Review: Hunt For The Wilder People

If you saw director Taika Waititi’s previous movie hits BOY and What We Do In The Shadows you’ll probably already have your ticket ready for his lastest flick Hunt For The Wilderpeople. If you haven’t then I’m sure you will want one after watching the trailer and hearing Waititi’s take on the film.

thanks to Madman

Waititi is a genius, it’s as simple as that. While Shadows brought us a group of flamboyant vampires trying to fit into modern day life in New Zealand, Wilderpeople brings us the story of Ricky Baker a young misfit trying to find his place in the world.

thanks to Madman

‘I first fell in love with this idea in 2005. The story took on many changes and evolutions over the years, and I’ve made three features in that time,’ explained Waititi. ‘The story has a deeply New Zealand quality that I think will resonate with international viewers with its unique rural flavour. There is no place like New Zealand and no people like those who live on, within, and from the land. It is the romanticism of the dense and mystical New Zealand bush, mixed with the outlaw appeal of our rebellious and rugged heroes, that promises an adventure filled with down home guts and humour. It is truly a story of survival, kinship, hunts and man hunters, with a good old car chase thrown in for good measure.’              

Under the guidance of a slightly unhinged Social Welfare Officer Paula (Rachel House), Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison) is on his last chance before languishing in juvenile detention.

thanks to Madman

After being shunted around foster homes Paula delivers Ricky to yet another family, Aunty Bella (Rima Te Wiata) and Hec Faulkner (Sam Neil), who live way out in the bush, making it harder for him to get into trouble, or that’s the plan.

Although his foster ‘Aunty’ Bella does everything to provide a loving environment Ricky does what he knows best and runs away. However, this proves a lot harder in the dense forest where some valuable life lessons are learnt, like how not to heat a water bottle (hint it involves a camp fire).

Retrieved by the loving Bella, Ricky soon warms to family life though not to his frosty uncle Hector. When the unthinkable happens, Ricky is left alone with Hector. Hilarious misunderstandings abound and an over the top manhunt ensures meaning the two outcasts must work together to survive.

Along the way the pair run into Psycho Sam played wonderfully by who else but Rhys Darby, but it soon appears that Sam has spent a tad too long alone in the bush.

thanks to Madman

Wilderpeople is a laugh out loud, sweet tale of misfits, second chances, the power of the haiku and ultimately what constitutes family. There are several great comments about ‘the system’, like having to fill out five forms to indicate that you no longer want to fill out forms.

Sam Niel’s insular portrayal of Hector is brilliant, House is priceless as the slightly unhinged Paula, Rhys Darby is perfect as the deranged Sam, but it is actually young Dennison’s Ricky who steals the movie.

The movie was selected for Sundance 2016 and is the largest grossing local movie in NZ racking up $9.6 million in seven weeks thereby surpassing Waititi’s previous record with BOY.

Waititi adds ‘I’ve always been attracted to stories of the outsider, the rebel, those who live in the margins. I love the way this story takes two outsiders from different backgrounds, an odd couple of two loners forced to work together in a quest to stand independent and free of society’s unfair regulations. Whether they’re justified in their mission isn’t important, the mere fact they are fighting for something as simple as freedom is what appeals.’

thanks to Madman

‘In a world of apathy, where ‘sheeple’ stand for causes on Facebook rather than taking to the streets, these characters are throwbacks to the NZ heroes of old; those fighters and survivors upon whose blood sweat and tears this country was built on. We root for them because they’re giving it a go, they’re fighting the good fight. It’s these two outside characters, Hec and Ricky, who will be our guides in this world. There’s a great difference between these characters: Old meets new, age meets youth, bush meets city, Pakeha meets Moari, and wisdom meets instinct. At the end of the film we’ll have gone on a journey of mutual respect, dedication and understanding.

As I sit here still giggling I ponder …

1. The scenery was wonderful as you would expect from God’s own country and the music was ‘choice bro’.
2. It was interesting to see singer Stan Walker in his third feature role, and he gets to deliver one of the most replayed lines in the movie.
3. I hope the Australian release includes the introductory ‘turn off your phones’ message at the beginning of the movie.
4. How long do I have to wait before I can see it again?
5. Happy birthday Ricky Baker

The movie opens on May 26^th at most of the major movie chains. For more information go to The Wilderpeople and to see the trailer go to trailer.