Fang-tastic end!

Five movies have been choked out of Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight books – redefining the meaning of cheese … and now it’s finally over.

It goes without saying, those who have never enjoyed a Twilight movie will probably not bother taking a trip to the theatre to watch Breaking Dawn Part II, but as a fellow hater, I am ashamed to admit, it actually wasn’t too bad!

Yes, I claim to be a cynic when it comes to the franchise, but I have still seen every installment, and although it’s always a disappointment, this film almost surprised me ... before the stupidest twist in cinematic history ended what could have been the perfect finish to the franchise.

Without giving away too much, let’s just say the ‘Twi-hards’ will leave the theatre with the conclusion that they hoped for.

The film is, once again, directed by Bill Condon who was also responsible for Breaking Dawn Part I (which could hold the legacy as the worst film, ever). And although he filmed the final two installments around the same time, the latter movie is stronger in every sense. The plot is straightforward, the acting was, well, mediocre, and the cheese was offered as a side dish, instead of a main.

The film picks up where it left off. Bella (Stewart) almost loses her life whilst giving birth to Edward Cullen’s (Pattinson) half-human, half-immortal daughter, Renesmee, only to be transformed into a vampire at the last minute.

Now, after a long nap, vampire Bella spends time with her daughter, who also miraculously ages by the day. While the pair, and werewolf Jacob (Lautner) who ‘imprints’ Renesmee, meaning he can’t leave her side, are off testing their supernatural powers, they are spotted by fellow vampire and the Cullen’s cousin, Irina, who mistakes the young girl as an immortal child who has been bitten rather than born with her abilities.

With the knowledge that immortal children are a threat to vampires as they lack self-control (and as a result expose their existence), Irina reports back to the Volturi, the vampire ruling class and police force.

When news hits, the Cullens try to reveal the truth of Renesmee’s origin and ask a list of international vampire ‘witnesses’ to prove that the little girl is not a threat, or should the Volturi choose to be unreasonable, they will fight to the death.

Although the film presents eye-rolling material, it still introduces a number of new characters that prove to be the real stars. And, thank goodness for that … if the fifth movie were to focus on the clichéd ‘love conquers all’ theme AGAIN, I would have walked out.

These new ‘gifted’ vampires, who come to help the Cullen’s face the Volturi, provide the movie with occasional funny moments and provide a different image to the traditional boring vampires we have been introduced to in the first four films. Of these, the two Dracula-esque personalities, played by Noel Fisher and Guri Weinberg, are possibly the most entertaining.

In addition, Aro (Martin Sheen), who leads the Volturi is excellent at playing a devilishly, almost psychotic, vampire.

Having said this, despite the franchise making $2.5 billion, the film certainly held back on effects. Breaking Dawn Part I introduced talking wolves as well as excellent CGI-incorporated battle scenes that left viewers entertained. However, this time around the unintentionally awkward and humorous visuals, especially with baby Renesmee, cheapen the quality of filmmaking … but fans of the franchise obviously won’t complain.

Stewart still has that blank look, Pattinson still just smiles like the ‘special’ boy that he is and Lautner, once again, shows off his muscled body (only now it’s comical).

This may be the best of all the Twilight movies, but considering its predecessors, it was not difficult. Between its bleak characters and ridiculous script, this final chapter plastered a smile on my face, knowing it was the last of the franchise … ever.

*Showing in Cineco, Seef I, Saar Cineplex, Al Jazeera Cineplex