What We Do in the Shadows (Blu-ray) (2014)

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General		Extras
Category	Comedy / Horror	Theatrical Trailer
Rating
Year Of Production	2014
Running Time	85:23
RSDL / Flipper	No/No	Cast & Crew
Start Up	?
Region Coding	4	Directed By	Jemaine Clement Taika Waititi
Studio Distributor	Madman Entertainment	Starring	Jemaine Clement Taika Waititi Jonathan Brugh Ben Fransham Rhys Darby
Case	Standard Blu-ray
RPI	$29.95	Music	None Given

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English DTS HD Master Audio 5.1
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.85:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	1080p
Original Aspect Ratio	1.85:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	English (Burned In)	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

     With the success of shows like True Blood and movie series like Twilight, vampire themed shows and movies have been coming thick and fast, however this little New Zealand film is a real standout in the vampire genre, mostly because it is completely hilarious. There are six credited quotes on the front cover, all of which say "Hilarious" and all of which are completely correct. This film, What We Do in the Shadows is a mockumentary co-written and co-directed by Jermaine Clement (of Flight of the Conchords) and Taika Waititi, both of who also star in the film. The premise is that four Vampires of varying ages live in a share house in Wellington, New Zealand and are being filmed for a documentary about the upcoming vampire celebration, The Unholy Masquerade. The film follows their lives as they have squabbles over household duties, try to get invited into nightclubs, have trouble with their love lives, have run-ins with the local werewolf pack and more.

     The first character we meet is Viago (Taika Waititi) who was a dandy in the 1700s before being made into vampire. He is 379 years old and a fussy, pedantic, clean freak who just wants the house kept nicely and blood cleaned up quickly. The next one is Vladislav (Jermaine Clement) an 862 year old vampire who is a bit of a pervert. Then there is Deacon (Jonathan Brugh), the youngest of the crowd who is an ex-Nazi and at 183 a bit of tearaway rebel. The last of the group, Petyr (Ben Fransham), is 8000 years old, lives in the basement in a stone coffin and doesn't show much interest in doing housework like Viago wants. The local werewolf leader is Anton (Rhys Darby) who is trying to get his pack to be more civilised, getting them to repeat the mantra 'We're werewolves not swearwolves'.

     It is hard to tell you much of what goes on without spoiling some of the great jokes and hilarious sequences. This is obviously a low budget film with minimal special effects and shot digitally. It really doesn't matter because it is so funny. All of the lead actors are very funny in their roles and Rhys Darby is a delight as always. You need to watch right to the end as there are more scenes after the credits.

     This is the standard Blu-ray edition, however there is also a Fang-bloody-tastic collector's edition which includes lots of extras available.

     If you like vampire themed shows and movies or mockumentaries like Best in Show you have to see this marvellous film! Highly Recommended.

Video

     This transfer does a good job with a source which is restricted by its low budget and digital shooting. It is a mockumentary so you don't expect beautiful camera angles or sweeping vistas. Having said that it is 1080p and in the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and looks good for what it is. There is some graininess here and there but generally nothing to complain about.

     There are subtitles burned in for some occasional German dialogue, however no subtitle streams.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

     The audio on this Blu-ray is technically DTS HD-MA 5.1, however as you would expect for the style of film doesn't set your home theatre on fire. The dialogue is the main aural element and it is generally clear and easy to hear, only restricted by occasional mumbling and bad accents. There is some good separation across the front sound stage however little goes on in the rears except some atmosphere and mild effects. The music is generally incidental except for the theme. Does well with what it has.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Menu

    The menu included music and scenes from the film.

Theatrical Trailer (2:22) 

    This Blu-ray does not seem to be available in other regions yet.

    The video quality is very good considering the source.

    The audio quality is very good considering the style of film.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall