Hunt for the Wilderpeople

It is very rare to see a movie as touching and full of heart as ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’, a 2016 independent New Zealand film starring Sam Neil and Julian Dennison, directed by Taika Waititi. This film is loaded full of things for everybody to enjoy, such as beautiful cinematography, touching performances and an abundance of great jokes.

After being raised on hip-hop and foster care houses, the self-proclaimed ‘gangster’ city kid Ricky Baker gets given a clean slate and final chance in the New Zealand countryside. He soon finds himself in a home with his new foster family: the loving and outgoing Aunt Bella, the cold and reclusive Uncle Hec, and dogs Tupac and Zag. When a tragedy arises that threatens to ship Ricky off to Juvenile Prison, both he and Hec go on the run in the bush. As a national manhunt soon follows, the newly branded ‘outlaws’ must face their options: go out in a blaze of glory or overcome their differences and survive as a family.

This film is absolutely gorgeous to look at. The colors, angles, locations and settings all work together to create a luscious view of the New Zealand bush. At one stage there is even a joke comparing the films journey to that of ‘Lord of the Rings’, a joke that works both because they are walking their way slowly through the bush trying to stay ahead of danger, but also because both films were filmed in New Zealand.

All throughout the film the relationship between Ricky and Uncle Hec is built. It begins as a mutual dislike for one another. Then as circumstances would have it, the two must rely on each other for survival. Eventually the two find mutual interests, build trust and begin to genuinely care for each other. By the end of the film Hec becomes like the father Ricky never had, just as Ricky becomes the son Hec never had. This relationship is truly one of the most touching I’ve seen in a while.

The film is not a comedy and actually has some truly sad moments. However, there is still plenty of humor to be found. Some of the jokes are relevant to the situation the two are in. however some are also quite Meta and equally as funny. There is a scene wherein the antagonist confronts Ricky and compares the two to the Terminator and Sarah Conner (but the Terminator 1 Sarah Conner who couldn’t do chin-ups). As a film buff jokes like these always put a smile on my face, so I thoroughly enjoy this movie for that.

Overall this is by far one of the most touching films I have ever seen, certainly the most touching I’ve seen in 2016. The film has strong performances, great jokes and is quite visually pleasing. This is a movie that everybody must see at some stage.

Score: 10/10