Review of Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) by Brian S — 28 Dec 2016

Going from 2015s comedic, lighthearted (with a lot of bite) mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows to 2016s comedic, lighthearted coming-of-age film Hunt for the Wilderpeople, writer/director Taika Waititi has shown a versatility as a filmmaker, creating a very heartfelt, surprising and wondrous tale.

Being able to juggle a story that is more or less about loss, acceptance and moving on, Waititi deftly implements his offbeat sensibilities within the growing pains to create a world that is fantastic to be in, fun to see but grounded enough to make us care.

The ever reliable Sam Neil gives a very good, subdued, performance while teenager Julian Dennison shows nice comedic timing but doesn't lack in the dramatic department either. With a plot that pits the two in the middle of the New Zealand bush, the story is interesting, refreshing and should serve as a nice palette cleanser.

With a fantastic score (by Lukas Buda, Samuel Scott and Conrad Wedde) to listen to and nice cinematography to look at (by Lachlan Milne), Hunt for the Wilderpeople rounds out to be a great, little film to get lost in.