DVD Reviews

Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant – DVD Review

By Jeff Swindoll Feb 23, 2010, 15:10 GMT

Welcome to the Cirque Du Freak, a traveling sideshow filled with magical creatures, misunderstood freaks, and the mysterious vampire, Larten Crepsley (John C. Reilly). Drawn to the dark, unpredictable world of the Cirque, 16-year-old Darren (Chris Massoglia) decides to trade in his ordinary life for a chance to become an immortal vampire. As Darren explores his newfound powers and faces unexpected enemies, he’ll find that his existence as a member ...more

Cirque Du Freak is based on a series of books by Darren Shan and I’m sure the hope was to adapt the popular undead into a series of films - perhaps stretching out till twilight (hint, hint). These bloodsuckers probably won’t get that series, but the results aren’t anemic. It still has a rushed feeling that might make you pale.

Darren Shan (Chris Massoglia) is a high-schooler with a penchant for spiders. His troubled best friend Steve (Josh Hutcherson) has an obsession with vampires and reads everything he can find on the night stalkers. The duo finds a flyer for a traveling freak show that will be playing a one night only event in their town. They decide to sneak out and go to see the show.

They’re introduced to the Cirque Du Freak and performer Larten Crepsley (John C. Reilly). Darren is fascinated with his spider, Madame Octa, but Steve recognizes him from one of his vampire texts. Darren sneaks into Crepsley’s dressing room to steal the spider and hides in a cupboard when he’s nearly caught.

He overhears Crepsley and fellow vampire Gavner Purl (Willem Dafoe) discussing that a truce with the animalistic Vampaneze is potentially about to come to an end. He also overhears Steve barging into the room and wanting to be turned into a vampire.

Crepsley refuses to grant Steve’s wish and Darren escapes with Madame Octa in tow. He encounters the sinister Mr. Tiny (Michael Cerveris) and the Vampaneze Murlough (Ray Stevenson) who drives him home, but they appear to have ulterior movies.

The next day at school, Steve discovers that Darren has Madame Octa and knows of his wish to become a vampire. In the melee surrounding these revelations, Madame Octa gives Steve a deadly bite sending the boy into a coma. Darren goes back to Crepsley to get the antidote for the bite but he has to agree to become a half-vampire, leave his family forever, and serve Crepsley.

He agrees to the deal and finds that his new family is at the Cirque Du Freak that includes the leader Mr. Tall (Ken Watanabe), bearded lady/fortuneteller Madame Truska (Salma Hayek), reptilian roommate Evra (Patrick Fugit), love interest Rebecca (Jessica Carlson), Corma Limbs (Jane Krakowski), Alexander Ribs (Orlando Jones), and a host of other oddities.

It’s easy to tell that Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant is based on the first three books in the series. Some things feel rushed and glossed over (not that I’m familiar with the books mind you). There are twelve books in the series in a series of four book trilogies.

I would guess that the first trilogy would be a good place to start but you can tell that some compression has been done. From what I can gather the first book dealt with how Darren became a half-vampire, the second with him joining up with the freak show, and the third with a menace in his hometown.

I’m sure more character development went into each of those “episodes.” Vampires and zombies are the hot property of the day and I’m sure that studios are looking to jump onto the shambling coffin of a band wagon.

When I first saw the trailer for the film, I wasn’t sure that John C. Reilly would be one that I’d pick to portray a vampire. Boy, was I wrong and he actually does well in the cloak.

Chris Massoglia is also a likeable lead and doesn’t get all sparkly and brooding like that other vampire. This vampire might have more in common with a certain boy wizard, minus a lightening bolt scar. This vampire series may appeal to an audience slightly younger than that other one, those who don’t go all swoony and romantic over their creatures of the night.

Many of our freaks are portrayed by actors of note but they really don’t have too much to do. Some of them hint at more than we get to see (Watanabe, Hayek, Dafoe) and I’m sure they’re more wisely used in the books. Even Darren’s purpose and destiny is only hinted at, as it unfurls out through several books, and a sequel is set up that is probably not going to happen.

I did like the film in the end, but there’s nothing new to behold and it’s hard to get over the feeling that you’re missing bits here and there. ***image5:center**

Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant is presented in anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1) and is enhanced for 16x9 televisions. Special features include the 20 minute “Guide to becoming a Vampire” behind-the-scenes feature, the 18 minute “Tour Du Freak” tour of the freak show campsite, and 10 minutes of deleted scenes.

The Vampire’s Assistant gets things moving, but maybe too quickly. Those hoping for the next installment in the series may want to pick up the books as the film’s box office won’t guarantee a return trip to this show. John C. Reilly can do no wrong and the film has good performances and a likeable lead, it just all moves too fast.