I almost passed this sly gem by since vampires haven't been interesting since "Twilight" ruined the genre for adults and drained the life out of the genre. Still, having read good things about WWDITS, I gave it a chance and discovered a terrific mockumentary of the travails of being undead in this day and age. This is the worthy successor to Roman Polanski's "Fearless Vampire Killers" (1967), the only vampire spoof that ever really worked...until now.
Certainly the mockumentary is by now a cliché of its own, with "Spinal Tap" still winner and champion. WWDITS doesn't claim to challenge that epic, instead, it takes a charming and old-fashioned approach to simply having a "protected" film crew (they all wear crucifixes) follow the daily/nightly routine of four undead and watch them interact, as well as give solo interviews. Viago, Deacon, Vladislav, and Peytr have lived (sort of) through the ages, yet can't quite get the ability to function in a world that has passed them by. Each is trapped in the era in which they died and were transformed. Watching them forced to take on a fifth member of the clan, who started as dinner, is where the real fun starts. Nick, the new guy, is annoying and not dealing well with his transition. His comeuppance is that his human friend, Stu, becomes beloved of the other vampires. They like him better than Nick, which brings its own tension to the table. Jokes are thrown at the viewer fast and furious. Not all of them work, but most do. Very well done sets, costumes, and well placed special effects do wonderful work supporting some stellar performances here. Of note is Taika Waititi as Viago, looking like the picture of Hammer vampire elegance. Also, Jemaine Clement as Vladislav, who brings Dracula realness to the party. These two actors, known best for "Flight of the Conchords" wrote and directed this fast-moving slapstick look at the ultimate misfits.
Not only are all the well known tropes about vampires trotted out and skewered, but affectionate nods to other cinematic bloodsuckers are generously provided. Most notable is the ball/party sequence near the end, which is a real tribute to Polanski, even though they don't have the gorgeous late Sharon Tate to work with. Bloody, funny, silly (the Procession of Shame gets the prize here), and worth a look if you think the Undead don't have problems. It's your turn to do the dishes.
Certainly the mockumentary is by now a cliché of its own, with "Spinal Tap" still winner and champion. WWDITS doesn't claim to challenge that epic, instead, it takes a charming and old-fashioned approach to simply having a "protected" film crew (they all wear crucifixes) follow the daily/nightly routine of four undead and watch them interact, as well as give solo interviews. Viago, Deacon, Vladislav, and Peytr have lived (sort of) through the ages, yet can't quite get the ability to function in a world that has passed them by. Each is trapped in the era in which they died and were transformed. Watching them forced to take on a fifth member of the clan, who started as dinner, is where the real fun starts. Nick, the new guy, is annoying and not dealing well with his transition. His comeuppance is that his human friend, Stu, becomes beloved of the other vampires. They like him better than Nick, which brings its own tension to the table. Jokes are thrown at the viewer fast and furious. Not all of them work, but most do. Very well done sets, costumes, and well placed special effects do wonderful work supporting some stellar performances here. Of note is Taika Waititi as Viago, looking like the picture of Hammer vampire elegance. Also, Jemaine Clement as Vladislav, who brings Dracula realness to the party. These two actors, known best for "Flight of the Conchords" wrote and directed this fast-moving slapstick look at the ultimate misfits.
Not only are all the well known tropes about vampires trotted out and skewered, but affectionate nods to other cinematic bloodsuckers are generously provided. Most notable is the ball/party sequence near the end, which is a real tribute to Polanski, even though they don't have the gorgeous late Sharon Tate to work with. Bloody, funny, silly (the Procession of Shame gets the prize here), and worth a look if you think the Undead don't have problems. It's your turn to do the dishes.