Review: ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ is a heartfelt and hilarious comedy

Posted on July 29, 2016

By MARK VIOLA

I tend to follow movie news more than most, so it is rare that I go into a movie almost entirely cold. But that was the case with “Hunt for the Wilderpeople,” a limited release offering from New Zealand.

In fact, two days before I saw this movie, I did not even know it existed. But than I read a short piece about it and discovered that it was written and directed by Taika Waititi, who gave us the wonderful mockumentary “What We Do in the Shadows,” which followed a group of four vampires living in an apartment together.

I loved that movie after a friend recommended I watch it and once I found out the same writer and director was behind “Hunt for the Wilderpeople,” I knew I had to go see it, even though I had never seen a trailer and the only recognizable cast member was Sam Neill (“Jurassic Park”)

Although vastly different movies, “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” has the same dry humor found in “What We Do in the Shadows,” keeping the story grounded while presenting the audience with absurd situations and equally absurd characters. But what really elevates “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” is not the humor, which is indeed quite hilarious, but the heartfelt story that makes the movie a surprisingly emotional experience.

The story centers on a 15-year-old juvenile delinquent named Ricky Baker (newcomer Julian Dennison), who has been living in the foster care system his entire life. His newest home is with an older couple, Bella (Rima Te Wiata, “Sons and Daughters”) and Hec (Neill), living on the edge of the New Zealand bush.

I don’t want to spoil the story, but suffice it to say, Ricky eventually ends up lost in the bush and Hec goes in to find him. A few misunderstandings later by child services, and there is a nationwide manhunt for both Ricky and Hec, and when they discover this fact, they decide to remain
lost.

The two characters become unlikely friends and much of the movie rests on the chemistry between them. Fortunately, they really play off each other well as the wannabe teenage gangster and the grizzled loner.

I really haven’t seen Neill in much since the “Jurassic Park” movies and it was nice seeing him give a strong performance here.
Sure, we’ve seen similar dynamics before, but the spot-on humor coupled with a story that is not afraid to get emotional at times, create an experience that makes you laugh at the same time it’s tugging on your heart-strings.

Another standout in the cast is Rachel House (“Soul Mates”) as Paula, a child services agent who is very dedicated to her job. Her over-the-top antics steal just about every scene she was in.

The way Waititi is able to capture the natural beauty of the New Zealand countryside is just the icing on the proverbial cake.

This is a movie I’m sure most people, like me a week ago, have never heard of, but it is definitely an offbeat comedy worth checking out this summer.

The film is rated PG-13 for thematic elements including violent content, and for some language.

(This is a abbreviated version of the full review available in our printed or e-edition papers.)

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