Queen of the Damned MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 Content: -3

Based on the third installment of Anne Rices series of novels The Vampire Chronicles, QUEEN OF THE DAMNED revolves around the awakening of the legendary vampire Lestat (Stuart Townsend), who has been asleep for over 100 years. From his tomb in New Orleans, he hears a sampling of rock music, and decides to reemerge, to take the worldwide attention and glory he desires. By becoming a rock star, Lestat thinks he can give the world a new god, since these entertainers often receive near-worship from their legions of fans. However, after successfully storming onto the rock scene, Lestats music awakens one of the most ancient vampires of all, the powerful Akasha (Aaliyah in her last film role), mother of all vampires. Akasha feels a kindred spirit in Lestats music and attitude, so she chooses him to rule the world by her side. She dreams of taking over the world, bringing vampires out of the shadows to take their rightful place as kings and queens over all. But vampires also fear their discovery by mortals will lead to being hunted to extinction. Will Lestat go along with the queen, allowing Akasha to wreak havoc on earth, or will a crisis of conscience cause him to stop her? QUEEN OF THE DAMNED offers little to the genre, other than some improved special effects, but also works from a weak screenplay in dealing with both the inner and outer conflicts of the characters. While the appeal of seeing the late Aaliyahs last film might draw in some, dont expect the QUEEN to stay too long in the spotlight.

Vampire movies often display lots of religious imagery and allusions, like candles, crucifixes and holy water. This one is no exception. As an immortal undead, Lestat thinks of himself as a god. He uses his rock star image and vampire powers not so much to control his followers, but to be loved and worshipped by them. The films R-rating is well earned for graphic depictions of various forms of vampire violence. Many of the scenes involve vampires feeding/biting others. While the initial incidents are not gruesomely bloody, the vampires mouths are usually shown covered with their victims blood. Some of the bloody bite wounds are shown as well, but the most graphic scene involves Akasha ripping the heart out of another vampire and taking a bite out of it. Two f-words occur in a song sung by Lestat, but excessive, graphic violence dethrones the QUEEN OF THE DAMNED.

Preview Reviewer: John Adair
Distributor: Warner Bros., 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522