“The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” is superior to its two predecessors in every possible way. The mythology finally feels comfortable in its own skin, aware of both its strengths and limitations, and appears to be striding confidently into the future. Like the “Harry Potter” franchise, it apparently took “Twilight” a few films to get up to speed.

With her high school graduation only weeks away, Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) has a significant decision to make: accept her boyfriend, vampire Edward’s (Robert Pattinson) proposal of marriage and go through with her plan to become a vampire, too, or admit that she also has strong feelings for werewolf Jacob (Taylor Lautner), Edward’s sworn enemy.

Either choice will grievously hurt someone she loves.

Meanwhile, just up the road in Seattle, Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard replacing Rachelle Lefevre) is creating an army of young, powerful vampires to hunt down and kill Bella in revenge for the loss of her mate at Edward’s hands. As she and her minions sweep down on the small town of Forks, vampires and werewolves carve out an uneasy alliance to protect the one human they both care about.

Thankfully, “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” doesn’t have the problem that plagued its successors — it isn’t mind-numbingly boring. Director David Slade (“Hard Candy,” “30 Days of Night”) is used to making thrillers bending toward horror, so he knows how to ramp up the PG-13 tension, including making this the most violent (yet bloodless) of all the films. Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg, who seemed incapable of finding a dramatic bone in her body for the first films, has really come into her own here, even going so far as to add a lot more humor, both effectively and appropriately.

Though she does not even attempt to explain the who/what/why (she assumes you’ve seen the previous films and remember their salient points) a series of flashbacks explaining the origins of Fork’s supernatural residents enriches the mythology. Ultimately, however, even with a bit more of a pulse, “Eclipse” is just more of the same. A plot synopsis of the last two films would be indistinguishable. All the more reason to praise “Eclipse’s” dramatic arc, as it proves just how much better “New Moon” could have been.

“The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” is full of more sullen glances and morose looks. This has to be the most dull love triangle ever set to film. We may sympathize with the difficulty of Bella’s decision, but now that we’re three films in, she just comes across as indecisive and careless.

Great swaths of the film are taken up by conversations representing every possible permutation between the threesome. And though Bella continues to be utterly unworthy of all the adulation heaped on her, she is, at least, somewhat humanized this time.

That’s saying quite a lot since Stewart’s Bella has so little personality, she might as well already be one of the undead.

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This Summer movie season has had its share of successes – Iron Man 2, Toy Story 3, and even surprise hit The Karate Kid have all fared well at the box office, but movie fans have known that the return of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series had to be included in their predictions of the Summer’s biggest hits at box office. With fan and critic screenings taking place long before the movie’s release this week, the players involved in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse are not only up against an army of newborn vampires, but the expectations of a Summer box office that has lagged on finding enormous blockbusters, along with the unshakable expectations of fans (who we’ll admit will end up seeing the movie anyway) who are already lining up to see the movie with a level of commitment that puts Black Friday sales to shame.

Twilight‘s first two chapters, Twilight (50%) and The Twilight Saga: New Moon (27%), have both finished with rotten Tomatometer scores, but even with the lukewarm critic reaction, the franchise has taken it to the bank with all the grace of a vampire-escorted glide through the forests of Forks, WA, with worldwide box office earnings of $392.5 million and $709.7 million, respectively. In fact, New Moon sits at #37 on the all-time worldwide box office list, above a list of films that includes Forrest Gump, Transformers, and not only Iron Man, but this Summer’s Iron Man 2 as well. Though everyone knows that fans of the best-selling novels will “see it no matter what,” early reviews are giving Eclipse the chance to become The Twilight Saga‘s best reviewed installment yet. We all know the box office numbers will be big, but based on Tomatometer, can Twilight: Eclipse its predecessors?

To read their entire analysis and predict the % on the Tomatometer, click here!

I find him harder to watch with each subsequent movie. He plays Edward as overly effeminate, and with his wispy voice and wimpy frame, I am having a really hard time swallowing the notion that he is such a perfect and desirable specimen of Vampire. Most of the scenes I found unintentionally laughable were his.  I  will be shocked if he has a film career after the franchise is wrapped up.

To read their entire review, click here!

Since Leonardo diCaprio starred in Titanic, no leading man has united women in the name of lust like Robert Pattinson in the Twilght series. His looks? Aspirational. His wardrobe choices? Achievable. In fact, he’s a super example for guys of how to look effortlessly stylish. Sure his clothes aren’t always clean or wrinkle-free, but when it comes to fashion taste, R. Patz makes it work. Rob’s style is classic not dated; daring not flashy; pulled-together not fussy; and smart not trendy.

