Let’s face the fact, folks: Vampire films are not one in a million. There are so many of them, both original and unoriginal, that besides the classics that stand out, they are pretty much six of one, a half dozen of the other. The stories have similar plotlines and, no matter how original you try to make the vampire, it still all dwindles back to the vampire from the Bram Stoker book. This brings me to this film, Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant, a film based on one of many books by writer Darren Shan. The film is based on the first three novels in this twelve-part book series, and while the concept is original in its storyline, the film feels like one big character development project with the story taking a back seat.
The story is about two friends, Darren (Chris Massoglia)and Steve (Josh Hutcherson). The two are polar opposites. Darren is a good-natured kid with good grades while Steve is a troublemaker. The two find a flier inviting them to a freak show at an old theater in town. They sneak out of their houses that night and make their way to the show. During the show, the police raid the theater and Darren and Steve find their way backstage. Darren hides in a closet, as the vampire, Larten Crepsley (John C. Reilly), discusses some issues with a vampire friend (Willem Dafoe). Steven runs into the room, recognizes Crepsley as a vampire from one of the books he has read, and begs Crepsley to turn him into a vampire. Crepsley refuses, saying that Steve has bad blood. Upset by the remark, Steve gets angry and threatens to get revenge. Listening from the closet, Darren sees that his friend is up to no good. However, Darren is more interested in Crepsley’s one-of-a-kind pet spider, and when no one is around, kidnaps the spider. Crepsley finds Darren and the beloved spider and asks Darren to leave his life behind to become a half-vampire and help Crepsley. Darren agrees, and Crepsely turns Darren. However, Mr. Tiny (Michael Cerveris), who has come back from the dead with the power to bring other dead back to life, enters Steve’s life and asks him to join him and the killer vampire clan known as the Vampaneze. Steve agrees and begins to kill people from his past, then turns on his old friend, Darren. He begins to hunt down Darren, his family and friends. Crepsely, Darren and a group of circus freaks, try to stop Tiny, Steve and the Vampaneze before they kill Darren’s family and his love interest, the monkey girl Rebecca.
There is a really great fantastic fantasy horror story behind this film, but the script seems rushed. Rather than telling a story, it becomes a hodgepodge of development of the story’s many characters in anticipation of an inevitable sequel in which the real story will begin. This film did not do well at the box office in the United States, but performed well overseas, so the prospect of a sequel is still up in the air. The script is not bad, but it is not spectacular. The characters are well developed, but the action is not excited well enough to let the viewer grasp what was really going on. It jumps around a lot, and really doesn’t go anywhere.
The film has fantastic dark elements to it. The sets, costumes and elaborate range of creatures and characters give the film the great feel of films like the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter films. The visual effects are great, and the overall feel is fantastic. The acting is pretty good, with a cast of familiar faces in both leading and supporting roles. Besides John C. Reilly and Willem Dafoe, the film features Salma Hayek, Orlando Jones, Ken Watanabe, Jane Krakowski, Frankie Faison, Patrick Fugit and Jessica Carlson.
The Blu-ray disc does not have many features, however there are many things that can be accessed though the BD Live feature or the new Pocket Blu feature through your iPhone or iPod Touch. The disc does, however, include two features: Tour De Freak, a behind-the-scenes look at the film; and Guide to Becoming a Vampire, another feature that takes you behind the making of the film. There is also the U-control feature which allows you to enjoy interactive features while watching the film. The disc also includes exclusive deleted scenes that you can see only on the Blu-ray disc.
While I admire the look and feel of the film, I wish that it had more substance to its story and did not rely so heavily on developing all the characters. I am sure that if there is a sequel, its story will contain more depth, however, Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant is a film that sets up the story rather than telling it. It’s a fun film to watch and has some great production value, but as far as its story it’s just another mediocre vampire fantasy film.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
