October 29, 2009
One of life's little ironies: really brilliant books often don't translate well to the screen, but it seems that badly written mediocre rubbish can actually make pleasing and entertaining films. This is based on the first two books in the interminable Darren Shan Cirque du Freak series, but whoever adapted them used sound judgement to ditch their baffling inconsistencies and implausibilities and tone down their stomach-turning sensationalism. The writers have done a splendid job. Now we have characters who are understandable and sympathetic, a plot that works and is exciting, all helped by performers of the stature of John C. Reilly (as the hero's vampire mentor Crepsley), Willem Dafoe as his old friend, and Salma Hayek as the bearded lady. The baddies were seriously unpleasant and threatening, the kids who play Darren himself, his nemesis Steve, and his new friends in the circus were also excellent. The FX were top-notch, the cinematography stunning. Thoroughly recommended, and in fact I may have to go back and see it again.