VAMPIRE ACADEMY (2014)

If you can keep the characters and their roles straight - the Moroi are the royalty (mortal vampires who don't kill, but feed only off willing donors), the Dhampir (half human-half vampire) are their guardians, and the Strigoi are those who've actually killed a human and turned insane/evil, intent on turning or killing off the Moroi - and Vampire Academy is a good, light, action comedy-drama that has no problem sucking you in (pun intended) about Dhampir Rose (Zoey Deutsch) and Moroi princess Lissa (Lucy Fry) who are dragged back to St. Vladimir's School, after spending a year on the run, to face an even bigger threat when it looks like someone is stalking Lissa.  Based on a series of YA novels, the film knows when - and, more importantly, when NOT - to take itself seriously, which definitely makes the film more enjoyable (even with a few undeveloped characters in the mix).  Nice job, enough so I'd even watch the sequel the end of this films so wickedly sets you up for ... (rated PG-13)  ***1/2

VAMPIRE ACADEMY trailer