CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRES ASSISTANT **

Paul Weitz wrote and directed this Fantasy/Adventure which stars: John C. Reilly, Ken Watanabe, Josh Hutcherson, Chris Massoglia, Ray Stevenson, Patrick Fugit, Orlando Jones, Willem Dafoe, Salma Hayek. Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense supernatural violence and action, disturbing images, thematic elements and some language. Run time is one hour and forty-eight minutes.

Based on the popular series of books by Darren Shan, the film is a fantasy-adventure about a teenager (Massoglia) who unknowingly breaks a 200-year-old truce between two warring factions of vampires when he's turned into a "half vampire" by the real deal (Reilly) who's trying to help him. Pulled into a life of misunderstood sideshow freaks and grotesque creatures of the night, he leaves the safety of a boring existence, battles his former best friend (Hutcherson), and moves toward his destiny in a place drawn from nightmares.

Vampires just aren't what they used to be in yet another take on the increasingly popular vampire genre. Reilly's character is a wry, reasonably friendly 200-year-old vampire with a dry sense of humor, but without fangs, who takes the occasional sip of blood from unsuspecting humans. Because the producers of this film are obviously hoping for sequels, you never learn much about what's happening or why. And the ending leaves you completely up in the air. I enjoyed Reilly's character. The two boys are not at all compelling, although that may not make much difference to the intended audience of tweener girls. The rest of the cast is interesting with a surprising number of recognizable names. The film is juvenile, although again, considering the intended audience that may be a plus. I really doubt this film will do well enough to justify a sequel which means you're probably better off reading the books (there are twelve of them). At least that way you'll be able to find out what happens in the end.