as she is for her portrayal of Bella Swan, the conflicted mortal in the middle of a supernatural love triangle.

Though her lovelife hit a rough patch this summer when Stewart briefly called it quits with Pattinson in July, the 22-year-old actress could not contain her excitement about her character’s on-screen romance in the Twilight Saga’s final chapter, Breaking Dawn – Part 2.

“I love the film,” she said. “It’s romantic, it’s what is attractive about it, it’s what is so stirring.”

Stewart relished the chance to go full vampire and get a piece of the action. Unfortunately, on her second day of shooting a climactic action scene, she broke her thumb.

In the final chapter, Bella and Edward’s daughter Renesmee is targeted by the Volturi. Played by 12-year-old Mackenzie Foy, Renesmee grows at an unnatural speed under the undead eyes of her parents.

“Some people have really strong natural instincts, a really strong desire to be a mom,” said Stewart. “There was never enough about that in the script for me.”

Check out the rest of what she had to say above, and watch the film’s theatrical trailer below. The Twilight Saga – Breaking Dawn Part 2 opens on Nov. 16.

After four films, Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) are ready to write the final pages of an epic romance.

But in a new TV spot exclusive to Celebuzz, Edward confesses that his impression of Bella has been repeatedly upended since the first time he met her.

“I’ve got a bad habit of underestimating you. Every obstacle I thought you would face, I thought you wouldn’t overcome it. But you just did.”

Edward says that he’s grateful for the opportunity to feel alive again after literally centuries of being a member of the undead.

“I’ve never thanked you for this extraordinary life,” Edward gushes.

Thankfully, Bella reciprocates his feelings, and then some.

“Nobody’s ever loved anybody as much as I’ve loved you.”

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 opens in theaters nationwide November 16. Watch Celebuzz’ exclusive clip above, and the theatrical trailer for the film below.

Here’s one more thing to be thankful for this holiday weekend, Twi-hards.

Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn director Bill Condon took to The Twilight Saga’s Twitter account on Thursday to unleash the first image from the two-part Twilight finale Breaking Dawn, which is currently filming. And while the image—a hand clutching a fist full of feathers—might not be terribly illuminating, it sure does provide some speculative fodder.

Condon included the following message along with the image:

“Happy Thanksgiving and a crazy Black Friday to all of you and yours.”

No doubt Twilight fans worldwide will gobble it up with glee.

How do you think the image will fit into Breaking Dawn? Share your theories in the comments section.

The scene where Bella Swan gives birth to Renesmee is perhaps the most infamous scene in Breaking Dawn. And as production for the big-screen adaptation draws closer, it’s also been one of the most hotly contested: Will it be gory enough? Too gory? In 3D? Will it even be included at all?

Luckily, with the clock ticking, screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg and director Bill Condon appear to be reaching an accord on the matter: Yes, it will be “intense.” But “intense” doesn’t necessarily translate to “graphic.”

Rosenberg tells E! Online that she’s been meeting with Condon in Baton Rouge, Louisiana—where BD will be filming—to work on script rewrites and reveals,

“[W]e’re working on it to be as intense as it is in the book…I don’t think it’s about the amount of blood you show. It’s about the intensity of it. It’s on their faces. It’s all from Bella’s point of view when you’re seeing what’s going. It should feel visceral. I think it’s going to be pretty intense.”

Given that Breaking Dawn begins lensing in November, Rosenberg and Condon better figure things out in a hurry.

Which would you prefer for Breaking Dawn‘s birthing scene: Graphic and gory, or somewhat tasteful and implied? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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Bill Condon really knows how to stay in touch with the kids. The Dreamgirls director has been slated to direct Breaking Dawn, the final film of the Twilight Saga, and before winning the hearts and minds of the general public, he decided to reach out to the people who really matter: the Twihards.

Condon posted a note on the Twilight Saga Facebook page to introduce himself to the fans and let them know that he is dedicated to making a film they will enjoy.

Condon also displayed some humor, mentioning that during his researching for Breaking Dawn he turned a corned of his office into Hot Topic. “I realize that this barely qualifies me for ‘newborn’ status in the universe you’ve been living inside for a few years now, ” Condon writes, “but a guy’s gotta start somewhere.”

