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Cirque du Freak: The Vampire

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant rated 2.5

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Release Date: 23 October 2009
Director: Paul Weitz
Starring: John C. Reilly, Josh Hutcherson, Chris Massoglia, Michael Cerveris
Details: US/108mins (12A)

Obviously intended as an introductory piece to a much larger franchise, Cirque Du Freak has moments of genuine enjoyment, but not one of the many characters is expanded upon enough to really work. John C Reilly's Crepsley is the most interesting human, or vampire, we meet, but his motivations for sparking the shenanigans of the core story are never really addressed, which in turn makes the whole set-up feel like it was based on a whim.

Darren Shan is your typical 16 year old. He gets good grades, is a good big brother and son, and almost never gets in trouble. His best pal Steve on the other hand is a bit of a wrong 'un; coming from a broken home with an alcoholic mother, he's obsessed with vampires. When the lads hear of a freak show coming to town, they both sneak along; ready to have their teenage minds blown. But after Darren goes backstage to have a closer look, he inadvertently hears a conversation that sets into a motion a chain of events that cumulates with him having no choice other than to become a vampire. Alas, that was always Steve's dream; so naturally, friction ensues as they both end up on opposites in a quirky, but often dangerous, underworld.

There's nothing more frustrating that a film that has potential but never fulfils it. Reilly's Crepsley is obviously the core character here, but apart from a couple of throwaway lines from other characters we learn nothing about his past. The always reliable Reilly is clearly out to have some fun with him, and he does, but the audience never really knows where he's coming from, or why he's doing what he is. Hayek's character mention's that he's "lonely"; which really doesn't explain why he'd 'turn' a random kid. While peripheral characters are merely introduced so that Darren has someone to miss when he goes vampire. I'm assuming all of this would be expanded upon in the planned sequel, if indeed it does go ahead.

With book adaptations you're always gonna lose something in translation; but while Cirque du Freak is well made for the most part, the script needed more work and a clearer focus before cameras rolled. There should, however, still be enough here to distract fang seeking teens until New Moon comes out.

Review by Mike Sheridan : Agree/Disagree? Write a review... and win Cinema tickets!

Your Reviews

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Bleh! :| - Katoentjie

I totally LOVED the books! But now I've seen the movie trailers, some scene & stuff... The plot is totally lost! :[ The whole movie, has little to do with the books! Totally sucks! :\
Review Published 07 February 2010

Star Rating: Katoentjie has rated Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant  rated 1

The new twilight? - David215

The cirque du freak vampire chronicles are the competition to the twilight saga. The film is based on the first 3 novels in the saga but it does not adapt well mainly to the poor choice of young lead... MORE
Review Published 19 November 2009

Star Rating: David215 has rated Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant  rated 2

?? - cllccclll

this is by far the strangest movie i have ever seen.. special effects???stupid.... i would advise anyone who is going to see it,DONT.. its so stupid its funny!!! (but not comedy)....
Review Published 13 November 2009

Star Rating: cllccclll has rated Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant  rated 1

Miles ahead of Twilight - HolliHeart_

I read all of the Darren Shan books, inc. his other Demonata series & the film is very different to what I pictured. However, I think they did a brilliant job & it's one of my favourite films... MORE
Review Published 08 November 2009

Star Rating: HolliHeart_ has rated Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant  rated 4

Ok - Walnuts

Get ready for numerous sequels! I did'nt know before watching this that it was based on a book (it didnt take long to realise!). Strange kind of film about a 16 year old boy who becomes a half... MORE
Review Published 05 November 2009

Star Rating: Walnuts has rated Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant  rated 2

not too good - xxx

i think that the film was really weird and i would never read any of the books if u like weird films then you would like it !
Review Published 03 November 2009

Star Rating: xxx has rated Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant  rated 1

the Cast - Nooners4

Just a reply to the official review. You obviously knew from your first comment that is part of a large franchise. you could say the first film is 1/12 th of the bigger picture so is hat not an... MORE
Review Published 02 November 2009

Star Rating: Nooners4 has rated Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant  rated 5

Good.. a slight let down though - Stephanie19

I liked it but having read all the books had expected more. Also, I didnt like the format of putting the first three books into one movie. I think it would have been better to have the first one in... MORE
Review Published 02 November 2009

Star Rating: Stephanie19 has rated Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant  rated 3

What a load of crap i mean a movie based on a book where the only thing it has in common is the name of the characters ??????? - matt man

i loved the darren shan books and read them from the beginning and always wanted them to be made into a movie but this was horrid. i mean the one thing that made darren shan so different was that he... MORE
Review Published 01 November 2009

Star Rating: matt man has rated Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant  rated 1

Overall Pretty good - Matt

I like it, i always loved the books but it kinda lost its magic
Review Published 30 October 2009

Star Rating: Matt has rated Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant  rated 3

never reaches full potential - tb

I saw this film this weekend without having read the books. It's very average. I love all things vampire but my main issue with this film is that it is, in a word boring. It never takes off. The... MORE
Review Published 29 October 2009

Star Rating: tb has rated Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant  rated 2

dreadful!!!! - rory

this movie was absolute dribble, so cheesy and a waist of time. i had read the books and loved them but this destroyed and humiliated the original story line
Review Published 29 October 2009

Star Rating: rory has rated Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant  rated 1

hh - bex

i hope its good
Review Published 25 October 2009

Star Rating: bex has rated Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant  rated 4

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