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'Vampire's Assistant': Dull freaks in the ring
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A scene from Cirque du Freak: Vampire's Assistant - Image courtesy of Universal Pictures
Just in time to start off the Halloween season comes “Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant” by director Paul Weitz (“American Pie”, “About a Boy”). The film based on the first three books of the book series The Saga of Darren Shan is a dull fantasy-adventure with the expected characters, modest thrills and a slow-moving plot - all of which will certainly upset many fans.
16-year-old Darren (Chris Massoglia) is not the typical teenager in most suburban neighborhoods. He is the perfect kid whose entire perfect life and future relies on the great college, steady job and ideal family – or so the audience is told repetitively in case his goody-two shoes persona was not enough of a clue. Of course, that is until destiny interferes and Darren goes to a traveling freak show where he meets a vampire named Larten Crepsley (John C. Riley). From then on Darren’s life is turned upside down where he becomes a coveted object between vampires and other deadly forces.
The film has the right formula but never quite delivers on the high expectations of the story in the book series. Yes, the freaks are there – for the most part they are an impressive bunch – and the main characters are poignant but not well-developed. Even though “The Vampire’s Assistant” is meant to be the first chapter of the series the narrative struggles between tedious and frenetic - as if the writers were not sure of what to include or edit out. The only time that it all seems to be working is when the bizarre characters speak creating a few appealing scenes in the film but not enough to keep the audience glued to their seat.
“Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant” is definitely not the adaptation I expected out of the popular book series by Darren Shan. There are freaks, vampires, a snake boy, a Mr. Tall and Mr. Tiny and Salma Hayek’s bearded lady but not enough to make it a freaky show worth the ticket price.
For more info: Tickets and showtime at Fandango
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