'Eclipse' suffers from a boring screenplay

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE — ★★ — Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner; also shown in large-screen format; rated PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity, brief gore); in general release

They might not be able to make a genuinely good movie out of any author Stephenie Meyer's best-selling "Twilight" novels.

After all, "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" had the best chance of any of them to date. It had a more imaginative director at the helm ("30 Days of Night's" David Slade), and it had more action than its two predecessors did combined.

Yet despite that, it may be the biggest disappointment of the bunch. It's still has the angst-filled melodrama that made the others so insufferable, and its attempts to be funny come off as cutesy and forced. Worse still, it's boring for long stretches.

So, while the hordes of fanatical "Twi-hards" may enjoy it, this film will not win over any casual fans or newcomers.

In "Eclipse," Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is preparing for graduation and even bigger things. Her vampire lover, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), has agreed to "vamp" Bella and wants to marry her.

But Bella's relationship with Edward has driven a wedge between her and her childhood friend Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), who cares about Bella as more than a friend.

Edward and Jacob may have to put their differences aside for Bella's sake, though. Evil vampire Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard) has returned, vowing revenge.

There's a new threat looming, as well — namely, a horde of vampiric "Newborns," led by Riley Biers (Xavier Samuel).

Unfortunately, Slade and screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg give most of the time to the dull, repetitive romance material.

Give credit to Lautner, though. He does his best with this material, while both Stewart and Pattinson look bored and uninspired.

"The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" is rated PG-13 and features strong violent content and imagery (animal and vampiric attacks, including beheadings and disembowelings, a stabbing, and violence against women), suggestive language and references (including some sexual allusions), scattered mild profanity, and brief bloody imagery. Running time: 124 minutes.

e-mail: jeff@desnews.com