Finally…after what seems like an eternity (has it really only been 12 months?), the latest offering in the Twilight saga finally hit Irish cinema screens and this lucky Spanner fan had the pleasure of attending its Irish premiere, held in Dublin’s Savoy theatre.

There was huge controversy initially surrounding the second film in the four-part series, which sees our female heroine Bella Swan deserted by her vampire boyfriend Edward Cullen and her discovery that her new BFF/rebound guy is in fact a member of a werewolf tribe; seriously, can this girl not go for the normal ones?

Main problems fans had included the replacement of director Catherine Hardwicke (she of Thirteen fame) with director Chris Weitz (who directed the dud The Golden Compass). Many felt that the film, which draws strong influences from ultimate romantic story Romeo and Juliet, could not be properly portrayed by a male director.

And while the heartfelt and tender story of chaste teenage love may have taken a hit in the change of director, Weitz more than made it up to fans of the series by introducing rough and buff character Jacob Black, played by the ever-so-hot Taylor Lautner, and allowing said character to repeatedly take off his top and show off his perfect, perfect body.

The film itself sticks closely to the book's plotline and sees Edward dumping girlfriend Bella for her own protection after a minor incident involving a paper cut. Alone and inconsolable, Bella takes refuge in the muscled arms of Jacob Black (who this reader was disturbed to learn is only 17 in real life! Paedophilic? I don’t care!) who she sees as a friend, even though he makes it blatantly obvious he wants more. Together they partake in reckless activities such as motorcycle riding and cliff-jumping.

It’s only when Jacob decides to dump Bella too that we realise he may be just as dangerous to her as her ex. Cue Bella trying to kill herself or something, Edward trying to kill himself in Italy and a cameo appearance by the very mature-looking Dakota Fanning (the little girl from I am Sam). It wraps up with a very juicy little cliffhanger which will encourage people to go see the next instalment, Eclipse, due out in June 2010.

Overall the film is maybe not as addictive as the previous one but this is perhaps due to the hype and hysteria surrounding it. Nonetheless, fans of the series should go and see it if only to get a new fix of Rpatz or to swoon over the abs of Taylor Lautner. You will get a few laughs out of the new lease of humour the director has injected into the story and at least you can get an idea of what you want Santy to bring you for Christmas! (Taylor Lautner, Taylor Lautner, Taylor Lautner)

- Niamh Walshe

Check out the trailer if you ain't seen it already...