Twilight

Vampires, young lust, furtive glances, pounding soundtrack, picturesque setting..."Lost Boys" was great wasn't it?! Well, the makers of "Twilight" certainly seemed to think so as they've conjured up an Undead-Kicks-for-Kids film all of their own in the hope of filling that Potter-shaped hole in the schedules.

Based on author Stephanie Myers' bestselling tween titles, "Twilight" was already a bone fide sensation stateside before a single frame of film hit the big screen. More a curio this side, "Twilight" has a few things going for it. The fantasy-tinged story sits comfortably in this banner festive slot and it will find its audience if only for the fresh-faced (or should that be pale faced) cast. There's more brooding and pouting going on here than the Milan catwalk but the relationship between Potter's Robert Pattinson and Kristin Stewert (Jodie Foster's daughter in "Panic Room") will have tween girls weak at the knees.

The duo play star-crossed lovers as Pattinson's wisely Edward Cullen (a 90+ years old vampire in a 17 year old body) finds his soul mate in Bella Swan during second period Chemistry. Of course there's a problem. Swan (the wilting wallflower Stewert) is usually reserved for the dinner plate rather than respectable girlfriend material and despite Edward's 'vegetarian' status (good vampires only eat foal it would seem), Swan has a particularly potent BO that triggers wild cravings in most would-be, toothy assailants. Edward is instantly hooked and one near death experience later, Swan is not too far behind - eventually falling for the pasty one's enigmatic charms. Like Kiefer Sutherland before him, "The OC" and "Never Back Down" star Cam Gigandet is out to rain on the young lovers' parade. He and his clan of meat eaters terrorise the small town of Forks before zeroing in on their dish of the day, which just so happens to be Swan. Go figure.

Early on "Twilight" only offers the briefest flickers of hope. Playing out like a poorly judged Miley Cyrus music video, all slow-mo close ups and deep, meaningful looks meant to signify longing (when in actual fact all it signifies is a pressing need to use the toilet). After such early stumbles, with nary a spark of chemistry between the two leads, director Catherine Hardwicke realises she was in fact the one responsible for the brilliant "Thirteen" and starts to craft "Twilight" into a competent teen drama. The leads loosen up a bit and start to convince, especially Stewart as the girl torn between her heart and her head even if it means being torn apart by her new beau.

"Twilight", before its done and dusted, blindsides you a little and actually has you thirsty for more. A cultish pleasure. "Lost Boys" for the iPod Generation. And that's no bad thing!