Photo by:
The long-awaited sequel to Anne Rice’s blockbuster “Interview with the Vampire,” this cheesy vampire flick seems to lose much in its transition from the page to the screen.
“Queen of the Damned” features the late singer/actress Aaliyah in what will be her only title role as Akasha, a dangerously sexy, evil ancient mother of all vampires who comes to life in modern times.
The film daringly attempts to pack in part of Rice’s second book on vampires and the entire third book into one movie. It manages to capture the spirit of the books, but not the Vampire Chronicles’ true power – their intricate intermingling storylines and fascinating fictional histories.
Directed by Michael Rymer (“Perfume,” “Allie & Me”), “Queen of the Damned” focuses on the flashy rebel vampire Lestat (Stuart Townsend), who awakens from a six decades-long nap at the start of the film to join up with nearby New Orleans gothic heavy metal rockers.
Townsend’s charismatic screen presence manages to keep him at the center of the action; his existential Lestat is more convincing and likable than Tom Cruise’s earlier version.
Also featuring Marguerite Moreau as Jesse, a British paranormal researcher and a member of the vampire-watching Talamasca who isn’t content with simply watching the vampires anymore. Jesse stalks Lestat across the ocean to the bands Gothic Woodstock concert in Death Valley (on Halloween of course).
Unfortunately, Lestat’s brazen high-profile declarations of vampire-hood have upset his fellow vampires who plan on ambushing and destroying him at the concert.
While it lacks the earlier film’s starry cast (Cruise, Brad Pitt, Kirsten Dunst), the film instead focuses on loud music, special effects, stunning costumes and sets, cheeky humor and stylishly edited visual shots (cinematographer Ian Baker captured most of the film in and around Melbourne, Australia).
Even though she is the ostensible villain of the film, Aaliyah brings a great deal of vulnerability to the queen’s fiendish role and is protective of her chosen consort, Lestat (whom had briefly stumbled upon her in an earlier flashback). One must admit it is strange – in a sort of Brandon Lee in “The Crow” sort of way – to watch a deceased actress playing an undead Egyptian queen, but Aaliyah’s performance in this and 2000’s “Romeo Must Die” hints at what might have been.
Screenwriters Scott Abbott and Michael Petroni, along with Director Rymer should be highly praised for taking on the intimidating task of adapting Rice’s sprawling vampiric interlude.
“Queen of the Damned” is MTV-motivated, a flashy vision of the living undead and their worlds, set to a goth-metal soundtrack.
Regrettably, the film has difficultly juggling the stream of characters and their intertwined histories and seems to cry out for a staking.
Devoted fans of the books will appreciate the attempt and better understand the complicated plot; of course they’ll also be shocked by the omissions and creative liberties taken with their Vampire Chronicles.
