Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 28, 1995 TAG: 9510310013
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Not so evident is the off-beat innovation that director Wes Craven brings to his better work - ``Nightmare on Elm St.,'' ``People Under the Stairs,'' ``Shocker.''
As the title suggests, the story by Eddie Murphy, Vernon Lynch Jr. and Charles Murphy bears a strong resemblance to ``An American Werewolf in London.'' The humor is virtually identical, and so is the serious/spoofy approach to horror.
It begins with the arrival of Maximillian (Murphy) in Brooklyn harbor. He's from the Carribean, via the Bermuda Triangle, and he's looking for the only other surviving member of his race, policewoman Rita Veder (Angela Bassett). First, though, he has to enlist the assistance of a ``ghoul,'' Julius (scene-stealing Kadeem Hardison), who gives new meaning to the old druggie phrase ``eat the roach.''
The rest of the comedy comes from Murphy's impersonations of a crooked preacher and an Italian gangster, and John Witherspoon's bawdy routines.
Craven keeps the pace moving right along and he gives the production an appropriately rough, gritty look. Though neither of the stars are challenged by the cartoonish script, they handle it with proper professionalism.
``Vampire in Brooklyn'' never rises above its roots in the genre. Still, for a Halloween comedy, fans could do worse.
Vampire in Brooklyn
** 1/2
A Paramount release playing at the Salem Valley 8 and Valley View Mall 6. 100 min. Rated R for violence, bloody effects, language, sexual situations.
by CNB