Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)🌽🌽🌽🌽🍿

An off-beat coming of age, “father-son” story with the comedic style of Taika Waititi does not disappoint even the slightest bit. This movie does an excellent job of hitting the highs and lows in that signature Waititi style.

Sam Neil, as Uncle Hec, and Julian Dennison, as troubled youth Ricky Baker, make for a charming odd-couple dynamic. Their growth and chemistry pull the viewer into their story, rooting for an against all odds good ending as all of New Zealand hunts for them

There is one scene, emotional charging and crucial for the development of the main pair’s relationship that I wish didn’t exist as it made me extremely sad, but as stated above, narratively necessary.

If you like the style of Waititi (Thor Ragnarok, JoJo Rabbit) then this movie will sit quite nicely with you. If his style of humor isn’t your thing… then you probably won’t love it like I did. But I felt it had charm, heart, good acting, and even a great soundtrack.