MORAL OF THE MOVIE

I can’t choose between two morals, so here are both of them; 1) It is easy to dismiss someone based on first impressions and stereotypes, but it is surprising how often common ground can be found when we truly get to know one another 2) Everyone has their own way of dealing with grief, but it is best to do so together in sharing the burden rather than carrying it all yourself.

WHO I THINK WOULD MOST ENJOY THIS MOVIE

Fans of the combination of dramedy (in other words, Happy Sad cinema) will appreciate this film the most because it effectively handles both genres beautifully. Also, if your humor falls in line with comedies such as What We Do in the Shadows (2014), Thor: Ragnarok (2017), and Jojo Rabbit (2019), then you’ll have a good laugh with this one because they’re all from the same director (Taika Waititi).

ADDITIONAL NOTES/COMMENTARY

This is the second Taika Waititi movie I review with the first being Jojo Rabbit (2019). There’s a few things about Waititi’s films that consistently appeal to me and make me love his movies, but the main appealing factor is the incredible combination of comedy and drama. This combination adds a grounded sense of realism to his movies that make them feel incredibly enjoyable yet relatable. Hunt for the Wilderpeople is no exception; rather, it is one of Waititi’s films that does this most effectively. With this movie, you will get an emotional journey full of laughs, action, excitement, drama, and most importantly, heart. The chemistry between the two leads make up the film’s heart as you see the world and what’s happening through their perspective. In regards to the film’s deep message, it’s not quite something that’s new as I’m sure that you’ve seen the typical movie with the leading duo that doesn’t get along at first and then become friends later on. However, this one does so much more than that and offers a new wholesome take on the common moral against stereotyping. Overall, Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a very enjoyable movie that will give you all of the feels and provide you a fresh take on the themes of stereotyping and grief.