If you're a fan of vampire films you will absolutely love "Cirque Du Freak: Vampire's Assistant" (currently playing in theaters). It's not your typical "Twilight" vampire story where the two main characters fall in love but they can't be together... blah... blah... blah. Don't get me wrong. Vampire books and movies are awesome, but this film has more of a comical view of a vampire's life. This film is based on the first three books of the now twelve-book series by Darren Shan.
It's a story of two best friends who are pushed down different paths. Darren (Chris Masangloia) was forced to make a pact with Larten Crepsley (John C. Reilly) in order to save his best friend Steve (Josh Hutcherson). The pact was that if Darren accepted to become half-vampire and be Crepsley's assistant then his friend could live. The funny part of this is that in order for him to become a vampire they need to exchange blood. You're expecting this dramatic transformation and then, you get nothing. Yeah he turned into half-vampire but with no bite to the neck or any of the usual shenanigans. But even though this film was funny there were also parts were I expected much more then what was given.
I have never read the series of books the film is based on but my friend read all twelve. He was very disappointed with the film adaptation. He said "this film was NOTHING like the books! Who the hell is the monkey girl?!" He pointed out a lot of scenes in the movie where he was confused because it was very different from the book. Then when the ending came along we were baffled. It's like there was this build up that didn't really pay off. The ending was just a big question mark.
Besides the differences from the book to the film, the film was still very interesting to me. The plot together was very confusing but other than that it was hilarious. John C. Reilly did an amazing job in this movie! He did a great job changing his emotions: He'd be funny through some points then serious and it all fit together well! You may have seen him in other films like "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" or "Stepbrothers."
"Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant" (rated PG-13 for sequences of intense supernatural violence and action, disturbing images, thematic elements and some language) is worth going to watch. If you're ready for a good laugh Then "Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant" is a great choice!
--Lourdes “Lulu” Pegueros is currently a senior at Mount Miguel High School. She’s been in the Marching band for three years and after high school she plans on joining the Navy to join the Naval band. She wanted to be a teen critic because it seemed interesting and she loves watching movies.
