Review of Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009) by Thomas W — 13 Nov 2011

There isn't really much to write about Cirque du Freak since it bombed at the box office and it sets itself for a sequel that will now never come. There is really no reason to watch this movie unless you like carnivals, sideshow freaks, John C.

Reilly or are a die-hard vampire fanatic (because there isn't a whole lot of "vampire" on display here). I do like Reilly and think it is funny that he finally found a role that he looks right for -- he also fit in nicely as Mr.

Cellophane in Chicago -- because his rugged looks make it difficult to cast him in just the right roles (porn star in Boogie Nights did actuallly work for him as well but that was because he made it work out for him).

The rest of the cast is most-often covered in some kind of make-up so we dont' see-them see-them such as a lizard boy Patrick Fugit (Almost Famous) and a bearded lady played by Salma Hayek. I almost forgot that Willem Dafoe was in this movie because he is gone for 96% of it.

I will give the filmmakers credit for creating an interesting set and production design; but the story falls flat. There is a slow build-up to a tense scene but it is too easily diffused and then we (the viewer) are told to wait until later -- which would mean the sequel.

This in itself could make the movie a bummer; but unfortunately this isn't the movie's only problem. It doesn't feel polished and it looks kind of as frumpy as co-star Colleen Camp (as the mother of the Vampire's Assistant) who still amazes me that she was once the French maid, Evette, in Clue! What that .

.. !? Cirque du Freak is different and it isn't like all of the other movies out there so I am sure it could provide a bit of entertainment to some; but on a whole ... it doens't need to be messed with.

But after reading this perhaps some will go out there and enjoy it ... which I hope happens because I at least think it deserves to have some respect from some people.