When a movie doesn't have any of the original cast members return for its sequel-- and that includes its star-- one has to wonder how horrible the sequel is. However, this isn't completely the case for Anne Rice's "Queen of the Damned," the long-awaited sequel to 1994's "Interview with a Vampire." In fact, if Tom Cruise did reprise his role as the vampire Lestat, "Queen"'s edge would have easily been lost.
"Queen of the Damned" is the continuing story of Lestat (now played by Stuart Townsend), this time taking place during the 21st century. Intrigued by our culture's tendency to turn rock stars into Gods and heroes, Lestat decides that the greatest power he could have as a vampire over mankind would be to become MTV's most played artist. Transforming himself and a local band into the rock group The Vampire Lestat, Lestat quickly becomes an overnight sensation. As his music (which is filled with subliminal vampire messages) develops a following, he discovers that it also holds the power to awaken the queen of all vampires, Akasha (Aaliyah). Literally unleashing Hell on Earth, Lestat is hunted down not only by Akasha, but by vampires everywhere who fear her return.
While "Queen of the Damned" starts off a bit slow, a killer soundtrack (no pun intended) and amazing cinematography will keep audiences in their seats until the story picks up its pace. However, while clichéd dialogue like "Come out, come out, where ever you are" is replaced by more intelligent conversation 20 minutes into the film, the overacting never goes away.
Similar to Townsend's recent performance in "About Adam," Townsend is both perfect and awful as Lestat. For every moment where he manages to fit the image that Rice's fans have created in their minds of their favorite vampire there is a moment where audiences will wish Tom Cruise signed on for the sequel. Part of the reason audiences will find Townsend's performance so questionable is because he overemphasizes every line of dialogue. While the overemphasis works in some scenes, the fact he delivers his lines almost emotionless will cause viewers laugh when they aren't supposed to. Although one could argue that's how vampires talk, the fact that there are vampires in the film that manage to talk and act like normal people quickly discredits that argument. The one thing Townsend does have going for him throughout the film though is his look and age. While Cruise would seem horribly out of place as a Marilyn Manson-type rock star, Townsend helps make the story a bit more believable since he fits both the look and the leather pants.
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