Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant

Tons of fun, but far too childish to be taken seriously.

The film is a convoluted mess of ideas and mythology, and while all of it is potentially interesting none of it is fleshed out near well enough to make any of it even slightly worthwhile.

This is one of the worst films of the year.

Unfortunately Weitz can't quite get a handle on what the film should be, despite teaming up with the talented Brian Helgeland on the script.

A vampire movie in sore need of a transfusion.

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant is the first installment of a proposed franchise, and it’s doubtful we’ll ever see any sequels.

Since it's the first piece of a complex and lengthy series, more questions than answers are presented.

As the vampire Larten Crespley, Reilly actually brings out both his sincere and sarcastic sides.

An adequate mood setter for the season -- a pretty neat concept that may be slightly overambitious, but still entertaining fluff.