From Page To Screen (73) Breaking Dawn (Pt. 2)

This week on From Page to Screen I'll be tackling Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer. Since this book was split into two films I'll be dissecting the differences that way as well this week. To check out the differences from Breaking Dawn Pt. 1 click Here!

First Let's Discuss the Book.
Here is a bit of back story in case some of you aren't familiar with the novel. Breaking Dawn is a novel written by Author Stephenie Meyer. The book was originally published August 2, 2008 by Little, Brown and Company. Breaking Dawn is the Final Novel in the Twilight Saga and follows Bella as she grows up and faces the consequences for all of her actions thus far. During its first 24 hours released Breaking Dawn sold over 1.3 million copies in the U.S. and over 100k copies in Canada and 20k in the U.K. respectively. Breaking Dawn received very mixed reviews from Critics upon release but that didn't deter fans as Breaking Dawn went on to become the best selling Children's book of 2008 with over 6 million copies sold.

Let's take a look at some of the characters now, shall we.

Bella Swan- Newly turned vampire, Wife of Edward and mother to Renesmee.

Edward Cullen- Bella's Husband and Father to their Half Vampire/Human child Renesmee. Edward is deeply protective of his Family and is deeply troubled by word the Volturi will be arriving to deal with the child created from their union .

Jacob Black- Bella's best friend and also a Quileute Native American and werewolf. Out of love for Bella and Renesmee he agrees to do whatever it takes to keep them safe.


Now Let's Discuss the Movie.
In case some of you aren't familiar with the film, here is a bit of back story. Breaking Dawn was directed by Billy Condon and was released November 16, 2012 by Summit Entertainment. Breaking Dawn cost $120 million to create and went on to make over $829 million worldwide. Breaking Dawn released to mostly mixed reviews with the consensus stating: "It is the most enjoyable chapter in The Twilight Saga, but that's not enough to make Breaking Dawn Part 2 worth watching for filmgoers who don't already count themselves among the franchise converts." It should be noted however that despite the mixed reactions Breaking Dawn pt. 2 went on to become the highest grossing film of the series. 

Major Differences Between The Book Film

Book	Film
When Bella wakes up Edward is holding her hand. All of the Cullens except for Rosalie are in the room.	When Bella wakes up Edward is shown across the room from Bella. We don't see anyone else in the room.
On her first hunt, Bella changes course to pursue the scent of hikers in the woods. When pursued by Edward she reacts defensively, then runs away.	Bella smells the scent of a rock climber and starts to hunt him by climbing a cliff. Edward catches up to her on a ledge, she snaps out of it and changes course..
Jacob tells Charlie about the supernatural world and Bella being different.	Charlies asks Bella directly but it is Jacob who answers.
When Charlie confronts Bella, Edward, Renesmee, Emmett, Jasper, Jacob, Carlisle, and Seth are present.	When Charlie confronts Bella, Edward, Carlisle, and Jacob leave Bella and Charlie temporarily, and then Edward returns to bring Renesmee out to meet Charlie.
Renesmee goes ahead to hunt, followed by Jacob. Bella notices Irina on a cliff and tries to speak to her, but Irina takes off. Bella catches up with Renesmee and Jacob and stays with them while the others attempt to find Irina, but she's long gone.	Renesmee jumps and catches a snowflake when Irina notices her on a ridge. Jacob stays with Renesmee while Bella immediately pursues Irina. However, Irina escapes by jumping into the ocean..
The day after the Cullens realize the Volturi are coming they meet Sam at the treaty boundary where they are handed the note. Bella realizes the note is a page ripped from her book and follows Alice's scent to the cottage where she finds clues to a J. Jenks in Seattle.	Alice's note is shorter. Sam personally delivers the note to the Cullen house. Bella looks into her book after the witnesses have arrived and calls J. Jenks before meeting him at a local restaurant.
The Denalis are contacted by Carlisle via the phone and then traveled to Forks for explanation before agreeing to help the Cullens. Carmen is the first member of the Denali coven that Renesmee touches to share her story. Subsequently Renesmee communicates telepathically with Eleazar, Tanya and Kate.	Edward, Jacob, Bella and Renesmee travel to the Denalis' home to tell them about the Volturi and about Renesmee. Tanya is the first member of the Denali coven the audience sees being shown Renesnee's thoughts.
Does not appear.	A Japanese nomadic vampire named Toshiro agrees to help the Cullens only to be killed off by the Volturi when Aro finds he plans on siding with them.
Bella first realizes her shield when Eleazar explains to her about her power and how much advantage she could provide for them if she learns how to use it.	Bella first realizes her shield when Eleazar tells Edward "he never told him his wife was a shield" and then explains to her. To prove his point, Kate tests her power on her. Tanya suggests she learn how to project it.
Garrett gives a long speech to the Volturi's witnesses: he accuses the Volturi's pretense of justifying act to shroud their true agenda of acquiring more power to themselves, and tells the witnesses to choose a new side.	Garrett doesn't say anything although Edward incorporates arguments from his speech (in the book) into his later on.
After Alistair deserts the Cullens out of fear, the remaining vampires have heated arguments amongst themselves. When Stefan and Vladimir decide that they will help fight, almost everyone else comes on board with a commitment to fight the Volturi if needed.	Edward is the one who makes an appeal to his guests to not only be witnesses, but to fight for the sake of his family and for the way they want to live. Amun wants to leave but Benjamin convinces him otherwise. Alistair is unconvinced. Everyone else commits to help fight the Volturi..
The confrontation is almost completely peaceful. Everyone prepares for battle; Renesmee crawls onto Jacob's back and they prepare to escape. Before the fight began, Alice and Jasper emerge just in time to stop it and present Nahuel and Huilen. Aro decides to retreat after witnessing the effect of Bella's shield and seeing the disadvantage that he has.	The confrontation seemingly turns violent and a battle ensues. Jacob and Renesmee are chased by Santiago as they run across the forest. Many characters lose their lives, including Aro, Carlisle and Jasper. However, this turns out to be a vision of the definite future if the Volturi decided to fight. After Nahuel and Huilen's testimony, Aro decides to retreat after seeing his ultimate demise in Alice's vision.

Well that about wraps up this weeks From Page To Screen. I am sure I missed a few differences but considering the split that's bound to happen anyway. Which however do I prefer? Considering I think Breaking Dawn was the weakest book in the series, this week, the movie takes it hands down. As with the first part what they did with the story was impressive. I also think Kristen Stewart's acting was probably the best of the series as well. Maybe it's because the contacts helped her look less strung out, who knows. Definitely read the book if you haven't already even if just to see how the story should of went had it been told as one cohesive piece but if you'd rather just skip ahead to the film I won't blame you.

Still not convinced? Check out the trailer below!

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Well that about wraps up this weeks From Page To Screen. Have a recommendation for an upcoming From Page To Screen, let me know in the comments below!

Have you read the book or watched the film? 

Which did you like better? Why? 

What is your favorite quote or scene from Breaking Dawn?

Leave your answers in the comments below, I love to read your responses. Like what you see? Please share!