CLEARFIELD – The Ritz Theatre’s Twilight Saga Extravaganza on Tuesday featured a pre-show filled with prizes, giveaways, look-alike cast members, and trivia. Fans were entertained with various Twilight inspired skits and were able to meet Edward Cullen (Chris Welker), Jacob Black (John Williams), and Isabella Swan (Leann Lawhead), before ending the night with a midnight premiere of the much anticipated Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Fans supporting “Team Edward” and “Team Jacob” listened on the walkway outside of the Ritz as Stephenie Meyer (Mary Feasler-Soupart) read from her novel Eclipse and were surprised with a dramatic scene in which Victoria (Cassandra Baumgardner) made an angry, threatening entrance, chasing a “victim” down the alley as
fans heard a scream.
Meanwhile, those present had to pass through Volterra, Rome and inspection from the blood sucking Volturi, Aro (Shayne Lumadue) and Marcus (Fred Rowe), before receiving admission. As they made their way inside, fans eagerly accepted rings from Edward, who made many marriage proposals, and stopped inside the theater to admire the many Twilight inspired displays and take pictures with the “cast”. Making the event even more entertaining were giveaways which included prizes from Burger King, The YMCA, The Ritz, Old Town Road Dairy, McDonalds, and Kim’s Gifts.
The movie itself also pleased the crowds, delivering the excitement and romance seen in the previous films of the Twilight Saga and further fueling the Edward/Jacob rivalry. In this third film of the series, Bella is ready to give up her life as a human and to be transformed into a vampire, so that she can forever remain with her love Edward. However, everyone she loves, including Edward, questions if she is making the right decision. As Bella and Edward consider the possibility of transforming Bella into a part of the vampire clan and getting married, their plans are interrupted by a surprise attack from Victoria’s army, a visit from the Volturi, and Bella’s realization that she loves both Edward and Jacob. After much animosity toward one another, Edward and Jacob realize that the only way to protect Bella is to unite forces, and they decide to let Bella choose the path that will make her happiest, even if she is lost to one of them forever.
(All photos: Briana English)