JIM reviews “CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE’S ASSISTANT” -- Can it be “CHIC” to be a Freak?!

“CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE’S ASSISTANT” — Can it be “CHIC” to be a Freak?! =

Rating: 7.5 of 10 stars (based on an advance screening).

As “Vampire”-type films go, this is a sort of “CLASSY” example, using a periodically light touch rather than bloody “biting” gore to get it’s “message” across. High school student Darren Shan (CHRIS MASSOGLIA) is a spider-loving guy who tends to often be led astray by his vampire-loving, trouble-causing friend Steve (JOSH HUTCHERSON).

Josh convinces Chris to cut class & join him in attending a “FREAK” show run by Mr. Tall (KEN WATANABE). During the show (& in subsequent scenes), they see people like limb-regrower Corma Limbs (JANE KRAKOWSKI), a Wolfman (TOM WOODRUFF JR.), Alexander Ribs (ORLANDO JONES), the aptly-named Rhamus Twobellies (FRANKIE FAISON), Evra the Snake Boy (PATRICK FUGIT), & Madame Truska (SALMA HAYAK).

Most intriguing is the quasi-magician Larten Crepsley (JOHN C. REILLY), who in actuality is a “good” VAMPIRE (at times “assisted” by Gavner Purl, played with relish by WILLEM DAFOE). John has a performing spider which is attacked by Josh, who is then bitten by the spider. To save Josh’s life, Chris agrees to become an “ASSISTANT” to John. He soon learns that John is in constant conflicts with the evil “Vampaneze” group (such as SHAUN GRANT), led by powerful sorcerer / fiendish Vampire Mr. Tiny (MICHAEL CERVERIS).

To escape the Vampaneze, John leads Chris to the Freak encampment, where he tries to teach Chris how to grow his powers as a vampire. Naturally, Chris gets attracted to a girl there, named Rebecca (JESSICA CARLSON). But, the Freaks & Vampires are regularly pursued by the Vampaneze group, including newly-depraved recruit Josh.

The movie “worked” for me because the various characters stayed “IN” character & played it “straight” as a “good-vs.-evil” story rather than simply for laughs or blood. There was a CLEVERNESS behind it all, plus some good acting by the major performers (particularly John, Chris & Josh) & some enjoyably energetic special effects.

Since this is one of a series of “C-D-F” books, I’d expect this to be the beginning of at least a mini-“franchise” (if the public “chomps” onto this intro film).