Cirque Du Freak DVDebut
February 23, 2010 is the street date for the DVD/Blu-Ray of the recent tween effort from Universal Pictures. Here is Donny’s positive review.
Synopsis: Young Darren Shan has been fascinated by spiders from an early age. His best friend, Steve “Leopard” Leonard, has grown up reading horror comics and stories of the Wolfman and vampires.One day, a friend of theirs discovers a flyer advertising the “Cirque Du Freak”, a traveling freak show. Steve purchases two tickets and decides to take Darren with him. Darren and Steve are mesmerized by the fantastic and disturbing show, especially by the act of the mysterious Mr. Crepsley and his giant spider Madam Octa.
After the show, Steve sneaks back into the theatre and confronts Mr. Crepsley about the man being a vampire. He demands to become a vampire too, and join the circus as Mr. Crepsley’s assistant. The vampire refuses Steve upon tasting his blood, and declares his blood “evil”. Steve is miserable, and declares revenge on Mr. Crepsley. Unbeknownst to Steve, Darren has been hiding in the theatre, witnessing the confrontation and becoming wary of Steve. Several days later, Darren develops an obsession for Madam Octa, and returns to the theatre to steal her, using his knowledge of Mr. Crepsley’s true nature to his advantage. He trains the spider in secret with a flute that forces the spider to obey his commands. Eventually, Steve visits Darren, demanding to know why Darren is avoiding him. Darren confesses he stole Madam Octa, but does not confess spying on Steve and Mr. Crepsley. When Steve is at Darren’s house playing with Madam Octa, Darren’s younger sister Annie barges into his room, and screams when she sees the spider. Darren gets distracted, losing control over the spider, which hence bites and paralyzes Steve. Steve’s only hope for survival is if Darren makes a deal with Mr. Crepsley to become his assistant.
Steve lives, but Darren is turned into a half-vampire and is thrust into the dark world of the vampires. Darren tries to live amongst humans, but decides to join Mr. Crepsley after nearly attacking his sister. In order to successfully free Darren of all previous bonds, including family, Mr. Crepsley helps his apprentice fake his own death by slowing down Darren’s heartbeat and breathing, breaking his neck, and throwing him out of his bedroom window, perfectly simulating an accidental, but fatal fall. Following the events of Darren’s human body’s funeral, Mr. Crepsley returns and digs Darren up. Unbenownst to Crepsley, however, Steve tries to kill Darren, but chooses not to, saying he is not yet strong enough, instead swearing revenge on Darren for stealing his rightful place of being Mr. Crepsley’s vampire assistant and betraying him. Darren continues following the vampire way.
Source: DVD Empire
