Year of release: 2009
Director: Paul Weitz
Stars: John C. Reilly, Josh Hutcherson, Chris Massoglia, Jessica Carlson, Michael Cerveris, Ray Stevenson, Patrick Fugit, Orlando Jones, Frankie Faison, Willem Dafoe, Salma Hayek, Ken Watanabe, Colleen Camp, Patrick Breen, Jane Krakowski, Don McManus
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Thriller
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 5
Synopsis:The new film from Paul Weitz adapts the well known book from Darren Shan, who is part of a series of 12 books. The film follows the story of Darren a young teenager, who is the perfect son. He is a good student, a good brother to his little sister and has always his best friend Steve around. Unlike Darren, Steve is more of a troublemaker. When a mysterious vaudeville/circus act comes to the city, both friends attend it. There they become acquainted with some of the entertainers, one of whom Steve believes is a vampire. Darren steals a deadly spider from Larten Crepsley one of the main entertainers, who ends up biting Steve. To save his best friend, Darren agrees to become part-vampire and work as an assistant to Crepsley. This is the beginning of his adventures. The film from Paul Weitz (who co-directed and created "American Pie" and "About a Boy" with his brother Chris Weitz), is an entertaining one that though cramped by a standard screenplay, still manages to retain a certain charm and enjoyment. The story follows the usual best friends on opposing tracks, but thanks to the charisma of the senior actors, the story retains a touch and an edge that keeps the viewers interested. The film ends up faltering since it feels rushed and underdeveloped, but nonetheless it serves a basic entertainment concept. The acting is uneven, but John C. Reilly is always good no matter what he does, the same going for Willem Dafoe who creates an interesting character. Worth checking without any expectations.
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