vampire academy

Based on the bestselling YA book series, 'Vampire Academy' seemed a promising movie adaptation. Combining the cutthroat world of high school with the bloodlust of vampire fiction, it had an enticing starting point. Adding to its allure were a writer and director who have defined the modern teen queen movie, Daniel Waters, the screenwriter of 'Heathers,' and Mark Waters, the director of 'Mean Girls

And here we are: five weeks into the new year and we already have our first major blockbuster of 2014. Early estimates had 'The LEGO Movie' opening big, but the animated adventure shattered all expectations this weekend, with universally positive reviews and word of mouth sending the film to a massive opening.

There have been a number of Young Adult adaptations made of late -- arguably too many -- that focus on the growing pains of becoming an adult while dealing with a dystopian future, or magic, or vampires and werewolves. But though these movies have had their jokes, none have been pitched as comedies, and that might be where 'Vampire Academy' succeeds.