Teen romance comes to the screen once more with the supernatural thriller Beautiful Creatures doing its best to break the mold switching from vampire lust to wooing witchery.  It’s Twilight only better.  The film takes you into the coven of some nasty people who want to preserve their species no matter the cost to their teenage daughter and local mortals.  I found the film nicely acted and directed with brilliant cinematography and excellent retro costuming.

Taken from the book of the “Caster Chronicles” written by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl the movie Beautiful Creatures centers on 16-year-old Ethan Wait (Alden Ehrenreich) a High School sophomore who has been having weird dreams about a teen with flowing black hair. He’s so smitten by the vision that he draws her image in his art portfolio over and over again.

But, his night visions are about to become reality when 15-year-old Lena Duchannes (Alice Englert) enters his classroom as a transfer student.  Some of her young classmates recognize her as the niece of Macon Ravenwood (Jeremy Irons) a mysterious local plantation owner that has been the center of continuous lore involving witches. The two become acquainted in spite of the warnings and jealousy by Ethan’s ex-girlfriend Emily Asher (Zoey Deutch) starts a series of events that will entwine the star crossed lovers in a mystery surrounding Lena’s 16th birthday.

Ethan (Alden Ehrenreich) and Lena (Alice Englert) in Beautiful Creatures

The series of books that include “Beautiful Darkness” and “Beautiful Chaos” are both teen targeted novels that continue the story of Lena and Ethan, much like the ill fated Bella and Edward in “The Twilight Saga”. Although Lena and Ethan’s story takes a different tack in their world, the element of the supernatural equally exists in the “Caster Chronicles” and “The Twilight Saga”.  While vampires are aggressive killing at the first inkling of danger, witches are more manipulative with their powers.  The romance still becomes the thread in both stories with seduction being the weapon of choice.

Jeremy Irons as Macon Ravenwood with Lena and Ethan in Beautiful Creatures

I prefer the characters in Beautiful Creatures with Englert and Ehrenreich having more of a chemical bond in this story of love, determination and teenage angst. Both actors have charm, Ehrenreich portraying a small town dreamer that won’t be turned away and Englert as an ambitious teen who’s determined to show her family she can break away from the dark side. Much like Romeo and Juliette, the two turn their backs on their family and friends for a chance at romance.

Alice Englert with director Richard LaGravenese on the set of Beautiful Creatures

Richard LaGravenese, Oscar nominated for his screenwriting of The Fisher King, directs the first of the “Caster Chronicles” and draws his characters together in an admirable romantic tale. Using some spooky special effects, a decaying old southern mansion with splashy modern interiors that speak volumes about its inhabitants and cameras that create powerful images of the past, present and future, LaGravenese creates a nice package from his demanding script.

Beautiful Creatures has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for violence, scary images and some sexual material.  While the film leans heavy on a teen audience, adults may enjoy the fine acting of stars Jeremy Irons, Viola Davis and Emma Thompson who take on the supporting roles as antagonists.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A tricky plot that should bewitch young audiences. (B)

Additional Film Information:

• Cast: Alden Ehrenreich, Alice Englert, Jeremy Irons, Viola Davis, Emmy Rossum, Thomas Mann, and Emma Thompson
• Directed by: Richard LaGravenese
• Genre: Supernatural, Romance, Fantasy
• MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violence, scary images and some sexual material
• Running Time: 2 hrs 10 min
• Opening Date: February 14, 2013
• Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures