A crazy, fitting end to ‘Twilight’

This is by far the best film in the series. This does not necessarily mean it’s good. But as it reaches its prolonged and wildly violent crescendo, it’s at least entertaining in a totally nutso way.

The first four adaptations of Stephenie Meyer’s mega-best sellers about the girl-vampire-werewolf love triangle (the final book was divided into two films for maximum box-office benefit) were, for the most part, laughably self-serious affairs full of mopey teen angst, stilted dialogue and cheesy special effects. Sure, they pleased their fervent audience, made billions of dollars worldwide and turned their three core actors into instant superstars. But they weren’t what you would call high-quality cinematic experiences.

	‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2′ RATING: PG-13 (for sequences of violence including disturbing images, some sensuality and partial nudity) WHEN: Opens today WHERE: Century 14 Downtown, Century Rio 24, Cottonwood, Four Hills, High Ridge, Winrock, Premiere (Rio Rancho)

Now, Bill Condon (who also directed last year’s “Breaking Dawn – Part 1″) finally lets his freak flag fly. Like something out of a telenovela, Condon cuts between characters standing around staring at each other, the dramatic score punctuating each piercing look. Maybe they’re reading each other’s minds, sharing visions of the future or shielding each other from harm. Maybe they just can’t think of anything to say.

Regardless, it’s all prelude for the massive showdown that awaits in the film’s second half. There have been teasers about a bold plot twist – and we wouldn’t dream of spoiling it here because watching it play out with a packed and rabid audience is a complete kick – but Condon and screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg have taken a big risk in deviating from the book, and it pays off big-time from a narrative perspective. It’s kind of amazing that this thing got a PG-13 rating.

No longer torn between two amorous, animalistic suitors, Bella (Kristen Stewart) has married vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson), produced his hybrid spawn and been turned into one of the undead herself to avoid actual death during childbirth. Now she gets to enjoy all the perks of living forever – unstoppable strength and speed, the thrill of hunting for fresh blood and a seemingly unlimited sex drive. And Stewart seems to be enjoying herself for the first time, too. She’s done away with the sulking and lip-biting and thrives within her newfound ferocious femininity. The swoony Edward almost feels like an afterthought here: This is Bella’s time to sparkle.

Jacob (Taylor Lautner), the childhood friend and werewolf who was competing for her affections in small-town Forks, Wash., is still around and he’s assumed a new role: He has “imprinted” on Bella’s newborn daughter, the hideously named Renesmee (Mackenzie Foy), which makes him her protector and lover for life. Yes, this is creepy, but at least the film acknowledges as much.

But the arrival of this beautiful child draws the suspicion and ire of the Volturi, the vampire elite living in Italy who … I don’t know, govern over these kinds of things? Anyway, they view this half-human, half-vampire as a threat. The bloodsucking Cullen clan and Jacob and his wolfy buddies must band together to prevent an attack, and to prove that the girl’s rare existence should be treasured. They do this by traveling the world, gathering other vampires of various ethnicities to form a sort of United Nations of the undead who will vouch for her.

We are all Renesmee Cullen.