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Reviews Want Empire film reviews on your iPhone?
STAR RATINGS EXPLAINED
5 Stars Classic
4 Stars Excellent
3 Stars Good
2 Stars Fair
1 Star Tragic

POSTER ART
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FILM DETAILS
Certificate
12A
Cast
Chris Kelly
John C Reilly
Salma Hayek
Willem Dafoe
Ken Watanabe
Patrick Fugit
Jane Krakowski.
Directors
Chris Weitz.
Screenwriters
Running Time
103 minutes


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Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (12A)

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant
Plot
A14-year-old boy (Chris Kelly) who visits a travelling freak show is drawn into a world of vampires, werewolves and bearded ladies.

Review
When the mysterious circus comes to town errant schoolboy Darren (Chris Mossoglia) runs away with it, made into a half-vamp and prepped by his new master/mentor for his prophesied role in a coming war between undead factions.

Having sold millions internationally, the Cirque du Freak vampire chronicles by UK Darren Shan looked a likely next big thing. But this cluttered, wannabe Burtonesque adaptation of the first three novels is juvenile for adults and violently grotesque for children, homing in on in-betweeners engaged by teen angst and macabre humour.

Plusses include ingenious effects, glam-creepy New Orleans settings and a fun adult ensemble (Watanabe, Salma Hayek, Willem Dafoe), with Reilly’s rough magic as vampire Crepsley. Darren the Chosen One doesn’t impress, however, and this will struggle to fulfil its destiny as a franchise.

Verdict
A talented ensemble helps this pull through despite a leaden lead, but it may still seem too childish for adults and too adult for kids.


Reviewer: Angie Errigo

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Your Reviews
Average user rating for Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant
Empire Star Rating

vampire's Assistant
Empire User Rating

as with the case with most adaptations of popular books. the book remains superior. really cliché i know but someone who isn't peter jackson should do a good job with this sort of material. hope where the wild things are is amazing. check this out. http://www.itsnotatumour.com/kesleyitsnotatumou rcom/will-ferrells-retarded-brother-from-that-film-join s-undead-circuskesley-wilson-review-the-vampires-assisa nt/ ... Read More

bicyclerepairman About me
12:38, 31 October 2009 | Report This Post

Good Book , Fair Film
Empire User Rating

If you haven't read the book series then the film might appeal to you but if you have read the books then I think the film is a failer with different character different storyline and it says its meant to be the first three books but i only counted the first two.When i first heard about this movie I couldn't wait to see this now to disappointed. ... Read More

MckChedder About me
02:21, 26 October 2009 | Report This Post

Boring
Empire User Rating

This didn't have an interesting story to tell. The plot, such as it was, was plodding and disjointed. Perhaps a lot of back story was cut from the books but I'm not sure more narrative would have saved this lame duck of a film. Also struggling to come to terms with Salma Hayek having a beard, that's just wrong. The film might appeal to 13 year old boys but even they could struggle to get interested in this. ... Read More

RogueElement About me
02:08, 26 October 2009 | Report This Post

Cirque Dat Freak
Empire User Rating

A well givin 4 stars. Reily gives a good performance and so does darren and steve. special effects and sets are good. good amount of comedy. only problem is it should have stuck to the books ... Read More

AceCuthbert About me
00:41, 26 October 2009 | Report This Post

Dark But Awesome.
Empire User Rating

Saw this today with my sister and we both loved it. Considering we knew nothing about the novels, only seen the trailer, we went in not expecting a big blockbuster or it being a waste of money. It is very dark and disturbing scenes are not suitable for kids under ten, some of it can be unsettling and the storyline can get a bit grim at times. The lead who plays Darren was the weakest link out of the lot, he didn't really pull me in or felt sorry for him at all. But apart from that it's awesome t... Read More

joanna likes films About me
16:20, 24 October 2009 | Report This Post

DARREN SHAN IS IRISH?!?!?!?!
Empire User Rating

Darren Shan (real name Darren O shaunnessey) is actually an Irish author not UK ... Read More

Thirdmansam About me
16:16, 21 October 2009 | Report This Post

Wrong Director
Empire User Rating

Director is Paul Weitz, not Chris Weitz as written here. I thought it was messy ... Read More

beaudie85 About me
12:53, 21 October 2009 | Report This Post

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