A somewhat different vampire movie

Rating: 6/10 (27 November 2014)

And actually a funny one. I have not seen "Vampires Suck", but judging from the reviews it must have been pretty underwhelming. This one certainly is not. It was written and directed by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi. Both play main characters as well. Clement scored 7 Emmy nominations for "Flight of the Conchords", while Waititi is an Academy Award nominee from the short film categories. So, even if I was not familiar with either (maybe just me as the theater was packed), both of them have already a respectable body of work and are probably sort of famous in their home New Zealand. This is also where the movie takes place by the way.
While I liked Petyr and his traditional Nosferatu looks, my favorite character here is Vladislav (played by Clement, who looks a bit like Rory Cochrane from "CSI: Miami"), but actually everybody had their moments. The first half of the movie ( i.e. the introduction to the world of the 4 vampires) is the highlight. Afterward, it goes slightly south, but still remains good for the most part. One funny part was when they were talking about the sofa and blood on it when they say it is red anyway. Well, it has become red by now. The talking about housekeeping was nice too. Or the guy who is immediately liked by the vampires and werewolves as well, even serves as a bridge between them later on, almost like a male Bella Swan. Or when one werewolf is trolled by a vampire and runs for the ball the vampire throws. There's a lot to laugh in here. You can enjoy this movie too if you liked Twilight, just like I did. It's packed with many interesting vampire references that go way beyond the garlic, sunlight and blood-thirsting. For example did you know vampires have to be asked inside before they can enter a stranger's house? The dramatic parts did not really entertain me that much, such as when they were chasing their newest victim. Actually everything about him, I found fairly forgettable. The girl who wanted to be turned into a vampire was okay (another Twilight reference) and the only scene I really did not like was when they showed the old man who pretty much wasted his life being a servant and never got turned by his masters. It was a bit sad and I could have done without it.
The final party scene was solid, but being considered the film's big highlight near the end, I was slightly disappointed. I wish the whole film could have been as funny and entertaining as the first 30 minutes. Nonetheless, this film is a refreshing take on the vampire genre and I recommend giving it a chance. Finally, if this got you interested into watching a more serious quality vampire movie, let me recommend you the Swedish "Låt den rätte komma in" from 2008.