Am I overthinking Robert Pattinson again? Of course, but Rob’s put some thought into his fashion sense too. Here’s his take: “I don’t want to look trendy, so I try to find clothes where somebody wouldn’t be able to say, ‘Oh, you’re a cool guy,’” he told InStyle. “I do like the ‘expensive but disheveled’ thing if I am going out.

Buy Clothes That Fit You.
Yes, clothes can make guys look fat too. Always take the time to try on for size. Do like R. Patz and buy clothes that frame your natural figure – not too big, not too tight.

Make Investments In Your Fashion Risks.
The only reason this crimson suit looks smart and not costumey? It’s a well-made Gucci number.

Don’t Mess With Your Eyebrows.
Studies have shown that women find men with thick eyebrows more attractive. Rob’s brows exemplify this statistic.

Keep Sunglasses Simple.
When it comes to shades, stick to classic styles like aviators or wayfarers (they’re always in style for a reason!)

Buy A Leather Jacket.
Few clothing items instantly spell sexy like a leather jacket. Find a style that suits you and pair with items beyond a white tee, as R. Patz does with his tan shirt. A leather jacket is a nice alternative to the blazer every other guy will be wearing over his oxford shirt.

Have A Signature Look.
Even though R. Patz’s signature hair can be out of control at times – yes, I know he trimmed it up – he manages to keep his look sharp with this trick: Everything else stays simple. On this wild hair day, he tones the rest of his look down with neutral colored clothes.

Undershirts Matter.
Lose any undershirt that from its collar alone looks suitable for the gym. Either skip an undershirt completely or buy one that does not stick out at your neckline. An untucked shirt is hardly a problem compared to grungy undershirts that steal the attention away from your face.

Don’t Be Too Matchy Matchy With Color.
When wearing a patterned shirt, don’t try to match other clothing items too closely. Instead of bringing out the orange, blues and yellows in his plaid shirt, Rob tones the bright colors down with a neutral t-shirt.

I can’t wait to see R. Patz as Edward Cullen in Eclipse, which comes out in theaters on Wednesday July 30 (tomorrow!), but I prefer him as his own self. Gawk on and check out a few style rules every guy can follow from Robert Pattinson in the slideshow.

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Well, that’s a misleading headline =P

The real danger on the set of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse didn’t involve vampires or werewolves. It was all the flying saliva.

“We’re always like an inch away from each other’s faces, screaming at each other, spitting at each other in the face. It gets a little awkward,” Taylor Lautner told PEOPLE of costar Robert Pattinson at Monday’s Cinema Society and Piaget-hosted screening of their latest Twilight film in New York.

Did Pattinson have to duck any major projectiles? “Not anything super dramatic,” Lautner says, “but I’m sure he caught a couple splats.”

Shouting at each other doesn’t come naturally for two guys who don’t, in real life, despise each other. And so, the scenes often veer into laughter. “Rob and I ruin a lot of takes,” Lautner admits. “It’s hard to keep a straight face, because we actually like each other. So, it’s pretty funny.”

With Pattinson filming Water for Elephants, Lautner, 18, was joined at the screening by costar Kristen Stewart, 20. Both actors said they’ve been enjoying some relatively quiet time recently.

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Five years ago Robert Pattinson was an unknown British teenager – now he is the multimillionaire star of the hugely successful Twilight film saga. Here we chart the rise and rise of Pattinson, 24, from model, to vampire and beyond.

Pattinson, who is from Barnes in west London, started his career as a model aged 12 but struggled to find work by the time he was 16. He has described himself as having “the most unsuccessful modelling career”.

In May 2005 Pattinson was set to appear in the UK premiere of The Woman Before at the Royal Court Theatre but was fired shortly before opening night and was replaced by Tom Riley.

However, also in 2005 came Pattinson’s big break when he was cast as Cedric Diggory – a Hogwarts prefect – in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

The first installment of Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series was released in November 2008 in America. It launched Pattinson as a Hollywood heart throb. He was named Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine in 2008 and 2009.

The following year sequel New Moon was released while the latest installment Eclipse will be reach screens at the end of June 2010.

Also released this year is Remember Me, a romantic drama starring Pattinson which he also produced.

Such is his new-found fame that a wax work of the actor has even been added to Madame Tussuad’s displays in London and New York.

Next year he will star alongside Uma Thurman in Bel Ami and Water For Elephants opposite Reese Witherspoon as well as fulfilling his commitments to the Twilight Saga which will be Breaking Dawn part I.

Pattinson has written several songs two of which have appeared on the Twilight soundtrack. He has said: “Music is my back-up plan if acting fails.”

