‘New Moon’: Monster mush

Monster romance-drama “Twilight: New Moon” is an improvement over its money-making predecessor, but while it’s not as slow and dull as the first movie, it’s still quite a chore. This time, Bella (Kristen Stewart) is torn between two nubile lads, brooding vamp Edward (Robert Pattinson) and shirtless wolf-boy Jacob (Taylor Lautner). Amazingly, Stewart has chemistry with both, but it’s quite clear from the get-go that it’s a short-lived triangle. The new movie has some factors working for it, like new beasts in the form of the werewolf pack, Dakota Fanning as one of the governing Volturi vampires, and some stylish fight choreography. But the narrative jars quite often with baffling pauses and pacing, especially the scenes concerning Bella’s “death” prophecy. It’s hard to feel genuine concern for any of the characters, as well.