Aaliyah and Stuart Townsend in Queen of the Damned

In rock-star Lestat, Akasha sees a new king to walk God-like beside her as they bleed the mortal world dry of human blood. And, in return, Queen Akasha's high-octane vital juices allow Lestat to grow so powerful he can walk in daylight and vanquish all other vampires. But what seems like the most devilish team since Mick Jagger met Keith Richards quickly shatters when Lestat realizes that Akasha has no appreciation for the fragile beauty of mortal life and that she would prefer to rule over a kingdom of corpses. Is it too late to stop the Queen's boundless bloodlust or will her prophetic dream of hell on earth finally come to pass? Don't ask me, you fool! Get thee to a multiplex and see with thy own bloodshot eyes!

Somewhat deceptive in its title, Queen of the Damned is largely Lestat's legend, told in present day with flashbacks of his being "made" by Marius (Vincent Perez), an ancient vampire and close decedent of the Queen herself. Lestat longs for a comely companion with whom to stalk the endless night. But, alas, he cannot bring himself to turn any female he truly desires into a dashing, but diabolical monster such as himself. One prospective lady of the eternal evening is Jesse (Marguerite Moreau), the "clever librarian" who seeks out Lestat to become as he. And she all but throws her conservative, but creamy cleavage onto his fine, hollow-pointed dental work. But despite his worldwide success as a rock star, it's lonely at the top of the food chain for Lestat until the rumblings of his band's wall of Marshall amps awaken Queen Akasha and all heck at last breaks loose.

Though Aaliyah's screen time is minimal, she makes the most of every blood-dripping moment as she embodies Queen Akasha with both sinister and smoldering sexuality. While the rest of Queen of the Damned's cast members hit their marks and deliver their lines with polish and panache, so strong and focused is her performance that she can even get away with the faux Egyptian accent she developed for the part. Imagine an Eartha Kitt's Catwoman and you've got it "purr-fectly." As such, it's truly a pity that Aaliyah's promise and presence will not be seen again. So, although it's not for the squeamish or those who consider Anne Rice's "Vampire Chronicles" to be sacred text, Queen of the Damned is good gory fun and an eerie reminder of how short a time even the brightest star has to shine.