Taika Waititi has developed a reputation as one of the funniest filmmakers in Hollywood, but his best movie isn’t his most popular. Waititi started his career in New Zealand before leaving his home country to work in America, where he quickly made a name for himself with movies likeThor: RagnarokandJojo Rabbit.
Aside from directing, Waititi has continued acting and writing, either in his own movies or other projects likeFree Guyand Pixar’sLightyear.His distinct comedic voice always makes his movies stand out, and this was also the case beforeThor: Ragnarokelevated him to a new level of fame.
Hunt For The Wilderpeople Is Taika Waititi’s Best Movie
The Offbeat Adventure Comedy Deserves More Love
The 2016 hitHunt for the Wilderpeopleis still arguablyTaika Waititi’s best movie, since it mixes his signature humor with plenty of heart.Jurassic Parkstar Sam Neill plays a reluctant foster father who is saddled with a troublemaking child, played by Julian Dennison in a superb breakout performance.
As the unlikely duo lead a nationwide manhunt through the gorgeous New Zealand wilderness, their rough exteriors begin to soften and they form a unique bond. This is where Waititi’s writing truly shines, because his comedy is used to develop the relationship between the characters, while still being frequently hilarious.
Hunt for the Wilderpeopleis a charming adventure that marches to the beat of its own drum. Thanks to two great performances and an intelligent script, it strikes the perfect balance between comedy and drama. The characters are fully fleshed-out and believable beyond the shallow stereotypes they attempt to project as a means of self-preservation.
Hunt for the Wilderpeoplebroke box office records in New Zealand, but it remains a hidden gem. This is a shame, because it’s every bit as creative and heartwarming as Waititi’s more popular comedies. Fans ofOur Flag Means Death, What We Do in the Shadowsor theThormovies won’t be disappointed byHunt for the Wilderpeople.
Taika’s Best Filmmaking Traits Are All Over Hunt For The Wilderpeople
Hunt For The Wilderpeople Shows The Best Of Waititi As A Writer, Director And Actor
Hunt for the Wilderpeopleis the quintessential Waititi film in some ways.It showcases his inimitable brand of offbeat comedy, categorized by naturalistic, quirky dialogueand the juxtaposition of the mundane with the bizarre. Waititi has an improvisational feel to his work, andHunt for the Wilderpeoplebenefits from this technique while keeping it subtle.
Hunt for the Wilderpeoplealso has an unforgettable cameo from Waititi himself, which is another one of the director’s hallmarks. If he isn’t playing a prominent role, as he does inJojo RabbitandWhat We Do in the Shadows,he still finds a way to show his face without this feeling like a gratuitous, ego-driven move.
A lot has been said about Waititi’s dialogue and deadpan comedy, but his eye for poetic visuals is an underrated component to his appeal. Freed from the mockumentary format ofWhat We Do in the Shadows,Waititi creates some breathtaking imagery inHunt for the Wilderpeople, often using visual metaphors to deepen the impact of his story.
