Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

Review

101min

Genre:     Adventure, Comedy, Drama

Director:  Taika Waititi

Cast:       Julian Dennison, Sam Neill, Rima Te Wiata…and more

Writers:   Taika Waititi and Barry Crump

-Synopsis-

A troubled young orphan funds stability with a rural couple, only to be threatened with a return to foster care when tragedy strikes; but this rebellious young “gangsta” has his own ideas as he disappears into the New Zealand woods, accompanied by his cranky uncle and pursued by the authorities in this quirky comedy from the director of ‘What We Do in the Shadows’.

In a short but distinctive career which rivals Jared Hess’ for painting unique characters in quirky comedies with wonderfully unexpected soundtracks; actor/writer/director Taika Waititi has shown his talent for creating offbeat and uplifting comedies tinged with drama and distinct Kiwi flair, and with ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ he underscores this ability with a charming oddball “buddy movie” featuring a touching message.

Young  Julian Dennison stars as “Ricky Baker”, an overweight young urban troublemaker who goes on the run in the wilds of New Zealand with his new foster “uncle” (Sam Neill), a stoic and ornery old bushman, to escape the clutches of a cold-hearted determined social worker and a system which just doesn’t care. But their adventure soon turns into a national manhunt, and them into infamous outlaws along the lines of a Kiwi bush ‘Thelma & Louise’, as they encounter a host of oddball characters on a hilarious and touching journey of self-discovery.

Waititi makes good use of his talent for bringing out the humour in the quaint and provincial nature of New Zealand folk in unusual situations, previously seen in the wonderfully silly ‘What We Do in the Shadows’, and combines it with unlikely “gansta” rap references and a joyously eclectic toe tappin’ soundtrack to hilarious and bizarrely heart-warming effect. All under the basic structure of writer and outdoorsman Barry Crump‘s 1986 semi-autobiographical novel ‘Wild Pork and Watercress’, on which this film is based.

But the film is also surprisingly touching and uplifting, particularly through its central theme about the value of the overlooked and unwanted in society, and the way we treat them.  And it’s solidified by the central relationship between the boy and his “uncle” which feels like an unconventional “buddy cop” dynamic, teaching them and the audience a little something about family.

The entire cast of misfits makes their mark with the two leads putting forward a ridiculous but convincing relationship and wonderfully comical display of unconventional male bonding; legend of Kiwi cinema and Hollywood stalwart Sam Neill is typically outstanding but 13-year-old Dennison steals the show with a personality as big as his adorably rotund frame, and true star potential.

The film does have some issues, like a tone which is slightly erratic and a momentum that  often proves stop-start, not to mention a story which starts to feel like a directionless journey, intentionally, but which makes the film seem like that in the 3rd act. But Waititi closes it out well and as a whole still manages to produce another wonderfully wacky Kiwi indie, which makes us curious to see if any of that translates into his unlikely next film, 2017’s Marvel sequel ‘Thor: Ragnarok’.

The Bottom Line…

A hilarious and gloriously quirky New Zealand adventure with pathos and a poignant message; Taika Waititi continues to show a real flair for the unconventional indie comedy with an uplifting and thoroughly entertaining “buddy” film, brought to life by an established dependable Kiwi  actor and a young promising one, ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ is as enjoyable a comedy as we’ve seen this year.

Similar films you may like (Home Video)

What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

A small group of ancient European Vampire housemates invite a camera crew into their lives to get a glimpse of how they cope with the complexities of living in modern day New Zealand, ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ is a “Mockumentary” style quirky comedy made by part of the team that brought us hit TV comedy ‘Flight of the Conchords’.

Directed by Jemaine Clement & Taika Waititi and starring Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi and Jonny Brugh among others.

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