How many of us have wondered what high school would’ve been like if we had had magic powers?

Well, for the curious few - or maybe many - then The Covenant is something you should see.

The movie deals with the Sons of Ipswich---Caleb Danvers (Steven Strait), Pogue Parry (Taylor Kitsch), Reid Garwin (Toby Hemingway) and Tyler Sims (Chace Crawford)--- the direct decsendents of the founders of the colony of Ipswich, who also happened to be witches. On their 13th birthdays, each of the boys’ power is awakened. And when they turn 18, they “Ascend,” gaining even more power.

When the colony was orginally settled, the five families joined in a covenant to stay silent about their powers. During the Salem Witch Trials, however, the fifth family was discovered due to their lust for more power and reportedly wiped out.

Now, just days before Caleb is to turn 18 and Ascend, a dead student is found after a party is held by the students of the elite Spencer Academy. At first, Caleb believes it to be Reid, the hot-tempered one of the bunch. But after he recieves a Darkling---an image of the dead boy---he realizes he is dealing with more power than he has ever known. Soon, suspicion begins to creep in that perhaps the fifth Son of Ipswich is alive and very well after all. Chase Collins (Stebastian Stan) is a new transfer to Spencer Academy. Almost from the beginning, he takes a keen interest in the four boys. He becomes friends with Pogue’s girlfriend Kate (Jessica Lucas), hangs out with the boys at Nicky’s bar, and even joins the swim team that Pogue and Caleb are stars of. At first, no one seems to pay him any attention, except for a jealous Pogue. But when Chase races Caleb at the pool, Caleb sees Chase’s eyes go black, something that only someone with the Power can do. Even though Chase saved him from drowning, Caleb isn’t so sure about their new “friend.”

After some extensive reasearch, including breaking into the school’s Admissions building to take a peek at Chase’s records, they discover that Chase is, indeed, the fifth son of Ipswich. And he hasn’t come to them for a family reunion.

Caleb and the others know what’s going to happen to them when they use too much power. They age more rapidly than any normal person. In fact, Caleb’s father, who is age 44, looks as though he belongs in a nursing home. But Chase, who was raised by adoptive parents, has no idea about his true heritage. Not until he kills his adoptive parents and finds his birth parents does he truly understands his power. And once he sees what he can do, all he wants is more. And he’ll do anything he can to get it from Caleb when he Ascends, including hurting his friends and using Caleb’s new girlfriend Sarah (Laura Ramsey) as bait.

While most people may just brush this movie off as a Harry Potter rip-off, just wait. Although they do acknowledge their scarred predessor---as evident when Reid announces that “Harry Potter can kiss my ass”---this movie has a flair and style all on its own. The movie was produced by people who know their horror genre stuff: Executive Producer James McQuaide was also executive producer for Underworld. Executive Producers J.S. Cardone, Carol Kottenbrook and Scott Einbinder have collaborated on a number of movies, including The Forsaken. And Executive Producer Andre Lamal has his named attached to such projects as The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Wicker Park.

And the numbers speak for themselves. Released on Sept. 8, The Covenant has shown staying power by landing at numer 8 on this week’s Box Office results. In the three weeks it has been out, it has grossed $20,305,000. And though it dropped from number 4 last week to number 8 this week, it shows no signs of slowing down.

You can visit the offical movie Web site at www.jointhecovanent.com and decide for yourself whether or not this is going to be the next movie you see.

It’s a sure bet you’ll be wishing your high school had been that exciting.