Review by John Delia
The oddball film Hunt for the Wilderpeople has a couple of attributes that make it very special. First, it has a story that charms, captivates and compels viewers to watch a young boy come of age in a strange environment under the most unusual circumstances. Second, the perfect cast treats the audience with performances that work their way into your heart and never let go. If you enjoy movies that fascinate with characters changing for better or worse, than this is your cup of Zealong tea.
Young Ricky (Julian Dennison) has lost his way early in life being shuffled from one foster home after another. He hasn’t given up on himself, but tries real hard to let people know he’s around by getting into trouble. If he isn’t lighting a fire someplace, he’s spitting from a bridge onto cars motoring under it. He’s has so many ways of being disobedient that Child Welfare head Paula (Rachel House) has nearly given up on placing him in another home. That is until she gets word from Bella (Rima Te Wiata), a farmer on the edge of the New Zealand Bush, who wants to take a chance on him.
Bella’s a feisty woman herself and would like to give the boy a chance to live in a place where food, clothing and shelter isn’t bought at a big city store. Arriving at the well-worn farm, Ricky wants nothing of it. But, Paula tells Ricky “there’s no one else that wants you, okay†implying to him that it’s his last chance. Reluctantly Ricky accepts the challenge, but only after he spots Hector (Sam Neill) Bella’s husband and farm hand with a dead wild pig on his back and carrying a gun. When Child Welfare wants to take Ricky back however, Ricky runs away with Hector hot on his trail.
Director Taika Waititi takes us all on a road trip of sorts through the New Zealand Bush while introducing the wise cracking kid and a wise old man experiencing life together on the run. He mixes in some very odd situations, shows the determination of Hector to change the boy and even works magic in reverse for the old man.
Making his cameras part of the film with wide vistas of the New Zealand Bush, Waititi shows the difficulty of the two vagabonds as they traverse the thick jungle and forge streams. It may be God’s country, but there’s little help from the lord when with each scene what was a trek to turn boy into man, shows man becoming the part of the boy.
Sam Niell does a traffic job of portraying Hector the old farm hand who becomes distraught when he finds that Ricky’s run away into the thick New Zealand Bush. Although he was never in favor of taking on the boy, he realizes that sending him back will only make Ricky’s life worse off. Showing the cantankerous side of Hector and slowly changing his persona as the two make their way into the Bush, Niell’s at his best.
Fairly new to acting New Zealander Julian Dennison knows a lot about the country and fits well inside his character. He shows the damage his character has taken on being moved from between several foster parents and the rebelliousness that has taken him over. When he realizes that life offers more than just a place to hang his jacket, his Ricky starts to grow up. He and Sam Niell have a nice chemistry together and that’s what makes the movie even more exceptional.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for thematic elements including violent content, and for some language. Be cautious when deciding to allow immature children see the film as it does have some scenes that are inappropriate for youngsters.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A cool comedy about growing up. (B)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rhys Darby, Rima Te Wiata, Rachel House
Directed By: Taika Waititi
Genre: Comedy/Drama
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements including violent content, and for some language
Running Time: 1 hr. 41 min.
Release Date: July 15, 2015
Distributed by: The Orchard