Joblo
I had no idea Taika Waititi had a new movie at Sundance this year. Anyone wondering why WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS director Waititi was picked by Marvel to helm THOR RAGNAROK need look no further than HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE. If he rumored premise of Thor and The Hulk having a MIDNIGHT RUN-style adventure in Asgaard are true, Waititi’s selection is inspired as he brings that exact dynamic to WILDERPEOPLE, large-scale New Zealand-set adventure that seems likely to land one of the festivals biggest deals.
It's certainly been a heck of a decade for Taika Waititi. Whether it was crushing fashion with his pineapple-infused fits, creating indie and cult favourites, or making his mark on the world of blockbusters, it seemed like Taika could do no wrong in the 2010s.
And with the release of Jojo Rabbit, it's a great time to ask the question: Just what makes Waitit's brand of cinema so captivating?
Empire
Taika Waititi has had a stranger career trajectory than most. That he’s the man who’s being trusted to make Thor: Ragnarok by Marvel Studios implies a certain kind of director, but his previous film — 2014’s horror-mockumentary What We Do In The Shadows — suggests someone entirely different. And if you were surprised to see Marvel hand him such a high-profile gig, Hunt For The Wilderpeople is hardly going to make you feel differently.
We Got This Covered
Unlikely adventures are a cornerstone of any nation’s cinematic storytelling, but Waititi finds a way to make Hunt For The Wilderpeople feel fresh, invigorated, and full of Kiwi livelihood. It’s an unexpectedly exciting tale ripe with new-school-meets-old-school laughs, set to a moody score influenced by synth-y 80s classics and native drum-beating alike. Sure, Waititi navigates an obvious fish-out-of-water arc, but Dennison plays Padawan to Uncle Hec’s Master in the most hilarious of ways. Come for the goofs, stay for Waititi’s beating tribal heart, and leave understanding why Batman’s latest New Zealand pitstop was bested by two lovable bushpeople.
