Queen of the Damned - R\nStarring: Stuart Townsend, Aaliyah\nDirected by: Michael Rymer\nShowing: Showplace West 12\nueen of the Damned" definitely feels like a direct-to-video release. A "sequel" to "Interview with the Vampire," the film stars Stuart Townsend as the vampire Lestat and the late R&B superstar Aaliyah as the title character. Before you ask, no, there is absolutely no continuity between "Interview" and "Queen." In fact, you'll enjoy the flick a lot more if you forget that it has anything to do with "Interview."\nThe story is a little weird, but I'll do my best to summarize. Lestat, who's been taking a nap in a crypt for the last century or so, is awakened by… Industrial Rock music. Taken by this brave new sound, Lestat quickly joins an up-and-coming Industrial group, names it after himself and takes the world by storm.\nNot content with earning fame and fortune, Lestat also makes his vampiric nature public, violating vampire etiquette and angering the entire vampire community worldwide. Not surprisingly, the vampires decide that killing Lestat would be a good idea, and they plan to descend upon him during his premiere concert in Death Valley, Calif.\nMeanwhile, a young woman named Jessie, played by Marguerite Moreau, is observing Lestat from afar. A member of a secret sect of paranormal watchers (this smacks of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") Jessie was raised by vampires and longs to become one of them. Needless to say, an obsession with Lestat ensues.\nEssentially, "Queen of the Damned" feels like an overly long "Buffy" episode, minus any humor or chills. For a movie about vampires, this flick was depressingly devoid of anything remotely frightening. In fact, the film made vampirism out to look like a great alternative lifestyle, as if killing innocents and being a soulless minion of the undead is a party 24/7. If you're looking for vampiric angst, just catch an episode of "Angel." They do it better, and with far more character development. As for Aaliyah, she did a decent job, though the role didn't offer her an opportunity to really stretch herself as an actress. \n"Queen of the Damned" is a passable flick, but if you're a fan of vampires, I strongly suggest you wait for "Blade 2" -- it's likely to offer superior action, better chills and far cooler special effects.\n
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