At the Movies with Fatwayne

This movie is adapted from a twelve book series by Darren Shan called The Saga of Darren Shan. This being the case, plus the way the movie concluded, there would be plenty of material for a sequel or two! In my opinion, this is a very good thing because this is a very good movie!

This is a story about a 16 year old high school boy who seems to have everything going for him except that he is a bit bored and impatient with the maturing  process. Darren Shan (Chris Massoglia) and his best friend, Steve Leonard (Josh Hutcherson) find out about a traveling freak show and decide that it would be fun to sneak out that night and see it. While there, Steve recognizes one of the performers Larten Crepsley (John C. Reilly) as a vampire whose picture  he saw in one of his books. After the show, the boys decide to go their separate ways. Darren sneaks into Crepsley’s dressing room and, being a spider freak, steals Crepsley’s giant pet arachnid. Before he can effect his escape, Crepsley returns to his quarters. Steve shows up and tries to convince Crepsley to turn him into a vampire because of his miserable life. Crespley refuses telling Steve that he has bad blood. Steve is infuriated and threatens to kill Crepsley.

After Steve departs, Larten Crepsley discovers that his spider, Madam Octa,  is missing and goes in pursuit of Darren who is running for his life. He is saved by the occupants of a limo that just happens to come onto the scene. It is here that he meets Desmond Tiny or Mr. Tiny (Michael Cerveris) and Murlough (Ray Stevenson). The film does not explain just what type of creature Mr. Tiny is but he is very powerful and seems to command the respects of the odd people that populate his world. Murlough is what is referred to as a Vampaneze. This is what you would think of when you recall the stereotypical vampire.

On the flip side you have the vampires like Larten Crepsley and Gavner Purl (Willem Dafoe). They are much more likable as they do not kill their human victims or turn them. In fact, they use their sharp fingernails to make a slight incision to get the blood they need to survive. Then they use their saliva to heal the wound. These two factions have been feuding forever but are in the middle of a soon to be broken truce.

Darren brings Madam Octa to school with him and as he is putting her into his locker his friend Steve sees him and inadvertently lets the spider escape into the crowded hallway. The students panic when they see this giant running around and Steve tries to kill it. In the process he is bitten and is on the verge of death. To save his friend, Darren goes to Crepsley and asks for the antidote. Crepsley agrees to cure Steve only if Darren becomes a half vampire and his assistant. Darren agrees and is turned by Crepsley via a process that looked strangely like “give me ten with the hands!).

Darren tries to renege on his deal after Steve is given the antidote but finds that his new vampire urges are too dangerous since he almost feeds on his younger sister. Reluctantly he goes to Larten Crepsley and begins his training to be an assistant. Crepsley brings him to the camp of the Cirque people where he lives.

In the interim, Murlough, following orders from Mr. Tiny, turns Steve. Darren has not drank any blood and refuses to and so his powers are not very great. Steve, now a Vampaneze, attacks his teacher and eagerly feasts on his blood. Mr. Tiny wants the fragile truce between the vampire factions to end and so sets the two boys against each other.

Darren and some of his freak friends along with Crepsley become wrapped up in a fight with Murlough, Steve and Mr. Tiny. Who wins and who lives happily ever after will not be divulged here. It is a satisfying ending and certainly seems to indicate a sequel may be in the works.

John C. Riley is perfect as the aging vampire and Willem Dafoe is fun as the somewhat sleazy looking Purl. The freaks are interesting if not somewhat disturbing to look at. Selma Hayek as Madame Truska is, as always, stunningly beautiful even with her whiskers. Jessica Carlson plays Rebecca who is Darren’s love interest. What is unforgettable about her is her tail! You see she has a tail just like a monkey (what did you think I meant?)!

Quotes from the movie are at  http://www.tvmoviequotes.com/cirquedufreakthevampiresassistant.htm

Rated  – PG13  -

Fatwayne’s Rating  -    -