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Dear Ted:
When looking at pictures of Robert Pattinson, what may I ask, is your favorite part to look at?
—Kay

Dear Greaser:
The hair, darling. That guy’s got some great, great f–king hair. And the dimples. He’s an infectiously happy boy.

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Are Avatar’s days numbered? How about The Dark Knight’s? New Moon’s?

Or to put it another way: Will Eclipse, opening midnight Wednesday, eclipse everything to become the biggest thing ever, ever, ever in the box-office world?

Let’s look at the top records up for grabs—and take some wild guesses:

God of Midnight: It’s in Eclipse’s DNA to take this title. New Moon scored the midnight record last November with a phenomenal $26.3 million night-owl debut. Eclipse is showing every sign—year-best advance-ticket sales, added 3 a.m. screenings—of living up to its elder Twilight sibling.

Speediest Speed Demon: New Moon owns the records for biggest opening and single-day grosses, with one impossibly huge $72.7 million bow. Sorry, did we say impossible? Box Office Guru editor Gitesh Pandya told us he thinks Eclipse has a shot. “The franchise is as strong as ever,” Pandya said, “and the summer release will allow for better repeat business.”

Loudest Fourth of July Firecracker: Sorry, Spider-Man 2, your three-day, $88.2 million Independence Day weekend record, is a good bet to get beat. BoxOffice.com editor Phil Contrino is calling for a $95 million Friday-Sunday. “This is a movie that is going to be extremely front-loaded,” Contrino said.

Best. Opening. Weekend. Ever.: The Dark Knight’s $158.4 million haul has withstood almost two summers of competition now. And it’ll probably withstand Eclipse’s challenge, too. “If a Twilight movie was opening on a Friday during a summer, I’ve always been of the opinion it would give Dark Knight a run for its money,” Contrino said, “but it’s going to be too spread out for that to happen [for Eclipse].”

All-time No. 1 Movie Ever, Ever, Ever—Domestic Division: Uh, no, to answer our initial question, Avatar’s days are not numbered. “Eclipse will be huge for sure,” Pandya said, “but I don’t see it becoming the biggest hit of all-time.” (Avatar has grossed $750 million here—and still counting.) Both Pandya and Contrino think Eclipse could top $300 million domestically, which would make it the biggest Twilight movie to date.

No slouch of a record at that.

We’ll see what happens…either way, fantastic buzz for Rob!

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The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (** out of four), the third film based on Stephenie Meyer’s wildly popular vampire novels, is pretty much more of the same.
Team Jacob is still hotter. Actor Taylor Lautner spends most of the movie shirtless as Jacob Black — when he’s not shape shifting into a hulking wolf.

Robert Pattinson’s brooding vampire, Edward Cullen. still has the better hair and more dramatic lips — distractingly ruby-red, at times.

And Kristen Stewart’s Bella Swan, the object of their affection, is much less morose than in the earlier films. This may be because there is some steamy kissing with both Edward and Jacob.

This is definitely the most romantic of the films, although some of these scenes are set in flower-filled meadows that bring to mind feminine-hygiene commercials. The action sequences are harder-edged, and occasionally exciting, especially the scenes of vamps who sprint and run in mid-air, as if in flight.

But it’s still hard to see what all the fuss over ordinary Bella is about. And that inexplicable fuss is at the core of a love triangle introduced in the second film and drawn out in this one.

Bella really loves Edward and sort of loves Jacob. It’s high school, after all. Still, she’s not exactly torn between two lovers. Despite some potent chemistry with Jacob, Edward is the guy for Bella, and she’s willing to become undead to prove it.

Scenes in which she conveys a subtle sadness over her impending “change” are among the movie’s best, but they are short-lived. Mostly there’s a lot of nonsense about a vampire army of “newborns,” who have been recently transformed and are more violent and unpredictable for it.

We are shown more of the historical lineage of the Cullen family of vampires and a bit of lore about Jacob’s Quileute tribe. But these back stories are fleeting and presented in a clichéd, pastiche style.

While director David Slade’s unnerving psychological drama Hard Candy (2005) was fascinating in its unpredictability, he is hampered here by Meyer’s leaden plot, adapted like the previous ones by Melissa Rosenberg. Early scenes have a gritty tension, but the rest of the movie, with its slow pacing and lackluster cinematography, doesn’t live up to that initial promise. An appearance by the Italy-based vampire powerbrokers, the Volturi (led by Dakota Fanning) feels tacked on.

Edward’s courtly wooing of Bella has its charms. “You’ll always be my Bella,” he tells her sweetly. Jacob has an appealingly friendly bluster and some of the best quips.

