THE tug of war for the affections of Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) reaches a crucial juncture in the latest film based on Stephenie Meyer's best-selling teen romances.
And this third helping of brooding vampires and snarling werewolves is the most entertaining to date.
Director David Slade cranks up the tension between suitors Edward and Jacob against a backdrop of impending civil war between rival bloodsucking factions.
The leading cast have also settled into their iconic roles and Pattinson, especially, runs the gamut of emotions as his fanged hunk risks losing his soul-mate.
Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg retains most of Meyer's book, including a sexually charged stand off in a tent, which forces Edward to watch jealously as Jacob uses his body heat to stop Bella freezing to death.
“Let's face it, I am hotter than you,” smirks Jacob.
Graduation approaches for Bella and the teenager must choose between Edward (Pattinson), the vampire who won her heart, and Jacob (Lautner). Rejection for one young man could potentially ignite the ancient rivalry between the lycans and the bloodsuckers.
Meanwhile, Victoria (Howard) returns to Forks, Washington, to kill Bella in revenge for Edward's slaying of her lover bringing with her a new race of vampires and Edward and his family must prepare for battle.
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is a fast-paced romp that should delight ardent fans and draw in a few newcomers with briskly edited action sequences. The menage a trois generates the film's dramatic momentum, leading to tears and tantrums as the enormity of the situation becomes apparent.
Stewart enjoys snogging her two handsome co-stars and Howard has such limited screen time, it makes a mockery of the ballyhoo surrounding her re-casting as Victoria. Fight sequences are orchestrated at breakneck pace, although some of the digital effects don't gel seamlessly with the live action.
Eclipse neatly sets the scene for the heartache of the final film, Breaking Dawn, which is scheduled for release in two parts in 2011 and 2012. There's nothing like milking a cash cow dry.
