'Twilight' (PG-13)(out of four)

True, the massive following of author Stephenie Meyer's multi-million selling "Twilight" book series is mostly made up of teen girls and adult women, but after seeing the long-anticipated movie, it's hard to understand why. Sure, the romantic plot is the backbone of the movie, and that definitely caters to females -- but overall, the story has a very broad appeal with other elements. Complimented by a daunting atmosphere, fast-paced action and supernatural thrills, "Twilight" is hardly the chick flick that the most of the press has made it out to be.

The first in what could be four movies based on Meyer's books, "Twilight" tells the story of Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), a disenfranchised teen who moves from Phoenix and her mother to Forks, Wash., to live for a time with her estranged father. And while she's been reunited with a childhood friend, Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) and easily attracts friends at her new high school, Bella seems to have no interest in befriending anybody until she spots Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson): a shy, mysterious member of a family living on the outskirts of town.

Initially ignoring the new girl in town, Edward eventually warms up to Bella, albeit with a great deal of restraint. Edward, as it turns out, is from a family of vampires, which throughout time, have existed by feasting on animals. But Bella has a scent about her that Edward finds hard to resist, and falling in love will only make her more vulnerable and a possible victim.

The target audience for "Twilight" is clearly teen girls, and to that end, the hiring of director Catherine Hardwicke, who's keen on teen sensibilities (she was at the helm of the acclaimed drama, "Thirteen") was a smart move. Hardwicke makes the teen stars relatable in the film by finding the right mix of angst, drama and humor, without dumbing down the material so as to turn the film into a big-screen episode of "Hannah Montana."

The biggest benefit Hardwicke had going into the film was a strong story, which is why "Twilight," made of best-selling source material, obviously got the green light in the first place. Thanks to Meyer, this source material is relatively fresh.

Meyer's world of vampires is hardly conventional. They don't sleep in coffins, can be out in the open during the daytime (although they can't be in daylight, which is why the overcast state of Washington is a perfect hideout for them), can hold jobs and go to school just like everyday folks. The difference, of course, is that they have super-human strength, eternal life, and like humans, must feast for nourishment. The Cullen family members choose to be "vegetarians" by disciplining themselves to eat animals instead of humans, but that doesn't go the same for other vampires -- and there's a trio of them attacking residents of Forks and Bella is next on the list.

Of course, it also helps a film that is stocked with capable actors, and in the lead, Pattinson easily fits the bill. Known previously to audiences as Cedric Diggory -- Harry Potter's Twi-Wizard competitor in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" -- Pattinson is cool and charismatic in the difficult role of Edward, and makes the character's broad range of emotions believable. If the film hits it big -- and all indications are pointing in that direction -- Pattinson could develop a Daniel Radcliffe type of following.

On the flip side, Stewart isn't given nearly as much to work with, emotionally, which is maybe why her character comes off as wooden and one-dimensional at times. Now, not having the read the book prior to seeing the film, maybe that's the way Bella is supposed to behave, and to Stewart's credit, the character is more engaging as the film moves along. Either way, it just seems that she could have done more with the role.

"Twilight" is populated by a slew of supporting characters, and Hardwicke gives each of them ample time to develop personalities.

Edward's "family" members -- they're really just an eclectic group of different people led shepherded by caring vampire couple (Peter Facinelli and Elizabeth Reaser) -- are all lovable in their own ways, as are Bella's group of high school guy and girl friends.

Individually, Billy Burke brings a dry sense of humor and compassion to Bella's dad, a man struggling to get to know his daughter, while Taylor Lautner also has a presence in the role of Jacob, Bella's childhood friend. As one of the trio of human-hunting vampires, Cam Gigandet is menacing as James, an animal who will stop at nothing in his quest to capture and kill Bella.

While "Twilight" has a lot going for it, not everything works. Some of the special effects -- when the vampires show their speed, for example -- are outright cheesy. But even if the movie was riddled with faults, it won't matter. "Twilight" is for the time being a critic-proof franchise that will attract the book faithful in droves. And as the first film chapter draws to a close, it leaves you with a feeling of wanting more. Don't be surprised if a "Twilight" sequel is officially announced soon. It's written in the stars.