Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a small Independent film from New Zealand that was well received at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and is now continuing to have rave reviews universally from critics.

The film is directed by Taika Waititi who also adapted the screenplay from the book by Barry Crump. You should practise pronouncing the name Taika Waititi a few times as we are going to hear a lot more about Waititi, who is definitely going places.

Following the success of his first mainstream hit comedy What we do in the Shadows (2014). A hilarious fly on the wall mockumentary about a group of Vampires who share a house in modern day New Zealand. Waititi has now been commissioned to direct the next Marvel movie Thor: Ragnarok (2017).

Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a charming comedy, adventure drama that will make you laugh but will also make you cry. The film covers love, death, relationships, family and a need to be wanted.

The movie opens with a young 12-year old juvenile delinquent called Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison) who is being transported by a social services agent Paula (Rachel House) and a not so bright policeman to a new Foster Parent called Aunt Bella (Rima Te Wiata) and her grumpy old husband Hec (Sam Neil).

The couple live in the middle of nowhere, in a small holding on the edge of the New Zealand Bush.

Bella is a wonderful bubbly character who welcomes Ricky and takes an instant liking to the boy. However, Ricky gets out of the police car does a slow circuit of the couple’s house and goes straight back into the car again.

Paula drags the boy out of the car (looking like Miss Trunchbull’s twin sister) and leaves him to customize himself with his new home.

Ricky likes to think of himself as a Gansta and wears a flat peaked baseball cap and brightly coloured hoodie and is also a big fan of the American rapper Tupac. A huge contrast to his new guardians.

Aunt Bella is the caring and loving Foster parent whereas her husband Hec (Neil) is a bearded dinosaur who doesn’t suffer fools gladly and would rather be out hunting boar and couldn’t care a less about the boy.

Bella does eventually get Ricky to open up and he starts to feel accepted for the first time.

However, due to a tragic incident, Hec is forced to look after the boy on his own but instead he hands Ricky back to the authorities. Naturally Ricky does a runner and heads off into the bush.

Feeling slightly responsible Hec grabs his rucksack and rifle and tracks the boy down.

In the meantime, social services think that Hec has kidnapped the boy and a massive police manhunt pursues. Hec and Ricky go on the run deeper into the bush and the film turns into a Chase movie.

From this point the film shares a strong similarity to Disney’s UP (2009) where a cantankerous old man is thrown together with a young boy and forced to get along even though they initially have nothing in common. Actor Julian Dennison even bears a resemblance to the boy scout Russell in UP with his slightly chubby appearance, and non-stop chatter and constantly being told to shut-up by the grouchy old man.

Sam Neil puts in a great performance as ill-tempered Hec who deep down has a heart of gold which just needs coaxing out. Julian Dennison is one to watch and has been given some great dialogue by Waititi and also acts out some wonderful facial expressions.

Rima Te Wiata plays Aunt Bella as a happy Mumsie character that also has another shocking practical side to her personality.

Rachel House as the over the top social services officer is a slight caricature of someone with delusions of grandeur abusing their power with her dumb policeman sidekick. But it’s all part of the overall feel of the film, as are the redneck hunters that join the manhunt.

Taika Waititi couldn’t resist casting himself in a small role as a church minister who talks in metaphor’s. Also watch out for a comedy turn from Taika’s pal Rhys Darby (Murray from Flight of the Conchords) as a crazy Bushman called Psycho Sam who the couple come across.

This is a real gem of a movie. I thoroughly recommend a viewing.

In cinemas September 16
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