Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
………………………………………………………………………….
Hunt for the Wilderpeople Movie Review
Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a 2016 New Zealand adventure film directed by Taika Waititi and starring Sam Neill and Julian Dennison. It is quite a good, charming flick.
………………………………………………………………………….
“Faulkner is cauc-asian – well,
they got that wrong because you’re obviously white“
………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………….
It follows a defiant city kid who comes to live with his new family in the country, but when the woman dies, the two must escape the authorities and child welfare services through the wilderness. I didn’t find its plot particularly original. In fact, most of its parts are fairly ordinary, but the sum of the parts is somewhat interesting. But the film was very engaging and entertaining to watch, not to mention very effervescent and its strengths do not lie in the storytelling, but rather the characters and its heart.
The characters are again not that original, but they are very well realized. I really liked Aunt Bella and it was a shame that she died so soon. Uncle Hec is a typical old man who is harsh in his behavior and also not cultured (he doesn’t know how to read) and Ricky is a kid that is seemingly problematic and obnoxious, but ultimately sympathetic. Yes, we’ve seen these characters before, but the movie manages to transcend their similarity with a very good development for both of them as both of them felt real and also their relationship which is very strong and quite moving.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople is very well made, solidly acted and exceptionally well shot with some gorgeous cinematography at display. The editing is also polished as the film is well structured and consistently involving. The score is quite good and I liked that the film was divided into chapters. That book format doesn’t always work in the film environment, but here it surprisingly did work thanks to some strong editing and an excellent direction from Taika Waititi.
………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………….
I’ve seen some critics compare it to Pixar’s work and I have to disagree. Yes, its heart and charm are evidently in that terrain, but Pixar’s movies are much more original than this flick which is just sometimes inspired, but also troublesome. For example, that rare bird element is intriguing, but it doesn’t go anyway and is totally wasted. As for its genres, I found its humor to be mild and the dramatic elements are rare which is why it is to me entirely an adventure film. And there is nothing wrong with that as adventure flicks are awesome and this one is pretty good.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a very charming adventure flick that manages to transcend its somewhat familiar storyline and characters with great cinematography, excellent direction and editing, good character dynamics and some really moving moments. It isn’t inspired, but it’s always sweet and involving.
My Rating – 4
………………………………………………………………………….
