Review of Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009) by Joe C — 21 Nov 2010

Had potential to be much better, but one of the criticisms that I saw (and agree with) is that this film doesn't know what it is supposed to be. Is it supposed to be straight adventure, comedy, drama, emo? It has no clue. There are some moments where you can squeeze a grimace or two out, but for the most part because the movie is left confused what to do, the audience is as well.

Salma Hayek needed a bigger role. She is a scene stealer, and the 3 minutes that you get to see her just makes you kind of disappointed. John C. Reilly seemed like a good pick for this movie if it had more of a comedic overtone, but like I said, you never get to figure out what genre this movie falls under.

The bad kid was just your typical, annoying, spoiled, white kid who thinks he is unloved. Everyone causes him to be a victim. After his early encounter with the vampires, you wonder why they didn't just finish him off right there. If this were the True Blood universe, even Bill woulda ripped his jugular open (little bastard!)!

Had its moments; could have been great, but fell very short.