He comes to Bella’s rescue on a snowy mountainside where she lays in a tent shivering uncontrollably. Edward, whose skin shimmers and has a marble texture, is powerless to help her. But Jacob, whose body temperature runs toasty, gallantly offers to warm her up. “Let’s face it: I’m hotter than you,” he tells his rival, and the audience laps it up.

The huge contingent of girls — and women with girlish fantasies — who liked the first two movies will doubtless enjoy Eclipse. But this third go-round won’t make Twihard converts of the rest of us.

(Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence and some sensuality; running time: 2 hours and 4 minutes. Opens at midnight in select cities and nationwide on Wednesday.)

‘The Twilight Saga: Eclipse’’ continues to perpetrate the longest, oddest courtship in the history of the movies. She wants him. He wants to wait. This is the third movie in the series, and it mitigates its parable for sex, abstinence, and moral choices with hot vampires and overheated werewolves. You have to commend the peddlers of this particular installment. They’ve squared the metaphors and parallels almost evenly — bloodsuckers vs. their lupine adversaries, lust vs. chastity, talking vs. action.

“Eclipse,’’ which is based on Stephenie Meyer’s books (there are four), favors discourse over derringdo, and since the filmmaking is logy and rhythmless, there’s also a lot of derringdon’t. But in a season of lobotomized action spectacles, watching three teenagers — one of whom happens to be as old as the hills — prattle for two long hours about their feelings is noble. If the first two movies were “get a room,’’ part three is “get a therapist.’’

Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) remains unsure about whether she loves her vampire suitor, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), more than Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), her frequently topless werewolf protector. At some point, Bella finds herself in danger (again, or it is “still’’?) and needs to be hidden away in a tent with Edward and Jacob. I honestly can’t explain why. Meyer blends role-playing fantasy with “dear diary’’ wishfulness, so the plot is necessary even though it’s baffling — Bryce Dallas Howard joins the cast as a vengeful vampire, and Dakota Fanning reprises her small role as some kind of hooded vampire goth with a nasty case of red-eye.

Anyway: Bella. As she sleeps in that tent during a storm, Edward and Jacob proceed to have a civilized conversation about what she wants, needs, and feels. They’re bitter rivals, overperforming their attraction to her for the benefit of annoying each other (talk about get a room). I think Bonobo monkeys do the same thing. But for one chilly evening, as Jacob warms his sullen beauty in a sleeping bag and Edward looks on flexing his glittering pallor into a silent-movie scowl, the two men declare détente to talk with the seriousness and urgency of heads of state. (What else is Bella, at this point, if not territory in dispute.) We’ll have to wait until chapter four (parts one and two) to find out which adorable monster gets to plant his flag. It’s “Real World Camp David.’’

In the meantime, Bella’s horniness seems distressingly neutralized by her pending wedding to Edward. He valiantly withholds his mind-blowing vampire sex until they’re married. (The allegory is compelling, but, morally speaking, remains comically cruel.) Bella just wants to set a date, nonetheless, despite her feelings for the other guy. As Plan B, Lautner has come from behind as more than watchable. Yes, he has the body of bachelorette-party entertainment and a face Chester Gould might have drawn. But he’s the one person here who seems to mean it when he says his heart aches. Stewart still wears an expectant snarl that says, “I wanna know what love is,’’ but increasingly she and Bella feel marginal to the proceedings. Her own speech about who she is and what she wants isn’t convincing. Hasn’t Bella always known this? Hasn’t Jennifer Love Hewitt given the same talk in her Neutrogena ads?

These movies are more about the experience of hearing girls and women who should know better holler at the screen. They could just as well be at a concert. Sometimes they scream for Jacob. Others, they hoot for Edward. Though, oddly, rarely for Billy Burke who plays Bella’s age-appropriate father. (Ladies, he’s single and kind of funny; the mustache alone should win him a second date.) The degree to which “Twilight’’ is an adolescent girl’s fantasy gives it cultural value. But as fun, only the first film, which Catherine Hardwicke directed, felt attuned to the crucial discovery and denial of sex with a dream boy. The other installments — David Slade directed this one — repeat that discovery without truly deepening it, not that quality or depth matter under the circumstances. The movies are interesting without ever being good.

actorpat Impressive stunt falls off the train by RPatz, and Rosie continues to be the smartest, cutest elephant ever. Good day at work! #WFE

kevinketcham Just got done shooting exciting action scene-tension betwn jacob and august continues!

AwesomeArianna: Apparently tomorrow Rob is suppose to be running on top of the train!!! #WFE

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Yesterday on WFE was very exciting. No love lost between Jacob and August. Love found? Maybe…
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Out the door for WFE! What sort of excitment can they create today! Have I said OSCAR lately..
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