Review: 'Breaking Dawn' romantic but melancholy

Cast members Ashley Greene (L) and Robert Pattinson pose to promote "Breaking Dawn" from the Twilight Saga in Brussels October 26, 2011.[Photo/Agencies]

Just about everyone is familiar with the "Twilight" tale of romantic woe between a vampire and a human. The first part of the fourth and final installment, "Breaking Dawn," out in theaters on Friday, finally sees the two star-crossed lovers, Bella and Edward, get married; hence, the soundtrack brings about a vibe of a love that has finally settled into something coherent. But along with fulfillment, the lyrics are touched by a strange sadness (Maybe they're just channeling werewolf Jacob's grief at being left out of this).

Bruno Mars, the most prominent name on the soundtrack, wails with torment on "It Will Rain": "Cause there'll be no sunlight/If I lose you, baby/There'll be no clear skies/ If I lose you, baby" he croons, channeling Edward Cullen's co-dependency issues perfectly.

The various artists give voice to the two lovers and their need to reassure themselves that their love, which demands some sort of sacrifice, is worth fighting for. The lyrics mirror precisely the inner conflict: "I surrendered who I've been, for who you are," warbles Sleeping at Last on "Turning Page. And Christina Perri on "A Thousand Years" intones: "I have died every day waiting for you/I have loved you for a thousand years/I'll love you for a thousand more."

However, for a film where most of the hype is about Bella and Edward finally getting it on, the soundtrack is almost devoid of any sexy or sensual songs. Hopeless, sometime masochistic romantics will find the album pitch perfect, in a way much like Bella subjects herself to pain and loss of self just to be with the man she loves.

Iron and Wine's "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" is a perhaps the album's sweetest, most enchanting track. It stands a high chance of becoming a first dance song at the wedding of many young girls who have made "Twilight" the phenomenon of their generation.