reviewed by Charity Bishop
     

When the international best-selling series of books by Irish author Darren Shan first appeared in the public eye, vampire fanatics and Goths rejoiced. The novels followed the misadventures of a young man caught up in a war between feuding vampire clans while traveling with a band of lovable "freaks" in a side show. The first several books have been condensed into this film.

Darren Shan's parents have his life all figured out for him: college, job, family, in that order. He gets good grades in school because he has no alternative and tries not to misbehave since it could get him grounded. But at sixteen, Darren Shan (Chris Massoglia) believes there is more to life than the mundane. His most recent shenanigan with his best friend Steve (Josh Hutcherson) has resulted in his parents coming to the conclusion that Steve is a negative influence. They demand that he end the friendship. Rather than complying, he and Steve decide to sneak out and visit the Circ de Freak, a traveling side show that promises the most unusual freaks in the world. Seated in the creepy theatre, they are treated to such entertainment as the bearded lady (Salma Hayek), a woman who can grow back her limbs, a "Wolf Man," a man with two stomachs that can digest anything, and one with no stomach -- or internal organs-- at all! And let's not forget "snake boy"! But the most impressive act is that of Larten Crepsley (John C. Reilly) and his giant, poisonous spider.

Within minutes, Steve recognizes him as a notorious figure from one of his many vampire books -- but Darren is far more interested in Crepsley's spider. Sneaking into the dressing room later to have a better look at it, impulsively he stuffs the creature's cage into his backpack and makes off with Crepsley's most beloved pet. The following day at school the spider is accidentally released and defending itself against Steve, leaves him with a fatal bite. Sheepishly, Darren makes his way back to the theatre to beg Crepsley's forgiveness and an anecdote. Crepsley agrees to save his friend but then in exchange demands a high price, one that will change Darren's life forever...

When I first started seeing previews for this film I was not impressed. It looked too weird for my taste. Similarly, when it turned up in my postal box after moving up in my rental queue, I didn't expect much of it and was even sorry that it came so fast after its release. Imagine my surprise to fall in love with it over the course of two hours. It captures your interest from the beginning with a blend of sarcasm, satire and dark humor but also has a very gothic undertone. The perils are real even if we do have a quip now and again, and there are enough intimidating fight scenes and creepy creatures skulking about in the background to satisfy any horror fan. It is something of a horror film, but with hilarity entwined. If you're not a fan of "dark humor" you might not like it, but the deadpan delivery and corrections of the many "myths" surrounding vampirism are priceless. (Whether or not they can transform into bats is addressed, and we see that one coffin has been fitted with music speakers.) Crepsley paints their affliction not as something romantic but something that is ultimately sad and terribly lonely -- an eternity of watching the people you live die ("It's depressing!"). If you enjoy such stories it's an unusual approach to the material and the cunning pacing of the script reveals that it has been adapted from a successful novel.

Some have complained that it's too juvenile (I did not feel this was true) and doesn't have much character development, but it's not really a character-driven film so much as one pushed forward with superior special effects and the audience's delight in this unusual and slightly creepy world. It is set in modern times but also has a bit of a timeless twist to it and the set design is magnificent and surreal. It takes us on an adventure and that's what a good fantasy film does. The greatest concern for Christian audiences is going to be the supernatural aspect, which does not stop at vampires; the bearded lady has talent for knowing what is going to happen in the future (a moment later, she doesn't remember what she said). There is also a man known as Mr. Tiny whose role it is to dabble in "fate." He arranges for things to happen so that characters might fulfill their destiny, and reveals that their fates have been written out in a book. He also possesses a power to transform dead bodies into tiny, misshapen "little people" who then are enslaved to him. It's a very weird movie and some of the "freaks" are especially disconcerting (especially the woman who can break off her limbs and grow them back). Language is present (to his credit, Darren does not swear and uses "heck" instead); there are scattered profanities and several uses of s**t. There is a reference to skin magazines (we don't see them). The bearded lady wears cleavage-revealing outfits. Violence is present but rarely gruesome -- there are numerous scenes of vampires throwing one another around and attempting to kill each other; headstones are smashed, shovels are implemented as weapons, knives are used to stab one another; they are thrown against walls, ceilings, and through solid objects. The Wolf Man tears a woman's arm off; we see the severed stump and bloody limb, before she grows it back (her muscles and flesh appear before the skin does). She doesn't mind losing limbs, either -- she snaps one of her fingers off and shares it with her boyfriend later, who has no midsection (we see his ribs and spinal column, along with a few organs; fortunately, most of the time he is fully dressed). A vampire snaps someone's neck and throws him off a roof. One of the "little people" removes his heart from his chest and shows it to someone; he also has a habit of biting fingers.

It's a little grotesque and very funny. If the former is not your thing then I would recommend passing over this in your local rental store, but if you have an interest in the genre it is well worth watching. I was surprised at how enjoyable and entertaining it was. I'm not sure why it did not do as well in theaters as hoped and must conclude that the critics merely did not understand or appreciate it and the masses were unaware of it. Or maybe it's that more modern audiences want their vampires to sparkle. Not me. I like my vampires to serve as reminders that eternal life without salvation is meaningless, something Circ du Freak does very well.