I have been dreading “New Moon” since I saw “Twilight” last year. Never has there been a film so adored by thousands and yet so completely mystifying to yours truly.

I don’t think I am being presumptive when I say the “Twilight” series is, in fact, written for the fairer sex. I am pre-disposed to hate this movie simply because I have a Y chromosome. This is certainly not true across the board. There are exceptions to every rule. But for the most part, it is difficult for a guy to get excited about a story of undying love and melodrama between a teenage girl and a shiny-skinned, washboard-chested vampire.

So, the bias is there.

You’ve been warned.

That said, “New Moon” is an all-around better movie than its predecessor. And I mean that in the strictest sense — in terms of filmmaking technique and storytelling. With the exception of a few scenes that were a little heavy-handed with the 360-degree tracking shots (circling around the actors with the camera to a nauseating extent), “New Moon” was generally more presentable. There were also some scenes I even found myself liking. I very much enjoyed the Volturi family, especially the head vampire, Aro, played by the one and only Michael Sheen (David Frost from “Frost/Nixon”). Dakota Fanning was also tolerable, even if it seemed as though she’s reaching for those older roles.

There is also a great scene near the beginning in which Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) cuts her finger in front of her vampire friends and Edward (Robert Pattinson) must restrain one of his “brothers” from eating her. Great scene.

Unfortunately, the good stuff stops there for me. Of the many detestable things about the “Twilight” series, only one was more noticeable this time around. Are you ready for it? Because here it is…

Bella Swan, Jacob Black, new moon

Bella Swan is a completely unlikeable character. Apologists for the “Twilight” series (my sister included) swear up and down that it’s not Bella, but little Ms. Kristen Stewart instead.

Whatever the case may be, there were times I wanted to run screaming from the theater over her antics. Bella is broody, whiny, morose and just about any other adjective you can think up along those lines.

The melodrama that accompanies her wherever she goes quickly becomes exhausting. The world, as she sees it, revolves around Bella and Bella alone.

And don’t get me started on her behavior. Half the time in “New Moon,” Bella behaves like someone who should be swiftly punted over to juvee and/or a nuthouse, either one. I mean, let me get this straight — Bella uses the sweet little werewolf, Jacob, to build her a motorcycle so that she can ride it recklessly in order to make contact with Edward’s spirit. WHAT IS THAT ABOUT? Sounds like the world’s most psychotic ex-girlfriend.

I’m not sure why, but “Twilight” awakens within me an urge to be old-fashioned and complain about those “darn kids.” One thing I REALLY dislike about the “Twilight” series is how it seems to market love to very young girls.

“Twilight” would have every 15-year-old girl think that an undying love like you read about should come into their lives by the time they are 18. Sure, we have seen that before (“Romeo & Juliet”). But in a culture where kids are growing up too fast and can communicate with each other by means their parents can’t even understand (texting, MySpace, Twitter), we should be doing all we can to keep them focused on school work instead of a relationship which will, most likely, end with college.

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