THE VAMPIRES ASSISTANT MOVIE REVIEW
AN ADAPTATION FOR VAMPIRE LOVERS
The Vampires Assistant movie review is all about the second movie in the Cirque du Freak series, based on the 12-part book series by Darren O’Shaughnessy.
This article reveals:
- An in-depth summary
- Audience Recommendation
- Rating
- Quotes
… and more!
The Cirque du Freak series created hundreds of book lovers. The dark and twisted concepts written for middle-school-level readers were perfect books for the emo and punk generation of the early 2000s. But as an adult, I still find these books entertaining. This series turned book haters into bookworms, ready to devour anything relating to vampires, werewolves, and other creatures of the night. Are you one of those readers?
Keep reading to see why this movie is perfect for creating young book lovers.
SUMMARY OF THE VAMPIRES ASSISTANT MOVIE
This Cirque Du Freak film opens up with Darren playing games on his phone in a coffin six feet underground while his friends and family hold a funeral for him.
Based on the title of the movie, we can assume that he is a vampire.
Darren is a good kid – he has straight A’s that make his parents happy, he has plenty of friends, and seems to lead a relatively normal life. His best-friend Steve is the only thing in his life that puts him a little off balance. Steve is a troublemaker and consistently brings Darren into his schemes.
When the Cirque du Freak show comes into town for one night only, Steve convinces Darren to break out of his house and attend. A night of secret freaky fun quickly turns dark when the show gets raided by the townspeople, Darren tries to become a vampire, and Steve steals the spider.
The rest of the movie follows Darren and Steve as they struggle to fit into this new world of strange creatures and eternal nightlife. Good and evil face off against each other, and the teen boys will tip the scales of fate.
THE VAMPIRES ASSISTANT MOVIE REVIEW
While this movie does take a few liberties from the book, it is an entertaining story that all ages can enjoy. Because of the likeability of the characters and plot, young book-haters will watch this movie and become so interested that they will be driven to read the entire book series, just to learn more about the Cirque du Freak life.
Vampire lovers will see a new take on the rules and principles of immortality, especially how one might become a vampire. Although some of the vampire history and the histories of the “freaks” are not deeply explained, there is enough of a backstory so viewers won’t be confused.
The cinematic effects are very cool! Shots are overlapped and flipped, which creates a disorienting effect that mimics what the characters are feeling. There are a lot of camera illusions that highlight the trippy and hypnotizing vibe of Cirque du Freak.
The actors in this movie were PERFECT for their roles. Darren and Steve were both relatable and interesting to watch. Their progression from awkward high-school teens into young men of the night will keep movie watchers glued to the screen in anticipation of their next big character development.
I highly recommend this movie to Millenials who are still in love with vampires and to young teens that don’t really like reading and just need a little push in the right direction.
WATCH THE VAMPIRE’S ASSISTANT ON AMAZON NOW!
QUOTES FROM THE VAMPIRES ASSISTANT MOVIE
DARREN
“You know, sometimes it seems like life is all planned out. There’s no choice in the matter. We’re all going to end up in the same place whether we like it or not. But sometimes things aren’t so simple.
You can end up hurting the people you love the most, betraying the people you want to come through for.”
LARTEN CREPSLEY
“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. I am so excited to be here in an anonymous small town which used to have character but is now just a bland suburb filled with chain stores and surrounded by slums. It really is a pleasure to be here.”
MR. TINY
“Oh, I’m not a freak. I despise freaks.
Can a freak travel back and forth between life and death? I think not.
Can a freak create new life from rotting flesh and dead souls? Please!
Can a freak bring about the apocalypse and rule the world? No.
Sadly, neither can I… not without help.”
REBECCA
“Being human isn’t about what you are. It’s about who you are.”
CAST AND CHARACTERS
DARREN SHAN
Darren, played by Chris Massoglia, is the main character of the story. He is a teenager in high school, has straight A’s, and plenty of friends. Despite his happy and normal life, he is dragged into the dangerous world of monsters, freaks, and fate.
LARTEN CREPSLEY
John C. Reilly plays Crepsley in The Vampires Assistant. At about 200 years old, he is one of the “good” vampires, one who wants peace between all creatures. Despite risk to himself, he turns Darren into a half-vampire to save his life and becomes his over-protective mentor.
STEVE LEONARD
Steve, played by Josh Hutcherson, is the troubled and dark best friend that turns into an evil vampire. With a dad out of the picture and a constantly intoxicated mom, Steve has not had the easiest life. His only friend is Darren, so when he is no longer in Steve’s life, he tips over the edge and falls to the dark side.
REBECCA
Jessica Carlson is the actress that plays Rebecca, otherwise known as the “monkey girl”. She is one of the freaks in the Cirque du Freak troupe, but because of her easily hidden tail, Darren assumes that she is a normal girl. He has a crush on her but struggles with her odd nature. She is a beacon of hope as Darren struggles to adjust to his new life.
EVRA
Patrick Fugit is Evra, the snake boy. His real passion is music, but he has to continue to perform in the Cirque du Freak shows to help support their lives. Covered in green scales with small sharp teeth and reptilian eyes, Evra is one of the most memorable characters.
MADAME TRUSKA
Salma Hayek is one of the most well-known actors in this movie. She plays Madame Truska, a beautiful fortune-telling psychic who can grow a full beard on command. She is dating Crepsley.
MR.TALL
Ken Watanabe is Mr.Tall. He is the leader of Cirque du Freak and takes care of all of its inhabitants. Mr.Tall is also the ringleader during the secret shows.
MR.TINY
Michael Cerveris is the actor that plays Mr.Tiny in The Vampires Assistant. He is the evil force that drives the plot forward and seems to think of himself as “fate”. The intention behind all of his nefarious actions is to start a war between the different factions of the creatures of the night.
THE BOOK
Did you know that The Vampires Assistant is based on a book?
Cirque Du Freak is a 12-part book series starring Darren Shan, a teenage boy who suddenly gets thrown into the world of shadows and scary stories.
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant: The Saga of Darren Shan, Book 2
CIRQUE DU FREAK BOOKS IN ORDER
- CIRQUE DU FREAK
- THE VAMPIRE’S ASSISTANT
- TUNNELS OF BLOOD
- VAMPIRE MOUNTAIN
- TRIALS OF DEATH
- THE VAMPIRE PRINCE
- HUNTERS OF THE DUSK
- ALLIES OF THE NIGHT
- KILLERS OF THE DAWN
- THE LAKE OF SOULS
- LORD OF THE SHADOWS
- SONS OF DESTINY