Vampires Suck

Vampires Suck is an American horror comedy film from the year 2010, directed by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, and featuring a vibrant cast that includes notable performances from Jenn Proske, Matt Lanter, and Diedrich Bader.

Centered around the character of Becca Crane, expertly portrayed by Jenn Proske, Vampires Suck draws its inspiration from the popular teenage vampire romance narratives that have so enraptured audiences over the years. Becca finds herself caught in a love triangle with two unlikely suitors, generating an exciting storyline interspersed with comedic notes throughout.

The setup mirrors a small, seemingly mundane town, Sporks, uplifting the comedy with an element of parody. The extraordinary events that ensue amidst this otherwise normal backdrop serve to highlight and exaggerate the already comedic situations. With its teenage characters and the challenges they navigate, the plot explores themes of young love, the trials of adolescence, and the allure of the forbidden.

On the one side of Becca's love triangle, we have Edwards Sullen, played by the versatile Matt Lanter. Edward, an alluring vampire, epitomizes the enigmatic allure often associated with such creatures in popular narratives. His character is carefully crafted around his peculiar needs, with sustainment via drawing power from the sun as opposed to human blood, making him a non-traditional vampire. This aspect adds a unique twist to the character, further enhancing Edward's appeal and sparking intrigue.

The other character vying for Becca's affections is Jacob White, modeled to be a laughably offbeat werewolf character. Played by Chris Riggi, Jacob showcases quite the physical transformation throughout the film, much to the delight of viewers.

Rounding out the cast is Diedrich Bader, effortlessly adding an extra layer of humor with his role as Frank Crane, Becca's recently divorced, overbearing, and protection-obsessed father. Proving to be an effective comic relief character amidst the love triangle tensions, Frank injects his own eccentric persona into the plot.

As we traverse through the movie, the narrative unfurls Becca's attempts at coping with her feelings for the two men, lighting up the screen with a host of hilarious situations, and cleverly constructed misunderstandings. The directors have dug into the depths of the vampire-wolf-human romance genre, infusing it with a fresh, comedic perspective that is both clever and unique.

The uniqueness of Vampires Suck lies not only in its characterization but also in its ability to so inject humor into the very typical Twilight-esque narratives. The film deploys parody effectively, focusing on certain elements synonymous with the genre, using the actual premises, plot points, and character traits as the matter of comedy. Extracting humor from seemingly serious elements found within the popular mythology, Vampires Suck significantly contributes to the parody genre with its smart visual gags and witty dialogue.

Vampires Suck subtly critiques the noir-ish romance between a young teenager and a centenarian vampire, exposing potential absurdities that might go overlooked in the serious context of the genre. This mocking of the genre's tropes works brilliantly in the context of the film, creating humor in both the overtly comedic segments and the more understated parts.

The visual aesthetics of the film don't lag behind either. The cinematography and the direction work in harmony to bring the somewhat twisted world of Vampires Suck to life. The dark, serene stretches of Sporks, enveloped in an aura of mystery and undertones of comedy, add to the overall charm of this film.

Furthermore, the movie’s soundtrack complements the sprightly rhythm of the storyline, contributing greatly to the overall tone. The engaging score punctuates the humor perfectly, taking center stage in comedic moments, then subtly fading back during the quieter, more contemplative scenes.

Vampires Suck, despite its satirical edge, never fails to remind the audience of the genre's core charm. Paying token respects to the staples of the vampire genre- the enigma, the romance, the adrenaline rush- it manages to skillfully upend these tropes while still upholding the allure of the vampire mythology.

All in all, the film offers an amusing, biting take on a genre that conveys the quintessence of intrigue and mystique. Vampires Suck is a delightful detour from the mainstream norms, a rib-tickling film that truly lives up to its name.