Review of Hunt for the Wilderpeople

‘So happy we found you, buddy. Sorry it took so long.’

This heartfelt Taika Waititi comedy shows a boy from the foster system (Ricky Baker) join a family. The grumpy father figure Hec reluctance to like Ricky, while ‘auntie’ Bella makes Ricky feel welcomed immediately. The plot starts after Bella’s death Ricky runs away after they try and take him back to the foster home taking his dog Tupac with him.

‘We're offering $10,000 to anyone who can capture them, dead or alive. Oh,... alive.’

Sam Neill’s acting was very convincing, only ever seeing him as inspector Campbell on Peaky Blinder I didn’t even recognise him. His grumpy arura was amusing and I think the fact that him and Ricky were both taken in by Bella is sweet. This definitely plays a factor into the reluctance. Julian Dennison (Ricky) acting was impeccable and he was able to hold his own when it came to the other actors. Every child actor that Waititi works with is great. 

Their dynamic is heartwarming and hilarious and reminds me greatly of the movie Up. Them spreading Bella’s ashes in the waterfall was a special moment that really implemented a real relationship for them. However, this is destroyed when Ricky shoots Hec in the behind and is thankfully fixed after Hec is out of prison and Ricky is adopted by a family the audience sees earlier in the movie.

‘I'll never stop running.

Yeah, and I'll never stop chasing you. I'm relentless. I'm like the Terminator.

I'm more like Terminator than you.

I said it first. You're more like Sarah Connor.

No, I'm not.

Yes. And in the first movie too, before she could do chin-ups.’

The other actors fit into their roles well and fit into the absurd humor. The agent and officer worked well being the comedic villains. The comedy works perfectly with the idea of the movie. Psycho Sam is a great comedy relief character and a great use of plot device, helping them try to escape the police after five months on the run.

The script and cinematography fitted flawlessly together. Giving New Zealand a magically look. The transitions were fantastic and were able to perfectly show time changing. This is another strong directorial feature for Taika Waititi.

‘I didn't choose the skux life; the skux life chose me.

Ricky, stop.’

#nochildleftbehind

4/5

letterboxd: izzyjames04

Father & Son movies recommendations:

Boy (2010)

Billy Elliot (2000)

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)