Director: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi
Writer: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi (Screenplay)
Starring: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Jonny Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, Stu Rutherford, Ben Fransham, Jackie van Beek
Plot: Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav are vampires who are finding that modern life has them struggling with the mundane – like paying rent, keeping up with the chore wheel, trying to get into nightclubs, and overcoming flatmate conflicts.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Fun and Original Mockumentary
Story: What We Do in the Shadows starts as we learn that a documentary film crew get to meet a group of vampires Vladislav (Clement), Viago (Waititi), Deacon (Brugh) and Petyr (Fransham) who all live in a flat in New Zealand. We see how they go about their lives and collect their victims.
We move forward two months and meet the latest victim Nick (Gonzalez-Macuer) who has just been turned into a vampire and learning to fit in with the rest of the vampires as he transition from human to vampire lifestyle.
What We Do in the Shadows gives us the mockumentary treatment to the vampire genre. The style works because the vampire genre had really gone stale with recent commercial films literally sucking the life out of them. We get an excuse to chat to the camera which could have ruined the idea and having the added underworld of the creatures of the night. Everything in this film works for what the film achieving which can be enjoyed if it is watch by the audience of mockumentary style of film.
Actor Review
Jemaine Clement: Vladislav is the charismatic vampire, he is used to his ways believing his charm can get his victims. He likes to joke with his victims and instantly dislikes the new vampire Nick. Jemaine is good in this role creating a really funny character.
Taika Waititi: Viago is the leader of the household, he controls the everyday household routines. He introduces us to the rest of the household and explains all of the rules they have lived by. Taika works in this role getting to have the extra eccentricity need in the role.
Jonny Brugh: Deacon is the flaky one of the three, he has a good back story about how he became a vampire. He is a hot head and enjoys conflict as well as promising a human slave a chance to become a vampire. Jonny is good but I do think we could have had more from his character.
Cori Gonzalez-Macuer: Nick is the newly made vampire who doesn’t understand the rules, he puts the safety of the rest of the vampires at risk. Nick is a great addition to the rest because he makes the old school vampires learn about the new world they are living in. Cori is good in this role as the new vampire.
Support Cast: What We Do in the Shadows has a funny supporting that adds to the laughs.
Director Review: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi – The pair give us a very funny mockumentary.
Comedy: What We Do in the Shadows has laughs from start to finish.
Fantasy: What We Do in the Shadows brings us into the world filled with the creature of the night.
Horror: What We Do in the Shadows doesn’t give us enough horror for my liking.
Settings: What We Do in the Shadows uses the New Zealand setting for the character which all comes off nicely.
Special Effects: What We Do in the Shadows uses the effects well to create the moments in the film.
Suggestion: What We Do in the Shadows is one for the comedy fans to watch. (Comedy Fans Watch)
Best Part: Mockumentary style.
Worst Part: The style might not be for everyone.
Funniest Scene: Werewolf scenes.
Kill Of The Film: Viago’s first kill.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: We could have on.
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 26 Minutes
Overall: An enjoyable mockumentary filled with laughs.
Rating
