Dawn is the heroine of the piece - a high school student with high moral values. An advocate of abstinence and all its fruitless glories, she preaches to those around her the values of waiting and modesty.

When the new kid (Tobey) comes rolling into town however, she soon finds her beliefs questioned as she dodges criticism from the cool crowd who seem to pick on her despite a lack of face pushing from her part. A few well constructed t-shirts made at some Jesus Camp are her only weapons against the stereotypical bullies.

With pretty boy Tobey in tow, Dawn and her fellow abstinence friends attempt to fit into a world where sex and promiscuity are everywhere - "Even the PG13 will have making out," her friend exclaims as they pick a suitable cinema going choice.

One thing leads to another however, this is an indie movie after all, and the questions and motives of both Dawn and dream boy Tobey are soon called into question when they find some alone time - at the local make-out spot no less.

Her first 'sexual experience' is not all it's cracked up to be though and as she's encroached upon and partially unconscious, Tobey attempts to de-flower her. The shoe's soon on the other foot as dawn bits back hard - really hard.

And that's it. The urban myth becomes reality and after some soul searching she is forced to comes to terms with it and decides on how her 'power' should be best put to use. And that's it. Nothing much else really.

In Dawn and her friends other-worldly bubble, the characters are distanced from the real world and its inhabitants - a fine tightrope of plot device director Mitchell Lichtenstein fails to control.

As a result, what could have been a great movie is just OK. The plot sags, the character development may be quirky if unbelievable at times but the general over-all feel of Teeth will keep suited audiences on its good side.

The hint of comedy keeps the plot fresh while the money shots (you know what I'm talking about) are suitably gory enough to warrant its 18 rating.

The only bad thing about a fresh plot is the over-eagerness of big-time studios to pounce and press the repeat button. Whether or not Dawn has chewed her way through enough of America to do a sequel, remains a mystery.

Rating: 5/10