Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant

Running Time: 109 minutes

Summary: A young boy named Darren Shan meets a mysterious man at a freak show who turns out to be a Vampire. After a series of events Darren must leave his normal life and go on the road with the Cirque Du Freak and become a Vampire.

Review: Every once in a while, I come across a movie that makes me want to go back in time so that I can watch it again for the first time. Generally it's a lesser know film, something that managed to slip through the cracks of the general public of moviegoers. A movie that has a quality that makes me want to watch it all the way through and then rewind (back when we had to) and watch it all over again. Movies like Shaun of the Dead, Closer, 28 Days Later...

Cirque du Freak has grabbed me this way as well.

The movie's story is based on a graphic novel of the same name and although I initally though it was more of a children's story, after seeing the movie and hearing some of the mature content and language, I am surprised that I ever thought that. I would say that the only short coming of this movie is that it leaves you with a complete cliffhanger ending with no sign of a second film in the works!! Suffice it to say that I went online immediately and reserved all 4 books at my local public library and am very excited to see what happens next!

The star of this movie is clearly John C Reily. In pretty much everything I have seen him in he has been exceptional. In this film he is brooding and funny, his comic timing is exceptional; he is an absolute pleasure to watch. The Cirque freaks are sprinkled with many memorable faces, Salma Hayek, Patrick Fugit, Orlando Jones, Wilem DaFoe, Jane Krakowski, who are all wonderful in their roles.

In summary, this is a great movie that is deceivingly adult. The characters are well written and interesting, the story is fast paced and exciting, this movie is a must not miss!

Best Quote: Larten Crepsley - "Thank you ladies and gentlemen. I am so excited to be here in an anonymous small town that used to have character but is now just a bland suburb filled with chain stores and surrounded by slum. [awkward silence in audience] It really is a pleasure to be here. And I am SO honoured that bla bla bla and so on and so forth and excetera adnosium."

Rating: 8.5 nests out of 10