Hunt for the Wilderpeople Review

Hunt for the Wilderpeople is directed by Taiki Waititi and stars Julian Dennnison, Sam Neill, Rachel House, Rhys Darby and Rima Te Waiti. New Zealand filmmaker Waititi has earned a cult following through his dry, deadpan comedy and skill behind the camera to weave jokes together. His latest is no different.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople is as charming a film as any other. Newcomer Dennison plays Ricky Baker, a juvenile delinquent in child welfare services who is taken out into the country of New Zealand to live with 'Aunt' Bella (Te Waiti) and his grumpy 'Uncle' Hec (Neill). After a tragedy, Ricky and Hec travel into the bush whilst being the targets of a nationwide man hunt. There are immediate similarities to Pixar's Up: the elderly man and a chubby kid travelling the forests with a dog, a rare bird, a feelgood ending and two main characters who both learn from the other as the story progresses. This is not a bad thing however; Waititi blends the luscious scenery of his home country with very, very funny scenes including his own belly-achingly funny cameo as a Minister, delivering the greatest sermon put to film. Elsewhere, Darby plays wild hermit 'Psycho Sam'- a conspiracy theorist who dresses as a shrub.
But at its core, Dennison and Neill imbue their characters with warmth and heart and have great screen presence together. The film's playful nods to The Lord of the Rings, Thelma & Louise, Scarface and The Terminator not only serves as comedy, but it also connects the old with the new much like the central characters. Hec at one point asks who Tupac is to which Ricky replies "he's like my best friend" which is why Ricky's dog is subsequently named Tupac. It is touching and offers Hec a moment to reflect at this once troublesome boy who is only troublesome from the neglect he's suffered and the loneliness of his life. Waititi's masterful control of the film's tone and change in tone is the real strength of the film and perhaps aided him in his position as the director of the upcoming Thor: Ragnarok.
 A "majestical" film featuring some gorgeous landscapes, Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a small, upbeat and remorselessly funny adventure film that will no doubt give it cult classic status.