Synopsis

Viago, Deacon, Vladislav and Petyr are an endearingly un-hip quartet of vampires trying to get along in contemporary New Zealand. This mockumentary follows them as they avoid sunlight, vampire hunters and werewolves while trying to get someone to invite them into night clubs. If you like the dry humor of “Flight of the Conchords”, you’ll love this movie!

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What We Do In The Shadows - Blu-ray Movie Review

Specifications
Paramount
2015, Color, Rated R, 1 Hr 25 mins
DTS-MA 5.1, 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio
Starring: Jermaine Clements, Taika Waititi, Jonny Brugh & Ben Fransham
Directed by J. Clements & T. Waititi

Rating

Entertainment:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:

Violence: Yes
Sex: No
Language: Yes

Commentary

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If you enjoy “Flight of the Conchords” on HBO or films like ‘Best in Show”, you will love this movie. If you enjoy the vampire genre, you too will be entertained. The whole film is a smart send up that follows a pretty un-hip quartet of vampires rooming together in modern New Zealand. It’s more about comical dialog as opposed to slap stick-humor…but they are not above slap-stick humor. Vampires are not the only creatures roaming the streets in Wellington these days. For good measure, they attend an annual ball that has werewolves, zombies and ghouls attending. These guys have to learn to be more “modern”. Being undead for hundreds of years means having to learning to use the internet and dressing fashionably. Getting into a night club is tough, too. Remember, a vampire has to be invited in or they cannot enter. The actors have great fun with their roles and the humor is often subtle…like an askance look at the camera or a muttered phrase that leaves you going, “Say what?” The whole film works because it is set up as a mockumentary. If they tried to play this as a straight comedy, I don’t think it would have succeeded. Their more intimate interactions are all caught on film and their banter is hilarious, like when one says, “Let me continue to do my dark bidding on the internet”, as he is on E-bay. Or Vlad telling us the story of his youth when he was known as “Vlad the poker” (as opposed to the impaler). In any case, this is a movie that is so much fun you will want to see it several times and share the experience with your friends. I laughed out loud and you will too. Highly recommended!

What We Do In The Shadows - Blu-ray Movie Review

Technical

Overall the picture quality is very good, though some of the night scenes are murky and grainy. This could be a stylistic choice as the video is supposed to be done as a documentary and the video is on-the-fly. When color is used (blood red, for instance), it is vibrant and solid. Sound was clear, but it never veered too far from the screen. It is a “talky documentary” after all. Your sub will slumber like the dead.

What We Do In The Shadows - Blu-ray Movie Review

Extras

These don’t suck: Commentaries, Behind the Shadows, deleted scenes (25 min. worth), video extras, promo video and a poster gallery.

What We Do In The Shadows - Blu-ray Movie Review