If a film includes vampires, it’s usually easy to suck money from moviegoers. Although Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant may not be the best vampire movie ever made, I couldn’t help being drawn into this fantasy adventure about two teenage boys who find themselves on opposing sides of a supernatural battlefield. Both Josh Hutcherson and Chris Massoglia captured my attention with their very different styles of acting, and John C. Reilly piqued my interest right away as a cynical vampire who chooses one of the lads to be his assistant -- much to the dismay of the other.

Darren (Massoglia) and Steve (Hutcherson) prove the old adage about opposites attracting each other. These youngsters simply couldn’t be more unlike in their attitudes and behavior. Darren is “Mr. Perfect,” and Steve likes to be rebellious. On one fateful day, both of their lives change drastically as the result of Steve persuading Darren to attend a mysterious freak show with him. While at the show, the boys sit in wonder and fear as the circus freaks are introduced. However, the star attraction, Larter Crespley (Reilly), gets most of their attention. Crespley plays the flute to calm his poisonous spider, a creature Darren becomes obsessed with. Later, both Darren and Steve visit Crespley -- though separately -- with dissimilar outcomes. SPOILER ALERT. Crespley selects Darren to become a half-vampire, which sets off the conflict between these two best friends. Then when Steve becomes a member of the opposing forces, the battles begin.

Reilly (A Prairie Home Companion) stands out here in a role I thought couldn't possibly be appropriate for him. He endows Crespley with wry sense of humor and world-weary demeanor that helps us sympathize with his character. It’s a nice change of pace for this fine actor! Massoglia (A Plumm Summer) also impressed me with his sensitive portrayal of a youngster forced to assume an entirely new type of existence. And Hutcherson (Bridge to Terabithia) reinforced my belief in him as one of the best young actors around today.                 

Filled with surprises, The Vampire’s Assistant also excels in visual effects and make-up. Each of the “freaks” looks amazing. For example, Salma Hayak (Frida) makes a fetching Bearded Lady; Jane Krakowski (Kit Kittridge: An American Girl) shines as Corma Limbs (you have to see her to understand why); Patrick Fugit (Almost Famous) and Orlando Jones (The Time Machine) intrigue us as Snake Boy and Alexander Ribs -- a misnomer for sure -- respectively. Plus Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai) mesmerizes as Mr. Tall, the man in charge of Cirque du Freak.        

Based on a series of fantasy novels by Darren Shan and directed by Paul Weitz (American Dreamz), The Vampire’s Assistant could have used more humor. Still, the target teenagers at the screening I attended seemed highly amused throughout. They probably didn’t even mind watching the most blatant promise of a sequel ever seen on film.

(Released by Lionsgate and rated “PG-13” for sequences of intense supernatural violence and action, disturbing images, thematic elements and some language.)

For more information about this film, go to the Internet Movie Data Base or Rotten Tomatoes website.