by Cookie N Screen
Mockumentaries are one of the weirdest genre of movie. After all, you have to hit the right tone in order for it to sell properly. All the while, you have to make it look like an authentic documentary and spoof those elements accurately. So it is a tentative process that only few have mastered including the phenomenal This is Spinal Tap and the British wedding romp Confetti. Yet levitating up to the legendary ranks, so legendary that I can just see the Quote Alongs in the future with people dressed up as the characters, is What We Do In The Shadows. Ok, so, I may be saying that because I immediately went and brought myself a cravat after my first of many screenings. But What We Do In The Shadows has already created a cult of fans who haven’t stopped saying the lines since its release.
Mockumentaries are one of the weirdest genre of movie. After all, you have to hit the right tone in order for it to sell properly. All the while, you have to make it look like an authentic documentary and spoof those elements accurately. So it is a tentative process that only few have mastered including the phenomenal This is Spinal Tap and the British wedding romp Confetti. Yet levitating up to the legendary ranks, so legendary that I can just see the Quote Alongs in the future with people dressed up as the characters, is What We Do In The Shadows. Ok, so, I may be saying that because I immediately went and brought myself a cravat after my first of many screenings. But What We Do In The Shadows has already created a cult of fans who haven’t stopped saying the lines since its release.
What We Do In The Shadows comes from the creators of the ingenious film Eagle vs Shark (and if you haven’t seen that, I suggest you go find it and shower it with some appreciation.) A film crew is lead through a house-share of rambunctious and different flatmates who all happen to be vampires too. There’s Viago, a dandy and flared vampire; Vlad, a seductive torturer; Peter, the 8000 year old Nosferatu and Deacon, the youngest and most boisterous. They live harmoniously together until one of their escapades leads to Neil becoming a victim and his transformation starts ruffling a few feathers in the roost? Can the vampires find peace in the change of dynamics?
The biggest thing you need to know is that the comedy is so on point that even the thought of the film will have your ribs chuckling along together. From the beginning, the hilarity is riotous and hysterical. The team of Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement find the right balance between writing an intelligent parody whilst still keeping the silliness that flows throughout. The jokes are thick and plentiful. From a vampire's idea of why they prefer virgins to an actual bat fight - there is not a beat that sounds out wrongy in this side splitting, supernatural romp that leaves no victim unappeased when they leave bleary-eyed with glee.
The biggest thing you need to know is that the comedy is so on point that even the thought of the film will have your ribs chuckling along together. From the beginning, the hilarity is riotous and hysterical. The team of Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement find the right balance between writing an intelligent parody whilst still keeping the silliness that flows throughout. The jokes are thick and plentiful. From a vampire's idea of why they prefer virgins to an actual bat fight - there is not a beat that sounds out wrongy in this side splitting, supernatural romp that leaves no victim unappeased when they leave bleary-eyed with glee.
On top of this, you have an entire bunch of characters that you are immediately invested in. Waititi plays Viago and his light-hearted innocence with the dark murderous element creates a cute lead character with hilarious naivity. Clement is Vlad who struggles with his seductive identity after being dumped by the allusive beast who has more passionate things to say about being a vampire. Jonathon Brugh (Bruh) is excellent as Duncan who is a little bit more headstrong in his viewpoints and comes into clash with Cori Gonzalez-Macuer’s Neil who brings a modernised vamp with petulance to the team. Plus some spot on performances by Rhys Darby, Stuart Rutherford and more create a cast and crew so believeable in their characters that it enhances the mirthfulness.
What We Do In The Shadows is a purchase today that will transform your DVD collection into something truly magnificent. It is one of the best comedies of recent years that works on different levels of comedy. There are enough nods to mythological AND pop culture that it appeases historical and cinematic fans as they lavish the spoof laden film. Not to mention it really brings vampirism into the modern era as each decade clashes with ideals upon a backdrop of Wellington. Simply put, it is one of the most ferociously funny films to come out of New Zealand that solidifies Waititi and Clement as comedic masters of cinema.
Go watch a film with an entertaining bite!
What We Do In The Shadows is a purchase today that will transform your DVD collection into something truly magnificent. It is one of the best comedies of recent years that works on different levels of comedy. There are enough nods to mythological AND pop culture that it appeases historical and cinematic fans as they lavish the spoof laden film. Not to mention it really brings vampirism into the modern era as each decade clashes with ideals upon a backdrop of Wellington. Simply put, it is one of the most ferociously funny films to come out of New Zealand that solidifies Waititi and Clement as comedic masters of cinema.
Go watch a film with an entertaining bite!
What Do You Think?
Is the film more Twilight than alright?
Or does it have a definite bite to it?
Let us know in the comments!
What We Do In The Shadows is out on DVD & Blu-ray now!
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