From the director who bought you such family-unfriendly fare as Christiane F (young girl in Berlin declines into a spiral of hard drug abuse and prostitution, before she's sixteen) and Last Exit To Brooklyn (bad, bad times had by society's outcasts in New York) comes an all-new feature picture, The Little Vampire. But wait! It's based upon the well-known series of children's books by Angela Sommer-Bodenburg and stars the kid from Stuart Little (the human one not the mouse) so maybe it won't be a case of grim times had by all. And indeed it proves to be.
The Little Vampire is the story of how a young boy, Tony, and his family set up a new home in Scotland. Tony is the brunt of schoolyard beatings and ridicule, partly because he's American but also due to the fact that he is insistent about his dreams of vampires and their failed ritual three hundred years ago during a ceremony at the time of a comet's passing. And wouldn't you know it the self-same comet is coming round for a return visit real soon. If that were not enough Tony has found a new friend in the shape of Rudolph, a dead cool dude with the emphasis on dead. Rudolph is a vampire, but a nice one that snacks on the local cows and generally avoids human contact, as do his eccentric vampire family. All very idyllic but with the comet deadline fast approaching the vampire clans need to find a magic amulet which will free them of their curse and make them human once more. It's a laudable aim but one that's not shared by Rookery, a professional vampire killer whose family has been slaying the undead for four hundred years. He has the weapons, the knowledge and the technology to send them straight to Hell.
Caveat Vampiros.
The Little Vampire is an engaging fun-filled romp from start to finish with all the ups and downs of a well-crafted story. That elusive element of the finest family films is here - screen magic. So what if the effects don't always reach the heights of, say, Stuart Little (although the vampire cows, hanging upside down from the beams in their barn are marvellous) they are all there for the purpose of creating a magical fantasy which should appeal to all but sour-faced pedants. Edel effortlessly flows from adventure (think Moonfleet), to suspense (there's even a nice The Shining reference, but don't point it out to the kids) and comedy, even managing time to pull off some jump-out-of-your-seat scares at appropriate moments. If you are concerned that this is a bit too much for younger children (perhaps the U rating is a little lenient) then don't be, the scares are perfectly in tune with the Roald Dahl ethos of 'gross is fun' and the film never manages to be offensive or gratuitous. Indeed, it is with the vampires (and Tony of course) that you side, rather than with the smelly, dirty, cigar-chewing vampire hunter and his aristocratic lackeys. The vampire family are great - half Interview With A Vampire, half Salem's Lot - with a particularly dominating performance from Richard E Grant. They also manage to be quite seductive in a hypnotic, vampire way, helped by some stunning costume design.
With flapping bats, graveyard shenanigans, gothic tombs, some sumptuous Scottish scenery, gadgets galore, ancient rituals, chases, scares and plenty of friendship this manages to be funny, exciting and charming all at the same time. Hopefully with the current popularity for all things vampire (in the wake of Buffy) and the magical child's eye view of the world portrayed in the Harry Potter books, The Little Vampire will be a commercial success as well as ideal for half-term or a dreary Saturday morning.
Highly recommended for the under twelves and over twenties.
Reviewed by Michelle Le Blanc & Colin Odell
Reader comments about The Little Vampire
Rachel (rachelh_2001@hotmail.com) writes:
My brother, sister and I have watched "The Little Vampire" countless times, and have never been bored with it yet! Rollo Weeks made the perfect Rudolph, and Jonathon Lipniki once again did an excellent job. I certainly hope to see them both back again in other movies!! "The Little Vampire" is the perfect movie for family's, and I know that just about everybody that sees it will remember it for years to come!
Jonell Brager (jbrager@attbi.com or mbrager@hotmail.com) writes:
I think that The Little Vampier was a well thoght out mistery movie for kids. It brings to life a whole other way to look at a movie with mosters. Instead of lookig at Vampiers as being bloodthursty monsters try looking them from a diffrent point of view, because instead of being furious they could end up being your friend.
Sarah (Bear3036@aol.com) writes:
I think the little vampire is a heartwarming story that almost makes u wanna cry. The movie was very good. I just bought it and i watch it all the time! This movie is the best. rollo weeks (tony's vampire friend) played a good role as rudolph.
Laura (Greenfroglillie@aol.com) writes:
Rollo Weeks is such a talented actor and he played a great Rudolf in The Little Vampire. I have watched it a million times and loved it every time. I loved the movie when it came out and I still love it now. It's the best movie ever. Jonathon Lipnicki was also great in the movie as Tony Thompson. You guys rock!!!
samantha mills (samanthamills_185@hotmail) writes:
I think its brill and it must have been hard for tony and rudolf but at least they get to play most with each other the funnest bit was when gregery bit the farmer.
p.s. who ever did that film its wonderful film and i nearly cryed .yours sincearly ........... samantha mills
staci (sexylilminxstac@aol.com) writes:
I Loved It from the 1st time i went to see once i saw it i had to go again and again and again to see it at the cinema after 46 times of seeing it at the cinema it went but luckliy i managed to get the massive advertising poster from the board outside thats now on my bedroom wall and all my cinema tickets are with it. Rollo weeks is gorgeous , cute and such a brilliant actor I Love him!!!!
kirsty (tabby_rocks_and_verity_2_go@msn.com) writes:
i loved it from the first day that i saw it when i got it for my birthday. in the film it's got a part for every one the bad guy for the little kids to boo at, the hero, romance u mite say and a really god adventure in this story you never know what is goin 2 happen next. i love the costumes because they are old fashioned yet they have a touch of modern in them all except for Gregory's which is totally modern. so basically i love the whole film and if i find 1 person who hates this film they will wish that they where sorry for even thinkin it. not only do i love the film i love some of the actors as some of them are cuuuuute
Joy (oceanicjoy@hotmail.com) writes:
I catched the movie on disney channel and I ended up buying it. I think Rollo Weeks did an excellent job in this movie, he made his character stand out greatly on set. So did Jonathan L. at such young age.
Long time I hadn't seen a simple well produced movie.
Cassie (LiTtLeVaMpIrElUvEr0908@yahoo.com) writes:
I first saw the movie on Disney Chanel, and loved it ever since! I think Rollo Weeks, Jonathon Lipnicki, and Anna Popplewell did an fabulus job! The movie wouldn't have been as good if they weren't in the movie. It was fun, wonderful, and sad (but not too sad) at the same time. Especially when Rudolph disapeared, and when Anna and Rudolph didn't reconize Tony. The Move is AWSOME!
Add your comments about The Little Vampire [About]
