As Aro touches Edward’s hand to read his thoughts, Edward shows Aro a vision of what will happen if the Volturi attack. What follows is a brutal, merciless, full-scale battle sequence unlike anything in the previous four films.

No matter how you spin it, a 17-year-old imprinting on a baby is uncomfortable. The film tries to make it "protector/brotherly," but the final shot of Jacob standing with Renesmee as she ages rapidly still feels odd.

For a $120 million film, the uncanny valley is strong. The Volturi’s eyes look like glowing yellow light bulbs, and some of the green screen work (particularly during the snowbound final battle) is distractingly fake.

It understands that the audience has invested four films into these characters, and it rewards that investment with a thrilling, emotional, and surprisingly fun finale. The fake-out battle is a stroke of genius—allowing fans to have their violent cake and eat it too, without sacrificing the happy ending.