The Gist
Darren Shan and his best friend Steve get tickets to see the Cirque Du Freak (a freak show). After the show Steve recognizes one of the performers as a vampire and when Steve confronts the vampire at the end of the show Darren learns some interesting information about his friend. Later when Darren and Steve get into some trouble and Steve’s life is on the line Mr. Crepsley offers to help but only if Darren will become his assistant. Darren has to then choose between saving his best friends life and leaving his family and friends forever to become a creature of the night.
What We Think
What We Think
Reviewed by The North Star
Run Time: 109
Rating: PG-13
I’m going to warn you right now that this movie is probably one of the worst movies in terms of following the book. They completely cut out characters even if they weren’t that big they still cut out characters that provided information in later books and were still important. They also added characters that don’t come until later books and made events occur that also don’t happen till later books. All that aside it was sort of an entertaining movie but I’m not really the greatest judge because the whole time I was hitting my head against the back of my chair hoping they would get something right. Anyways, if you haven’t read the book you will probably enjoy the movie but if you read the book even if you don’t care if they don’t get matching the books and movies right you will still be annoyed by this. I sound really harsh but see the movie if you don’t believe me. The story aside the acting was great. John C. Reilly played an AMAZING Mr. Crepsley, Josh Hutcheson (who I love in all movies and is very attractive) again did fantastic as Steve and the newcomer Chris Massoglia played a very hot Darren and I can’t wait to see him in movies in the future. The only character that really bothered me was the monkey girl. The acting was fine but THE CHARACTER ISN’T IN THE BOOK. They made some weird love interest person when Darren already has a love interest who is in the 3rd book so she should have been in the movie (the movie was the first three books all together). Other than that it was an okay movie but definitely read the book because I really bet that you will like it.
Real Teen Rating~ If you have read the books: C- : I’d rather read a book.
Real Teen Rating~If you haven’t read the books: B+: Worth Watching
Reviewed by Dream Catcher
Well, let me tell you, this movie was ABSOLUTELY NOTHING LIKE THE BOOK IN ANY POSSIBLE WAY. It was horrifying how far they strayed from the plot of the beloved Cirque du Freak book series. Truly, truly horrifying. Okay. I’m done ranting. But, seriously, if you’re one of those people who is infuriated by a movie unlike the original book (the North Star!) you should NOT see this movie. You wouldn’t be able to sit through it. But, if you haven’t read the books, I would recommend you see this movie. Not because of the acting, or the plot. But just so you would witness the obscene corniness that is Cirque du Freak the movie. It’s so corny its almost funny. I must say, the acting was pretty good in the movie. As the North Star mentioned, John C. Reilly played a fantastic Mr. Crepsley, and Josh Hutcherson played the role of Steve perfectly. However – and there always is a “however”! – the main actor was extremely AWKWARD in my opinion. Bits and pieces of his performance as Darren were great. But the rest seemed almost sloppy. His unusual acting only seemed to add to the corniness of the movie. Overall, the movie got a few hearty laughs out of me. It was a good movie to watch with some crazy friends, when you just want to watch a bad movie for the fun of it.
Real Teen Rating~ If you have read the books: C- : I’d rather read a book.
Real Teen Rating~ If you have not read the books: B : Rent it to save for a rainy day.
Reviewed by Living Destiny
Reviewed by Living Destiny
This movie was, I have to agree, not like the book series AT ALL. There were at least two characters that were in the movie that weren’t in the book at all (the monkey girl and this dude with a huuuggee head). There were also multiple characters completely left out (since the movie was the first three books, they were missing Alan, Tommy, and Debbie. To name a few). Some characters were introduced way too early (Gavner, Murlaugh and Mr. Tiny). Evra was way downplayed in the movie. And, my personal favorite, there was one character that magically changed genders (Corma, who is Cormac in the book). Sooo much of the plot was left out or changed. There were little details that were completely messed up (the Little People and Madame Truska). If I were reviewing this movie based solely on the books, it would get a C. Maybe.
But I’m not just basing it on the books (which is very good for this movie). And the movie was very very funny. There were some wicked intense fight scenes. John C. Reilly was an amazing Mr. Crepsley. He was so sarcastic and funny. It was awesome. Chris Massoglia, a relative newcomer in the world of cinema, was pretty good at playing Darren Shan. He was a little bit awkward, but it worked with his character. Josh Hutcherson played an amazing Steve Leonard. It was creepy how good he was. He and Massoglia were WICKED HOTT (especially after Darren becomes a half vampire)! The whole cast was awesome. The scripting was pretty good too. There was one scene my friends and I just rewound over and over and over. We literally watched it 20 times it was so funny, and we cracked up every single time.
This movie was really entertaining. The special effects were great, the casting was awesome, and it was funny. In following the books it was terrible, and if you haven’t read the books, you absolutely should. But as a pure movie, it was good.
Real Teen Rating~ If you’ve read the books: C+: Go for it, but don’t get expectations too high…
Real Teen Rating~ If you haven’t read the books: A-: See it with some friends
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