Queen of the Damned  (2002)

Starring: Aaliyah, Stuart Townsend, et al.
Director: Michael Rymer

Rating: R

Studio: Warner Bros.

Review Posted: 2.26.02

Spoilers: Yes/Minor

Rating: 1.5/4

By Angelo

Based on Anne Rice’s “Vampire Chronicles”, “Queen of the Damned” continues the tale of the vampire Lestat, entailing the expected images of bloodcurdling jugular feasts, homoeroticism and fluffy shirts. However the main problem with the movie is that it assumes that Lestat’s story is inherently fascinating, and the film proves quite the contrary. In what could have been a refreshing update to the languishing genre of vampire films, “Queen of the Damned” almost does nothing right but suck the life out of anybody.

Dwelling in his own doubts and contemplating the loneliness and other implications of being an immortal, Lestat (Stuart Townsend) has been hiding from the world for hundreds of years. However, in a sudden revelation, Lestat decides to come out to the open and be proud of what he is…a vampire. Indeed, it is the twenty-first century, and at a time when society seems to have seen and accepted everything, why hide in the shadows. So what better way to be in the spotlight than to become a rock star. In a cross between Marilyn Manson and Doctor Frank-N-Furter of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”, Lestat transforms himself into a high profile hard rocker.

Lestat’s music is rife with innuendos and tries to send a message to other vampires to join him in coming out. Many of his kind resent him for being so blasé about their covert lifestyles, however his music does awaken a certain one from her sleep, Akasha (Aaliyah), the all-powerful queen of all vampires. Akasha is so overwhelmed by his music that she wants him to be her king and join her quest to take over the world.

First and foremost, the trailers mislead many viewers into believing that Aaliyah is the top billing for “Queen of the Damned”. She maybe the one to play Akasha, but the actual character does not show up until a full hour into the movie. It is not until the final scenes that the Queen has actual royal time devoted to her. This truly will disappoint Aaliyah fans who want to pay their last respects to the young musician.

The rest of “Queen” is focused on none other than Lestat. However, unlike Tom Cruise’s Lestat in “Interview with a Vampire”, the updated undead is reduced to a sad and unsympathetic character that just grumbles with his sob stories. Then there are the other vampire and human characters that do nothing to elevate the film from its grave. I barely cared who was biting whom and for what reason. Also, the film does not effectively capture the severity of the whole situation. Besides the few characters who knew about Akasha and the gravity of the problem, it seemed like no one else knew or cared about it, and that included me.

The only bright spot in this dismal piece of work was Aaliya’s Akasha, the most fascinating character in the movie. She might not be onscreen a lot, but when she does show up and wreak havoc, one can’t help but watch and be mesmerized by her powers. Aaliyah gives an absorbing representation of a ruthless queen. Her talents as an actress are evident in “Queen of the Damned” and it is regrettable that we won’t get to see more of her.

Nevertheless, even the queen cannot save this drivel. “Queen of the Damned” is indeed damned from the very start. I just pray that they hammer the last nail into this coffin.

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