Condon also took time to talk about his vampire background and talk about Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner:

Like many of you, I’ve always been slightly obsessed with vampires, dating back to the prime-time series DARK SHADOWS, which I followed avidly as a kid. But that alone hadn’t been enough to get me interested in making a vampire movie, even though my early screenwriting and directing efforts grew out of a great love for horror movies and thrillers. Since making GODS AND MONSTERS thirteen years ago, however, I’ve been yearning for a return to a story with Gothic overtones.

[...]

I’m a huge admirer of the already-iconic Kristen, Robert, and Taylor, and wanted to be the one to work with them as they face the challenges of bringing your beloved characters to the end of their journeys. Really, what could be more fun than that?

Well, Twihards, what do you think of Condon’s letter? Was it sincere or a put-on to win fan support? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Don’t forget to check out all our Twilight Saga coverage at The Forks Report.

The long search for a director of the final Twilight movie is finally over. Bill Condon, who’s helmed such pictures as Dreamgirls and Chicago, has officially accepted Summit Entertainment’s offer to direct Breaking Dawn, leaving fellow contenders such as Sophia Coppola, M. Night Shyamalan, Stephen Daldry and R-Pattz fave Gus Van Sant in the dust.

Condon said of the decision to take on the project, 

“I’m very excited to get the chance to bring the climax of this saga to life onscreen. As fans of the series know, this is a one-of-a-kind book, and we’re hoping to create an equally unique cinematic experience.”

Does this mean that the birth scene will be transformed into a big musical number?

As for the really big question—whether Condon will be directing one or two movies to bring the big-screen Twilight saga to a close—the jury’s still out; according to Summit Entertainment, no decision has been made as of yet. Though no shooting schedule for the project has been set, it’s believed that production may begin this fall. (Meanwhile Eclipse, the third installment in the series, is set to hit theaters on June 30—as if you didn’t already have that memorized.)

Twilight authoress Stephenie Meyer was quick to heap praise on Condon, enthusing,

“I’m so thrilled the Bill wants to work with us. I think he’s going to be a great fit, and I’m excited to see what he does with the material.”

But what about you, readers? Do you think Condon will make a good fit for the project? Sound off in the comments section!

And for all things Twilight-related, makesure to drop by The Forks Report.

Is Summit Entertainment taking a radical left turn and turning the final Twilight installment into a musical? Director Bill Condon, who lensed the big-screen sing-alongs Dreamgirls and Chicago, has reportedly been offered the directing gig for Breaking Dawn, the last installment of the vampire movie saga. Condon is said to be in negotiations to accept the gig.

Condon reportedly beat out Sofia Coppola, M. Night Shyamalan, Stephen Daldry and Gus Van Sant for the movie, which will begin filming in November and, as many predicted, will reportedly be broken up into two flicks.

Can’t wait to see what kind of big musical number they come up with for the birth scene…

Do you think Condon is a good fit for Breaking Dawn—if the rumor is actually true? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

And for up-to-the-minute news and pictures of everything Twilight-related, visit The Forks Report!

No question, the Twilight Saga movie series has taken a big, bloody bite out of the box office. And for Breaking Dawn, the final installment (or is that installments?) of the series, Summit Entertainment appears to be aiming for critical acclaim as well.

The hunt is currently on for a director to handle helming duties for Breaking Dawn, and according to EW.com, Summit is going big with its list of candidates. How big? Oscars big. The heavy hitters being approached about the project include such Oscars nominees and winners as Milk director Gus Van Sant (a favorite candidate of series star Robert Pattinson), Lost in Translation director Sofia Coppola and Dreamgirls helmsman Bill Condon.

Why not throw Steven Spielberg into the mix while you’re at it, Summit?

The pool of directorial candidates was recently reduced by one when Chris Weitz, who handled directing duties for Twilight sequel New Moon, announced that he wouldn’t be pursuing the Breaking Dawn directing gig.

Which director do you think should wrap up the Twilight series? Drop your suggestions in the comments section!