With the current vampire obsession, there’s certainly plenty of room for a teenage bloodsucking flick that doesn’t take itself so seriously—one that’s not overwhelmed by angst, sighs and suffering. Unfortunately, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant, doesn’t quite fill that niche. While it does have its highlights, this time the bony finger of complaint must be pointed at casting and editing.

Surrounded by some fabulous actors like John C. Reily, Ken Watanabe, Salma Hayek, Orlando Jones and Willem Dafoe, the film is placed squarely on the under-developed shoulders of Chris Massoglia. He’s good looking enough in that generic tween way, but he mumbles so badly we can barely even understand his own name. I’m not sure if it’s perceived teen ennui or an inability to act, but he shows little emotion or response—he is completely overwhelmed by the talent around him, which is not a good quality in a lead upon which a studio hopes to hang a franchise. In essence, the kid has zero charisma.

The film starts out promisingly enough, with credits that set a vibrant, spunky tone—they help you anticipate a darkly comedic ride. And to an extent, you get one: Clean cut teenage boy with minor family issues visits a freak show with a mischievous friend, where the two accidentally get involved with vampires. They end up becoming half vampires themselves and dwelling among the dark ones who are involved in their own rivalries. The two boys eventually wind up on opposite sides of the feud. You will see many similarities to Tim Burton’s Big Fish, but it lacks the finesse. Continuity is thrown to the wind and some scenes are vague and unfinished.

I feel for the film’s director and co-writer, Paul Weitz, who seemed a likely choice for the project since he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for About a Boy, which he also directed, along with American Pie. He also produced The Golden Compass and Nick and Norah’s Infinite Play List. But while he was toiling away on this teen vampire light film, his brother was called upon to direct the behemoth New Moon, the latest installment of the Twilight Saga—and the two films are being released within a month of each other. No one should face that kind of competition or comparison, especially brothers. The only thing Cirque has going for it is that it plays to a much younger audience—something for the kids to see while their older sisters and even mothers are moaning over Edward and Bella in the same Cineplex.

Rated PG-13

--Lisa Johnson Mandell